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From the Producing Artistic Director

American Theater Group’s mission is to focus on new works and undeservedly neglected classics.  So you may ask, why A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC? Although it has not been done professionally in New Jersey in years and the Broadway revival closed almost 15 years ago, no one can claim it being either new or neglected. 

Keith Levenson, our Music Supervisor (who also conducted our productions of BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and last year’s production of PARADE, also directed by Hunter Foster) approached Hunter and me with a new and novel concept. Normally, ALNM is done with a cast of at least 15 actors (often more). The cast includes the ten main characters and has always been augmented by  “The Liebeslieders,” a quintet who serve as a sort of Greek chorus, commenting on the characters and story through song and staging.  The concept was to present the piece without the Quintet, having all their songs, dialogue and such performed by only the 10 characters.  And while it is orchestrated for at least nine musicians, Keith suggested doing it with only two pianos and cello. 

So while the piece may not be “new,” the approach decidedly is.  What you are seeing tonight, with the full the blessing of the authors’ estates, is the first professional production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC done this way. We hope you share our enthusiasm for the new take on the material.

And if you are in the mood for a new work, please make sure to join us in May for our next production -- CANNED GOODS by Erik Kahn, a world premiere play that tells the unknown story of the start of World War II.  It is a compelling piece of theater by a talented new playwright.

As always, we thank you for being here and supporting ATG!

James Vagias
Producing Artistic Director

The Company

Song List

ACT ONE

NIGHT WALTZ – Full Company

NOW – Fredrik

LATER – Henrik

SOON – Anne, Henrik, Fredrik

THE GLAMOROUS LIFE – Full Company

REMEMBER? – Frid, Petra, Charlotte, Carl-Magnus

YOU MUST MEET MY WIFE – Desiree, Fredrik

LIAISONS – Madame Armfeldt

IN PRAISE OF WOMAN– Carl-Magnus

EVERY DAY A LITTLE DEATH – Charlotte, Anne

A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY – Full Company

ACT TWO

THE SUN WON'T SET – Full Company

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL – Fredrik, Carl-Magnus

PERPETUAL ANTICIPATION – Charlotte, Frid, Anne, Petra

SEND IN THE CLOWNS – Desiree

THE MILLER'S SON – Petra

FINALE – Full Company

Musicians

Piano -- Mason Margut

Cello --  Samuel Quiggins

Harp -- Elaine Christy

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Kate Baldwin

Desiree Armfeldt

Kate Baldwin is a two time Tony Award and four time Drama Desk Award nominee. Broadway: Hello, Dolly! (Irene Molloy), Big Fish (Sandra Bloom), Finian’s Rainbow (Sharon McLonergan), Wonderful Town (Helen Wade), The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Off Broadway: Giant (Public), John & Jen (Keen), Superhero (2ST) Theatre: Arena Stage, Old Globe, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Huntington Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Group, Goodspeed Opera House TV: NBC “Law & Order: SVU” PBS “Live from Lincoln Center: Stephen Sondheim’s Passion" “First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb” Disney Plus “Just Beyond.” Concerts: 54 Below, Feinstein’s, Birdland, American Songbook at Lincoln Center.

Graham Rowat

Fredrik Egerman

Graham Rowat has appeared in the Broadway casts of Steve Martin’s Meteor Shower (w/ Amy Schumer), Sunset Boulevard (w/ Glenn Close), Mamma Mia, Guys and Dolls, LoveMusik, Dracula, Beauty and the Beast, and most recently, Dear Evan Hansen. Off-Broadway: The Blue Flower (Second Stage), The Boys in the Band (Transport Group), and The Minister's Wife (Lincoln Center Theater). He has appeared nationally and abroad in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (San Francisco, Detroit, Toronto), and Les Misérables (US and China). TV: Evil, Madam Secretary, Elementary, The Good Wife, Law and Order: SVU. Recordings: LoveMusik (Broadway Cast Recording), Life Begins at 8:40, Sweet Bye and Bye (PS Classics). Graham is delighted to make his ATG debut just minutes from his home in Maplewood, NJ. linktr.ee/grahamrowat

