I love Bernadette Peters but don't know a thing about the Broadway play "A Little Light Music". Besides being a musical.....is this a drama, a comedy, a love story ?? I want to see shows that are uplifting, no downers. Would love to hear from anyone who knows the plot. Thanks

It's a musical that's not automatically categorized. It's definitely not a downer, but not quite a comedy in the normal sense of the word. I guess you could say it's uplifting. In any event, it's one of Stephen Sondheim's best creations, but I have a feeling that you might not know who Stephen Sondheim is. The musical is based on the Swedish film Smiles of a Summer Night.
Most critics have said the show is better with Peters and Elaine Stritch in the leads than when Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury were the stars.

It's "A Little Night Music", by the way. (Don't think Sondheim writes much light music.)

We saw it in June with the previous cast, and really enjoyed it. A bit bittersweet, but NOT a downer.

I like the descriptions on this website:
http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/s...php?t=litt9131

~Liz

It's an ironic and comedic romance based on a famous Swedish film by Ingmar Bergman (yes, he did do comedy too).

Bernadette peters and Elaine Stritch are divine. I saw the play last week. Couldn't recommend it more.

Agree 100% with elberko. It has it's comedic moments, but is dramatic. I really enjoyed it.

Saw the show last week and it was good,but not great. The song "Send in the Clowns" is part of the score. Both Bernadette Peters and Elaine Strtch are excellent, but at nearly 3 hours, it does run too long.

Thank you for your remarks. I think I may pass and see a show more entertaining, leaning towards Wicked.

Stephen Sondheim's shows are wonderful, but admittedly, he's an acquired taste, and since you're not familiar with his work, you probably are making a wise decision.
Still, let's not leave the wrong impression. A Little Night Music is indeed entertaining!

Depending on when you're coming Wicked may not be an option, especially if you are coming in the near future. It's a constant sell out, and you often have to pay above-list price for tickets if you want something less than 3 or 4 months in advance. I'd expand my horizons if you don't want Sondheim.

Well there's certainly no comparison between Wicked and Night Music -- totally different. Agree with Doug, Wicked tix are hard to get. I saw Night Music with previous cast and loved it. If you're looking for the big song and dance, happy, happy kind of show, consider In The Heights. Wonderful!

I think In The Heights in wonderful, too, but though structured like a traditional musical, the music itself is anything but (it has a real hip-hop feel to it). I like it, but it is not to everyone's taste.

If you want something more traditional, perhaps Promises Promises or the forthcoming Anything Goes (a revival starring Sutton Foster). I'd recommend West Side Story, but it may be too much of a downer for you, despite the rapturous score and great dancing.

FYI: All Broadway musicals are about 2-1/2 to 3 hours long. They just don't come shorter except in rare instances. And some are even longer than 3 hours. If you can't sit that long, a musical might not be for you. Even Mama Mia is almost 3 hours long.