A Little Night Music Sells Out First Two Shows!

This weekend we were overwhelmed by the wonderful response from our first two audiences. Not only did we sell out both performances of Stephen Sondheim’s sweeping musical, A Little Night Music, we were humbled to receive accolades about the performers, the musicians, the lighting design, and the set.

Regarding this last point, one question that was oft-repeated was, “Where did you get all those white birch trees?” It was hard to give away the truthful answer: “From the mind of our set designer, Paula Anderson.”

Ms. Anderson acquired her BA in Art from Roger Williams University in her hometown of Bristol, R.I., and has painted sets for Trinity Repertory theatre in Providence, R.I. For years she worked in graphic design at Hasbro toys. Currently, she is undertaking the Alternative Route to Certification (ARC) program in order to teach art in CT schools, grades K-12.

So when confronted with the prospect of simply finding white birches and chopping them down — trees that are integral to the play’s Swedish setting — Ms. Anderson opted to construct them instead using her vast artistic prowess and experience.

She sculpted 18 trees for the set, each rising to heights of approximately 16 feet. According to Ms. Anderson, each tree took seven hours to flesh out, for a grand total of 126 hours spent on the trees alone. Not bad, considering she still had the rest of the set to contend with!

“Each tree is unique and designed with a specific purpose in mind,” said Ms. Anderson. “We started with a wood base and an armature made of rolled hardware cloth…like wire fencing…in a D-shape. They aren’t cylindrical. I put newspaper over the cloth and wound masking tape around that, followed by starched muslin over the newspaper. The finishing touch is a liquid corn starch. Over that, we primed it with gesso and simply painted.”

Well, the recipe fooled our audiences and it nearly fooled us. And when you see how perfectly these sculptures complement the space: 18 actors, the moving turntable, the soft lighting, and the turn of the century setting, you’ll see how Ms. Anderson’s set is truly a work of art.

“The stage for this show is meant to be very ethereal,” said Ms. Anderson. “We wanted to have the action taking place in a space that allows the trees to ‘bloom’ without eclipsing the actors. The birch trees were important as they’re indicative of Sweden and the midsummer nights in which the sun doesn’t set.”

Speaking of set, please come see Ms. Anderson’s masterwork and the current masterpiece put forth by Director Bradford Blake, Musical Director Charles Smith, and of course, legendary composer, Stephen Sondheim.

A Little Night Music runs until October 25th and Saturdays are filling up fast. Please make your reservations here today!

TheatreWorks New Milford Offers You a Free Night of
Theatre on October 16!

On Thursday, October 16th, at 8:00 p.m., TheatreWorks New Milford is taking part in the National Free Night of Theatre 2008. So what does this mean to you? Simply that you’ll have an opportunity to introduce friends (maybe some who’ve never even been to TheatreWorks…or the theatre) to see A Little Night Music — absolutely free of charge.

What Is It?
Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the not-for-profit American theatre, developed this exciting and innovative national audience development initiative to attract new audiences and raise public awareness about live theatre.

Why should I go?
It’s free! And it’s a great way to introduce (or re-introduce) yourself, a friend, or a loved one to the excitement of the performing arts. This is the first year TheatreWorks New Milford is taking part in this bold, cultural nationwide program. On the night of October 16th, we’ll be joining approximately 750 theatres in the country in over 100 cities (including Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, and New York) to offer theatergoers and potential theatergoers the ability to discover why a trip to the theatre is more than just “a night out”; it’s an all-out experience that requires all your senses, opens your mind, lightens your heart, and tickles your funny bone.

How do I get tickets?
Tickets will be available starting October 2nd. Once they’re available, just follow these steps:

• Go to www.freenightoftheatre.net.
  
• Click on FIND A SHOW.
  
• You’ll see a pull-down menu. Click and scroll down to CONNECTICUT   
  (STATEWIDE) then click on FIND A SHOW.
  
• You’ll see all the shows in CT that are part of the program. Scroll down until you
  see A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THEATREWORKS NEW MILFORD. Then, click  
  on DETAILS.
  
• When you get to the DETAILS page, at the bottom, click on the RESERVE TICKETS link to get your free tickets.

Please don’t let this once-in-a-year experience pass you by! Check out www.freenightoftheatre.net now and get your tickets when they go on sale on October 2nd.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is being run by Theatre Communications Group, not TheatreWorks New Milford. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THEATREWORKS TO ACQUIRE TICKETS FOR THIS SPECIAL FREE PERFORMANCE. But always feel free to e-mail us at info@theatreworks.us if you have questions.

Current Production September 26, 27, October 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 Friday & Saturday 8:00 PM Sunday 2:00 PM TheatreWorks, 5 Brookside Ave. (Next to CVS - Rt. 202) $26.00 - Reserved Seating

A Little Party for A Little Night Music Is Sunday, October 12th…and You’re Invited!

Join us for free cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, raffle gifts, and a cast & crew meet-and-greet at Homeward Bound, 20 Bank Street, New Milford, right after the 2:00 p.m. matinee performance of A Little Night Music at TheatreWorks New Milford (5 Brookside Ave., New Milford).

As a valued TheatreWorks patron, we wanted to extend this invitation to you to celebrate the run of Stephen Sondheim’s glorious Tony Award-winning musical, running at TheatreWorks through October 25th. You’re invited to attend our 2:00 p.m. show on October 12th, and then join us after the show, at 5:00 p.m., to rub elbows with our cast and crew at one of the area's most exclusive providers of sophisticated interior fashions — Homeward Bound. It's a wonderful opportunity to experience exquisite art, culture, and design…right in your own backyard!

Click Here to purchase tickets to A Little Night Music
or call (860) 350-6863.

To RSVP for the free after-show reception, please e-mail Jan King at jking@theatreworks.us.

PLEASE CONTACT THE THEATRE IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND THE SHOW. RESERVATIONS FOR THE RECEPTION ARE TO BE MADE ONLY WITH JAN KING VIA E-MAIL. THANK YOU.