ATG is thrilled to present Broadway luminary Kate Baldwin as Desiree Armfeldt and Broadway and television actor Graham Rowat as Fredrik Egerman in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. Kate received a Tony nomination for her role as Irene Molloy opposite Bette Midler in the 2017 Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! and another for her role as Sharon McLonergan in the 2009 Broadway revival of Finian’s Rainbow. She also originated the role of Sandra Bloom in Big Fish on Broadway in 2013. Graham’s Broadway credits include Dear Evan Hansen, Sunset Boulevard and Guys and Dolls and he has been seen on television in Madam Secretary, Law & Order, Evil and Elementary.

Kate and Graham met in 2003 in a production of 1776 at Ford’s Theater in Washington, DC. She played Martha Jefferson, while he was Richard Henry Lee. Their time offstage during the show’s lengthy second act lead to a full-time romance outside of the theatre. The two have been married since 2005.

Ten years ago, they starred in a production of A Little Night Music playing a different couple — Charlotte Malcolm and Carl-Magnus Malcolm — the jealous married pair who wreak havoc on Desiree and Fredrik’s weekend in the country.

“It was a wonderful experience to explore the magnificent score and one of the best books ever written for a musical,’ remembered Kate. “One of the beauties of this show for women is that there is a significant role to play at each stage of a woman’s life, so I’m excited to tackle the next role in that progression.”  The role of Fredrik appealed to Graham even back then. He realized it would provide an opportunity to play a character that was both comedic and dramatic.

Fast forward to 2023 to when ATG’s Producing Artistic Director Jim Vagias approached Kate about the role of Desiree after seeing her in The Bridges of Madison County, directed by Hunter Foster, who directed ATG’s production of Parade and is slated to direct ALNM.

Jim and Hunter proposed a new approach to this classic musical. “I hope this compressed version will be fast-moving and electric. We want to allow modern audiences to feel more viscerally connected to the characters and situations,” noted Kate.

The deal was sealed when Graham was offered the role of Fredrik, which will allow them to work together near their NJ home and be close by for their 12-year-old son. They have performed at Paper Mill Playhouse, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and Two River Theatre so they know how gratifying it is to perform for their “non-theater” friends in their local communities. “Both of us cherish our local theaters. We are happy to help stoke pride in our community and invite friends and neighbors to see a high caliber show without the expense associated with attending a Broadway show,” said Kate.

The pair believe that ALNM has broad appeal to many as it addresses “the paths not taken,” noted Graham. “We often wonder, what would life be like if I had chosen something -- or someone -- different. While young Henrik sees the world as distinctly right or wrong, moral or immoral, serious or superfluous, I think Fredrik believes it is better to laugh at the illusion of trying to live the perfect life with no ambiguities.”  He notes how excited he is to work with Hunter for the first time, and for the opportunity to work with Kate as part of this highly anticipated project, especially given the popularity and appreciation of Sondheim’s work since his passing.

A Little Night Music features Sondheim’s most famous song “Send in the Clowns” which has been recorded by Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. Kate’s first experience with it was as a student at Northwestern University.  Her professor asked if she would step in at the last minute to sing it at a Sondheim Revue after a faculty voice teacher had to drop out.

“I was terrified,” she remembered. “The song is sung by a woman looking back on her life experience with heartache and regret. I was only 21 and had my whole life ahead of me!” Eventually, she agreed to sing the famous, intimidating song so the show could go on. “I wore the highest heels I could find and a sparkly dress and piled my hair on top of my head. The last thing my professor said to me before I walked on stage was, ‘Sing pretty. Don’t fall down.’ It worked and I survived! That’s been my mantra ever since.”

ALNM runs March 7-10th at Sieminski Theater and March 14-24th at Hamilton Stage.