Toby Kidd and Rachel Hirsch perform in 'A Little Night Music,' Nov. 3 and 4.

A little Sondheim
by NAU Opera and Theater

Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, featuring the popular ballad Send in the Clowns, will be performed Nov. 3 and 4 in Ardrey Auditorium.

The musical theater piece will combine the talents of NAU Opera director Nando Schellen and Barbara-Jo Maier, assistant professor of theater.

The two will co-direct the performance.

"I'm very excited that, finally, the theater and opera departments have found a collaboration," Schellen said.

The production will be performed by a cast of 16 singers, consisting of NAU vocal majors and theater majors as well as Jean Ann Foley, associate professor of education.

A Little Night Music will be performed with the NAU Instrumental Ensemble, conducted by Nathan Lambert, graduate student of music. Costume design will be done by Manuela Needhammer. Set design will be by emeritus theater chair Timothy Bryson, with lighting design by Janice Gary.

"This is a mild comedy about how clumsy and hypocritical we are in our own love relationships," Schellen said. "It's very entertaining, at times immensely funny and at other times touching, even painful."

Schellen will offer a 15-minute lecture about Sondheim and A Little Night Music, starting 45 minutes before each performance.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 and 2 p.m. Nov. 4 in Ardrey Auditorium. Tickets cost $22.50 for adults, $18.50 for seniors, $10.50 for faculty and staff (NAU and Coconino Community College) and $8 for students and children. For tickets, call the Central Ticketing box office at (928) 523-5661.