Ruth Gottschall

Madame Armfeldt

Broadway: Mary Poppins (Miss Andrew), The Music Man (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, 2000 revival), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Domina), Cabaret (1989 revival), The Goodbye Girl, Legs Diamond, Prince of Central Park, Laughing Room Only, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Other NYC theater: Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, Liza: Stepping Out at Radio City, Desert Song (New York City Opera). Recent regional theater: Annie (Hannigan), Oklahoma! (Aunt Eller), White Christmas (Martha Watson). Recent TV/Film: Blue Bloods (CBS) and A Holiday Spectacular (Hallmark Channel). ruthgottschall.com

Benjamin H. Moore

Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm

Benjamin H. Moore is thrilled to make his ATG debut! Broadway: Harmony. Tour: Les Misérables, Rent. Off-Broadway: Harmony. Favorite Regional: Maybe Happy Ending (Alliance Theatre), The First Noel (True Colors Theatre), Sister Act (PCLO & KC Starlight), Light it Up! (Cleveland Play House), Into the Woods and Mamma Mia! (City Springs Theatre). Featured soloist in Let Freedom Ring 2024, Kennedy Center. Love to my family and friends. Thanks to Clear Talent Group, casting, and creatives. All glory to God! Phil. 1:6. @mooreofthemusic.

Abby Middleton

Countess Charlotte Malcolm

Abby Middleton is so pleased to be back at ATG! Credits Include: Mrs. Phagan/Sally Slaton (Parade with ATG), Jenny (Company), Meg March (Little Women), Maggie (Lend Me a Tenor), Magnolia (Show Boat), and Ariel (The Little Mermaid ) for which she was Helen Hayes nominated. Huge thanks to Jim, Hunter, and Keith. And thank you for supporting live theatre! Website: www.abbymiddleton.com Instagram @abby.f.middleton.

Jack Dossett

Henrik Egerman

Jack Dossett is thrilled to be in his third production with American Theater Group. He previously appeared as Frankie Epps in ATG's 2023 production of PARADE. Jack has recently had the privilege of workshopping several new musicals, including TYRANTS, that premiered at The National Archives in Washington, DC. He would like to thank Michael, his parents, and his swirl for all their love and support. You can find him on social media @jack.dossett

Alyssa Wray

Petra

Alyssa Wray is a singer, actor, artist, and extremely clumsy romcom enthusiast from small town Kentucky, currently residing in NYC. You may have seen her in 2021 on ABC's American Idol where she was a finalist (Top 9). Regional: Rocky Horror Picture Show (Magenta) at Bucks County Playhouse, Rent (Maureen) at the Palace Theatre, Murder Ballad (Narrator) at Prima Theatre, Songs for a New World (Woman 1) at the Gateway Playhouse. Other favorite performing credits include her New York City debut solo show at 54 Below "Alyssa Wray: Songs that Speak to Me." Extremely grateful for my agents at DGRW, Sarah & Dave at Creative Talent Company, Link '21, and my entire family and community back home as always. Spread the light. @itsalyssawray

RJ Christian

Frid

RJ Christian, after performing as Jim Conley in ATG’s Parade, is pumped to return to the company and sing some Sondheim on a professional stage. Some favorite credits include George Bendemann (In Corpo) and Mayor Maple (An Axemas Story). RJ can be heard as MacGyver on the MacGyver the Musical cast album. As a writer, he’s contributed music and lyrics to Ratatouille: The Musical; For You, Paige; and is the co artistic director of The Hearty Meal Theatre Company. Voice by Jamon Maple, rep by Hell’s Kitchen Agency.

Tara Rajan

Fredrika Armfeldt

Tara Rajan is excited to be performing with American Theater Group. Her prior professional stage credits include “Susan Waverly” in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at Bucks County Playhouse; “Melanie” in the Off-Broadway production of The Goodbye Girl by J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company; and “Brigitta von Trapp” in The Sound of Music at Paper Mill Playhouse. Love and gratitude to Lisa Calli, Mallory Levy and DDO Kids, Rance Wright, Celeste Simone, her other teachers and coaches, and her friends and family. Instagram: tararajanny.

