One thing that I will say in favor of Night Music and its effect on audiences: A number of the times I've seen it, the audience has broken into seemingly very spontaneous applause when Desiree and Fredrik kiss after Fredrik says, "You and me and, of course, Fredrika?" Of course, "Send in the Clowns" in the orchestra helps, but it often starts before the welling up of the orchestra gets big. Fredrik barely finishes his line and 1,500 people start applauding as one. Audiences often seem very happy, spontaneously happy, when they finally get together.
Funny but in 1973 a number of the critics complained about a lack of direct emotion in the show, but despite the things that I wish were different about the show, it gets to me there, too. |
