The OU School of Musical Theatre will present a Tony Award-winning play directed by a Broadway veteran this weekend.

Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Sondheim's musical, "A Little Night Music," opens at 8 p.m. Friday in the Rupel Jones Theatre.

Erick Devine, guest director, has appeared on Broadway in "Ragtime" and "Cats."

A Tulsa University graduate, Devine's directing credits include "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," "Once Upon a Mattress" and "Candide."

For the production of "A Little Night Music," Devine left the world of professional theater and traveled to the land of the Sooners to direct actors-in-training.

Devine said the only difference between professional actors and acting students is their experience in the theater.

"The talent level here is no different from what you'd find in New York," he said.

"A Little Night Music" is based on the Ingrid Bergman film "Smiles of a Summer Night."

The play tells the story of middle-aged Fredrik, his teenage bride, Anne and Fredrik's son, Henrik, who is in love with his stepmother.

Add in a count and his wife and mistress, who was Fredrik's former lover, and sexual misadventures abound.

Despite the risque subject matter, Devine describes the production as elegant.

"That's what I'm striving for in lights, costumes and sets," Devine said.

The musical is character-driven, Devine said.

"I'm encouraging the actors to really bring complexity to the characters," he said. "The comedy should come from the character, not the situation."

Devine said sharing his wealth of theatrical knowledge with students is something he finds fun and exciting, but also challenging.

The actors feel this challenge to create comedy, said Tyrone Palmer, who plays Fredrik, the main character.

"Comedy is very hard," he said. "Fredrik is really the axis of the play. The story revolves around his character, so I am kind of feeling the pressure."

The characters drive the production, but Sondheim's score makes the audience's theater journey memorable.

"The music and lyrics are glorious, stunning," Devine said.

One of the songs from "A Little Night Music" that may sound familiar is "Send in the Clowns."

The singing in this production differs from many other musicals because it is very operatic, said Mariann Cook, "A Little Night Music" musical director.

"It's sung in legitimate musical theater and not with the affectation you see so often in musical theater," Cook said.

Sondheim also wrote the music for the musicals "West Side Story" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Palmer said he is very proud to have the chance to play a role in a Sondheim production.

"I love Sondheim," he said. "It's a privilege (to produce this musical), especially in a college situation. Hopefully we'll be able to do it justice."

The Rupel Jones Theatre is inside the Fine Arts Center, which is at the corner of Elm Street and Boyd Street.

Performances of "A Little Night Music" are scheduled for two consecutive weekends at Rupel Jones Theatre.

Evening performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 25, 26 and 31, and Nov. 1 and 2.

Sunday matinees are scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 27 and Nov. 3.

Ticket prices for "A Little Night Music" are $17 adults, $15 OU faculty/staff and senior adults and $11 students.

To purchase tickets, call the Fine Arts box office at (405) 325-4101.
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