Lillie Langston

Anne Egerman

Lillie Langston is absolutely thrilled to be making her ATG debut! She is proud to be a recent graduate of the University of Arizona BFA Musical Theatre Program. Bear down! Lillie was most recently seen as Isabel in “Scrooge!” (Arizona Theatre Company). Massive thanks to Michael Cassara, Jim Vagias, Hunter Foster, and everyone at ATG for this incredible opportunity! @lillieglangston

Doug McLaughlin

Croatian Count/Cover

Doug McLaughlin is a resident of Hillsborough NJ and a graduate of Temple University. Favorite credits include Brudemord (Hamlet), Angels in America (Belize), A Few Good Men (Jack Ross), and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Freddie). Many thanks and immense gratitude to the great Jim Vagias, Hunter, Natalie, Rachel, Kyle, Michael Kiesling, and our amazing and gifted cast and crew. Love, now and always, to Amy, Charlee, and Teddy.😊💙 @fit.by.doug

Samantha Soybel

Cover

Samantha Soybel is excited to return to American Theater Group this season. Last season, Samantha was fortunate to be cast as Mary Phagan in ATG’s production of Parade, directed by Hunter Foster. She is currently a high school senior, attending both Hillsborough High School and Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School where she is a vocal major in the Theater Arts program. Other past roles include Bea in Something Rotten at Hillsborough High School, and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde the Musical, also at HHS.

Hunter Foster

Director

Hunter Foster is an award winning Director, Actor, Writer and is currently the Artistic Director for the Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA. His most recent directing credits include The Bridges of Madison County for the Axelrod Performing Arts Center starring Kate Baldwin and Aaron Lazar; the regional premier of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at the Bucks County Playhouse; and Parade at American Theater Group. In 2018, he directed The Other Josh Cohen off-Broadway at the West Side Theatre in NYC, and was named “Director of the Year” by the Wall Street Journal for his productions of 42nd Street at the Bucks County Playhouse, and The Drowsy Chaperone at the Goodspeed Opera House. He is also the creator, co-writer and original director of the play, Clue, which has become one of the most produced plays in the U.S. As an actor, he has appeared on Broadway in The Bridges of Madison County, Hands on a Hardbody, The Million Dollar Quartet, The Producers, Little Shop of Horrors (Tony Nomination), Urinetown, Footloose, Les Miserables, King David, Pump Boys & Dinettes and Grease.

Rachel Sabo-Hedges

Associate Director

Rachel Sabo-Hedges (she/they) is a director, associate director, and actor with a passion for new works and making old works new again. She is thrilled to be joining Hunter Foster again for this re-working of A Little Night Music! Assoc. Dir.: (Rocky Horror @ Bucks County Playhouse Starring Frankie Grande, Bridges of Madison County with Kate Baldwin and Aaron Lazar, Parade @ American Theater Group with Megan McGinnis). Director: Bad Jews w/ColLab NYC, So This Happened w/TheaterLab, Bark and Breakdown web series, Talkback by Derek Davidson.

Keith Levenson

Music Supervisor

Broadway: Annie, Chess, Dreamgirls, and Grease. National Tours: Annie, Bridges of Madison County, Jesus Christ Superstar. Currently Music Director/Arranger for The Who”. Thanks to Hunter, Jim and ATG for making magic .

Mason Margut

Musical Director

Mason is a pianist and composer based in New York City. A sought-after collaborator, Margut has performed at venues including 54 Below, Birdland Jazz Club, the Ravinia Festival, Chelsea Table & Stage, Green Room 42, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, and the Savannah Music Festival. Additionally, Margut is a staff accompanist at New York University. Film/TV credits include “A Friend of the Family” (Peacock) and composing the score of the film “Free Time” (5th Floor Pictures), released in spring 2024. Margut holds a Master’s degree from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.

