Michelle Gomez and Michael D. Xavier to make Royal Exchange debuts in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
The Royal Exchange Theatre has announced full casting for Stephen Sondheim’s much-loved classic A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, the penultimate production of its landmark 50th anniversary season, A Homecoming.
Leading the company is celebrated Scottish actress Michelle Gomez (Doctor Who, BBC), who takes on the iconic role of Desiree Armfeldt, the glamorous and mesmerising actress, alongside award-winning actor Michael D. Xavier (Sunset Boulevard, West End/Broadway), who will play Fredrik Egerman.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC will be directed by Artistic Director Selina Cartmell and runs from 5 December - 30 January.
Stephen Sondheim’s breathtaking classic A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is a life-affirming fairy tale for adults. In this enchanting musical, mismatched couples waltz through a series of self-delusions in search of a happy ending on the notes of Sondheim’s magical songs, including his bittersweet masterpiece ‘Send in the Clowns’. Old, young and middle-aged are equally determined and witty in this Tony award-winning musical comedy.
Artistic Director Selina Cartmell said: “Ahead of the Royal Exchange’s 50th anniversary next week, it feels hugely special to announce the cast and creatives for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, a musical which also came to life over 50 years ago. For many of us in theatre, Sondheim is a familiar and much-loved place to return to and his genre defining work continues to surprise, delight and enthrall audiences to this day, much like the Royal Exchange has done across 400 productions since its foundation in 1976. I can’t think of a more fitting way to end this milestone year than by welcoming artistic collaborators and friends, both old and new, to create this breathtaking musical comedy for our truly unique and beloved theatre space”.
Gomez and Xavier will be joined by Gillian Bevan (Cymbeline, RSC), as Madame Armfeldt, Marley Fenton (Hadestown, West End) as Henrik Egerman, Liv Andrusier (Martin Guerre, Old Vic Theatre) as Anne Egerman, Oliver Thornton (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, West End) as Count Carl-Magnus Malcom, Courtney Bowman (Kinky Boots, West End/UK & European tour) as Petra, Laura Harrison (Wicked, West End) as Countess Charlotte Malcolm, Kaya Farrugia (Kinky Boots, West End) as Fredrika Armfeldt, Esme Laudat (Just For One Day, West End) as Mrs. Anderssen (Quintet), Carolina Alegria (professional debut) as Mrs Nordstrom, Michael Robert-Lowe (Phantom of the Opera, West End) as Mr. Lindquist (Quintet), Sam Kipling (Lady Chatterley’s Lover, West End) as Mr Erlanson, Monique Young (Barnum, UK tour) as Mrs. Segstrom.
Completing the cast are David Ouch (Death Note, Barbican Theatre) and Chloe Taylor (Blood Brothers, West End/UK tour) as Ensemble.
Completing the creative team are music supervisor, music director and orchestrator Matthew Malone, choreographer Arlene Phillips, designer Francis O’Connor, lighting designer Mark Henderson, sound designer Tom Marshall, and casting director Jill Green.