Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended

"...The heart of this production, though, lies in its two-person scenes — especially between Cochran and Weir, but throughout its landscape, really. Sondheim nuts will know that it is rare indeed to see a true chamber production of one of his works performed and produced at such a level. It makes you never want to see this show on a large stage; then again, it always seems to surprise and pleasure most everywhere its tent of fools gets erected."
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Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended

"... With a sublime cast under the impeccably nuanced, worldly-wise direction of William Brown —and singing, accompanied by a quintet of onstage musicians that is heard in the most ear-caressing acoustic mode —Sondheim’s 1973 musical (with a book by Hugh Wheeler inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s film, “Smiles of a Summer Night”), is entrancing on all counts."
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Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended

"...Wry and earthy as aging actress Desiree Armfeldt, Shannon Cochran scrapes away the sentimental sediment found in so many versions of "Send in the Clowns;" and her playful sparring with Jonathan Weir as Desiree's choleric, nearly self-loathing former lover Frederik suggests that the pair can still surprise each other. Tiffany Scott's Countess Charlotte Malcolm lands bons mots like hand grenades, Brianna Borger nails "The Miller's Son"—so to speak—as Petra, and an instrumental quintet keeps the lush timbres of Sondheim's score in near-perfect balance."
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NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended

"... The luxurious casting includes Tony Award-winner Deanna Dunagan as matriarch Madame Armfeldt, who gives tender poignancy to her explanations of the three smiles of a summer-night monologue and has a wonderful chemistry with her granddaughter (Shannon Corey). Often squandered away as a comic role, when Dunagan speaks of the loves of her youth, we are delightfully transported to these earlier eras of her life."
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Time Out Chicago - Recommended

"...Brown’s attempts to downscale Wheeler and Sondheim’s grand, enchanting weekend in the country are mostly successful. The director eliminates the lieder-singer quintet, giving its choral duties to doubling cast members or, in some cases, to the main characters (with the result of some occasional lyrical confusion), while a five-piece band, working from new orchestrations by Malcolm Ruhl, fills the intimate space nicely. Among the supporting cast, knife-sharp Tiffany Scott stands out as the cynical, long-suffering wife of Desiree’s brutish lover Carl-Magnus (Brandon Dahlquist). Dunagan takes an unexpected tack with the usually brusque Madame Armfeldt, trading cynicism for beguilement; she seems perpetually on the verge of a smile herself."
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Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended

"...What is good about specific characters in this production is very good indeed. What’s really hard about “A Little Night Music” is filling its every musical nook and cranny with singers who consistently hit Sondheim’s precise marks, and that’s where Writers’ enterprise runs into problems. The opening ensemble number, “Remember,” which sets the tone of the story to follow, scarcely qualified as ensemble singing at all on opening night. On the brighter side, a tiny accompanying band of violin, cello, harp and five woodwinds (all played by Sean McNeely) – with music director Valerie Maze presiding from the piano – offered an instrumental backdrop of surprising rewards."
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Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended

"...The production is spot-on in its casting. Area theatergoers will be familiar with the three featured performers—Jonathan Weir as Fredrik, Shannon Cochran as Desiree, and Deanna Dunagan as Madame Armfeldt, and they do not disappoint. Weir is best known as a classical actor but he displays a surprisingly strong voice to enhance his portrait of the beleaguered Fredrik, dealing simultaneously with a kittenish wife less than half his age and a son roiling with turbulent emotions. Cochran fits Desiree’s personality to perfection, a woman in early middle-age who has seen much and done much, droll and very delightful. Her yearning and expressive take on “Send In the Clowns” is a production highlight. I’ve seen more acerbic Madame Armfeldt’s than Dunagan’s portrayal, but the actress deftly conveys the old woman’s imperious nature, cynicism, and urbanity."
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ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended

"...Writers’ Theatre creative prowess and strong attention to production values gives their production of A Little Night Music the elegance and presence that exudes enough charm to warm the soul. Writers’ A Little Night Music is a major tour de force not only for Jonathan Weir but for the production itself. This may be the finest production of Sondheim’s chamber operetta yet to be mounted on a Chicago stage! This gorgeous work begs to be seen. You’ll not hear finer singing anywhere."
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Chicago Stage Standard - Highly Recommended

"... Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening is the thrilling vocal and acting work of Jonathan Weir as the old cuckold Fredrik Egerman. Weir's lustrous voice is in such fine form you may wonder why he doesn't show it off more often. And his insecurities and marital frustrations are completely convincing and sympathetic. There isn't a weak link in the cast, with especially ribald and droll work from Brandon Dahlquist as the vain dragoon and Tiffany Scott as his vengeful, maligned spouse. Music Director Valerie Maze leads a stellar onstage chamber orchestra, with Music Supervision accredited to Roberta Duchak. The immaculate diction of the unamplified voices is truly an art to behold. Writers' "Night Music" is a masterpiece by every definition of the word. My advice is to lock your tickets in now. It is an absolute must-see for all musical theatre fans, and hopefully a few converts as well."

Chicago Now - Highly Recommended

"...This cast is a fun-loving bunch. The humor is at the forefront of every movement. Among the witty barbs, a few characters stood out in their absurdity. A hilarious Deanna Dunagan (Madame Armfeldt) crackles with lunatic advice to her grand daughter. Brandon Dahlquist (Carl-Magnus) lampoons it up with a riotous over-the-top performance. Tiffany Scott (Charlotte) deadpans zingers about her husband’s absurdities."
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Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended

"... Writers’ Theatre is a wonderful company that continues to bring solid productions to the North Shore, bot at Tudor and at their smaller space in the back of the Books On Vernon shop in “downtown” Glencoe. If you have never been to one of their productions, this might be the perfect opportunity for you to spread your wings and take the trip- Glencoe is easy to get to and Writer’s makes it worth the trip."
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Huffington Post - Highly Recommended

"... There's something magical happening up in Glencoe, Ill. It's a sparkling new production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's 1973 musical, A Little Night Music -- a sophisticated, romantic comedy set in 20th century Sweden about mismatched pairs who, through a mix of fate peppered with manipulation, waltz into the arms of their ideal lovers."
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