Caitlin Belcik

Choreographer

Caitlin Belcik is thrilled to be returning to ATG after choreographing Parade last season. Caitlin is a NYC-based performer and choreographer. Recent choreography credits include: Sugar (Off-Broadway), Seesaw (Off-Broadway), The Baker’s Wife (Off-Broadway), And the World Goes ‘Round (Tap Chor, New London Barn Playhouse), All Shook Up (Dir/Chor, CLOC). As a performer, Caitlin has been seen on Broadway and in 30+ regional productions including at Bucks County Playhouse, MTWichita, Lyric Theatre of OK, NYGASP. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Penn State University and her MA in Nonprofit Leadership from Oklahoma City University. @cebelcik

Natalie Jones

Production Stage Manager

Natalie Jones is a multihyphenate theatre artist based in NYC. Previous stage management credits include: Entertaining Mr. Sloane (Annabel Capper), Right to be Forgotten (American Theater Group), Wine in the Wilderness (Two River Theater), Sistas the Musical (Off-Broadway), Marguerite (starring Tony winner Cady Huffman), In The Bleak Midwinter (produced, written by, and starring Emmy winner Dorothy Lyman), Elvira: The Immigration Play (Collaboraction Theater), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Suffolk Theater), and Ebenezer (Resorts Casino), among others. In addition to her stage management work, Natalie is a Kennedy Center-recognized performer and director as well as an accomplished teaching artist and dialect coach.

Douglas Macur

Lighting Designer

Douglas a freelance Lighting & Projection Designer and Associate Professor of Lighting, Projection, & Scenic Design at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. Recent design credits include: American Theater Group (The Right to be Forgotten, The Evolution of (Henry) Mann, Bridges of Madison County), Tri-Cities Opera (Faust, An Italian Girl in Algiers), Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (No No Boy, A Dream Of Red Pavilions), Crossroads Theatre (College Colors), Kitchen Table Works Theatre (Birdbath), 59E59 Theatres (Lift), Signature Theatre (Incident At Vichy). MFA, University of Missouri – Kansas City. BA, Binghamton University. Please view more of his work at www.douglasmacurdesign.com.

Nicole V. Moody

Costume Designer

Select design credits: A Syracuse Christmas Carol, Rent- Redhouse Theatre, The Other Josh Cohen- Off B'way, Guys and Dolls, Our Town- Aspen Theatre, Ain’t Misbevahin’, Clue- Cape Playhouse, A Connecticut Christmas Carol- Goodspeed Musicals, White Christmas, 42nd Street, Clue, Guys and Dolls, The Buddy Holly Story, Steel Magnolias, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Summer of ’42, Mame, It’s a Wonderful Life; a Radio Play, A Grand Night for Singing, Barefoot in the Park- BCP, Arsenic and Old Lace, The 39 Steps, Avenue Q- CFRT, Cracked (World Premiere)- American Theatre Dance Workshop, Love, Loss and What I Wore- NYC, Chicago Tour, Asolo Rep, Films: Dead Light Glory (Short Indie), Hungry for Gold- IOC.

Miles Austin

Sound Designer

Miles Austin is a sound engineer based out of Northern NJ. With a BA in music from William Paterson University, Miles has had the pleasure of working with a variety of clients, ranging from international touring artists, to corporate AV, theater, Audible, and anything in between. He loves travelling to new destinations to help bring shows to life around the world, reveling in the smiling faces of the audience. Miles also proudly endorses sE Electronics microphones.

Seth Howard

Scenic Designer

Seth is a freelance scenic designer based out of St. Louis, MO. He has designed many regional productions and themed experiences across the country. Some of his design credits include School of Rock and Ragtime (Columbus Children’s Theatre); The Mountaintop and Deathtrap (Constellation Stage & Screen); Jersey Boys (Theatre Aspen); Once on This Island (Charleston Stage); Princess and Frog and The Wiz Jr. (The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati); Topdog/Underdog (Palm Beach Dramaworks); The Addams Family and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre). Check out @sethhowarddesigns on social media. www.sethhowarddesigns.com

Dani Pietrowski

Properties

Dani has worked with ATG, Writers Theatre of NJ, Centenary Stage Co., NJ Rep, Luna Stage, The Sheen Center, Passage Theatre, Shadowland Stages, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Premiere Stages, The Bickford, Notre Dame & Ewing High Schools, and The NJ Governors’ School of the Arts. She has stage managed, directed, designed sets and props, danced, acted and has even sung with a rock band! Dani is happily married to director/actor/playwright John Pietrowski.

