Katie Kress ’25
Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music won four Tony Awards and features the haunting, beloved classic “Send in the Clowns,” but it’s much more than that, says Katie Kress ’25.
“It takes distasteful and melancholy truths about human nature and wraps them into an entertaining, musically intricate love story,” she says. “It will make you laugh, it may make you cry, but it will definitely make you think.”
The complexity of the plot presents unique challenges for the cast. Set in Sweden in 1900, the story follows actress Desiree Armfeldt’s affairs with two married men: lawyer Frederik Egerman and Carl-Magnus Malcolm. This complicated love story explores the tangled nature of human relationships.
“The plot feels like one giant puzzle box that we all decode together as rehearsal goes on,” says Kress, who plays Petra, an earthy, brash, and bold maidservant.
Director Brad Frenette enjoys watching the actors take ownership of their characters. “My favorite thing about directing this production,” he says, “has been seeing the choices and insight that each performer brings to their character.”
Portraying characters from different locations and time periods requires significant research and dedication. Kress says she often has to write out Petra’s morals and opinions to analyze and motivate her decisions in a scene.
The production, adapted from Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night, features students from many majors and showcases talents from up and down The Hill.
Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music — adapted from Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night — directed by Brad Frenette, with Kevin Wines as music director, will play at the Eisner Center’s Sharon Martin Hall in early December. Tickets are free but required for these performances and are available at artsatdenison.ludus.com.
Performance dates and times are as follows:
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
- 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
- 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7