Benjamin Merrick

Technical Director

Ben is the Technical Director and Head of Technology for Montclair State University's Department of Theatre and Dance. This is his seventh project with ATG. Previous projects included Right to be Forgotten, Parade, The Evolution of (Henry) Mann, Till, Bridges of Madison County, and A Good Farmer. He has worked as Technical Director, Technical Supervisor, and Production Manger on a project basis for MA YO Performing Arts Center, New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and New Jersey Youth Theatre over the past 10 years. He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama in Technical Design and Production, and a BA from Pomona College. Outside of theatre, Ben is raising three daughters and two dogs with his wife Alison.

Kyle Binkley

Assistant Stage Manager

Kyle is thrilled to be returning to American Theater Group after working on “Parade” last season. Kyle is an alumnus of Arcadia University, where he earned a BA in Theatre Arts. In addition to stage management, he can also regularly be found performing onstage. Kyle is the current Theatrical Production Stage Manager for a brand new production titled “The Last Match: A Pro-Wrestling Rock Experience” which will be debuting a North American tour in April 2024. Insta: kyle_binkley

Catherine Murphy

Production Manager

Cat is delighted to be working with American Theater Group again on this production of A Little Night Music. Many thanks to an amazing cast and crew and to my family.

Michael Cassara, CSA

Casting Director

Michael is currently casting the long-awaited Broadway premiere of Forbidden Broadway, which he has also cast off-Broadway for many years. Other recent credits include Mr. Holland's Opus (Ogunquit Playhouse, world premiere, dir. BD Wong), An American In Paris (international tour, dir. Christopher Wheeldon), The Mad Ones (Prospect Theater Company, dir. Stephen Brackett), Spamilton (NYC/Chicago/Pittsburgh CLO/tour), Gigantic (Vineyard Theatre, dir. Scott Schwartz). Hundreds of regional theatre productions (including 14 productions for American Theater Group). Resident casting director for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) since 2013. Member, Casting Society of America (CSA) and 3-time Artios Award nominee. BFA, Otterbein University. MichaelCassara.net / @michaelcassara

Shelby Zimmerman

Casting Intern

Mai An Le

Backstage Crew Intern

Mai An Le (Intern) is excited to be a part of her first ATG production. She is a shared time theater arts student at Somerset County VoTech and Hillsborough High School. Big thanks to her friends, family, and the ATG team for their support.

Donors

American Theater Group could not exist without          those who have given generously to support quality live theater. We are profoundly grateful to them for their faith and support. If you wish to support ATG, please click here.

or send your gift to:

American Theater Group

c/o  57 Farms Road Circle

East Brunswick, NJ 08816

ABOUT AMERICAN THEATER GROUP

American Theater Group (ATG), founded in 2012, produces new and classic works primarily by American playwrights with an emphasis on the development of new works and the rediscovery of undeservedly neglected older ones. It also provides quality arts-in-education initiatives, including its annual Drama Fest for high school students and its PlayLab program for BIPOC and queer playwrights. ATG programming is made possible in part by an American Rescue Plan Act grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support general operating expenses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.. Programming also made possible by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. More information can be found at www.americantheatergroup.org.

Acknowledgments:

American Theater Group would like to offer special thanks to Deanna Hunt, Travis Head and the dedicated staff of the Hamilton Stage. 

      A special thank you to Jaye Barre and Trilogy Repertory Company and Centenary Stage Company.

ATG would like to acknowledge that we are on land originally occupied by the Lenape people

Coming May 9-19th

Don't miss this world premiere play, a harrowing account of the  secret incident
which launched WWII

May 9-12th 
Hamilton Stage, Rahway, NJ

Click for Tickets

May 16-19th   
Sieminski Theater, Basking Ridge, NJ

Click for Tickets

BUY NOW AND USE CODE CANNED30

FOR SPECIALLY-PRICED $30 SEATS. 

OFFER EXPIRES MARCH 31, 2024

SAVE THE DATE!

2024 ATG Gala Honoring Tony Award-Winner Michele Pawk

Sunday, June 2nd  Hamilton Stage, Rahway, NJ

Details to follow