"Marry Me a Little" by Sklark Opera Theatre at the Crane Theater

I interrupt this all-Fringe-all-the-time coverage to bring you news of Skylark Opera Theatre's one-weekend-only engagement of the Sondheim revue Marry Me a Little. Originally scheduled for June, the show had to be rescheduled (because covid is still a thing), and has finally debuted at the Crane Theater this weekend. At about an hour long, it almost could be part of the Fringe (if only the start time were at 7 instead of 7:30). It was worth taking a break to see this lovely little show chock full of great Sondheim songs that most of us have never heard, performed by two experts in music-theater-performance.

With zero dialogue and only using 20 or so songs written for other purposes (which maybe technically makes this a jukebox musical?), the show tells the story of a relationship, the highs and the lows. Created in 1980 by Craig Lucas and Norman René, the songs were either cut from a Sondheim musical (e.g., Follies, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), or from an (at the time) unproduced show (Saturday Night). Which means most of them I've never heard before. But one of the great things about Sondheim is that each songs is like a little story unto itself. So while the plot of the show isn't always clear, the emotions are. We watch as two people sit alone on opposite sides of the stage singing about being alone, then come together and sing about the joys and tribulations of relationships, then end up apart again, singing one of Sondheim's greatest, "Being Alive." Although they end up where they started, they've definitely been on a journey, and we were right there with them. What I didn't realize until I read the program after the show, is that they were just imagining this encounter, this relationship, and never left their apartments. But either way, it works (and it's theater, it's all imagined!)

 Bergen Baker and Max Wojtanowicz
(photo courtesy of Skylark)

Director Nikki Swoboda notes in the program that they changed the order of the songs a little and added a few more (like the aforementioned "Being Alive" which obviously wasn't cut from Company), to lighten things up and perhaps tell a more modern story. The songs are all charming and great and fun, and maybe also a little sad at times. And performers Max Wojtanowicz and Bergen Baker know how to sell them! With no spoken dialogue, they've managed to create specific characters and tell this specific story. They both sing gorgeously, especially in harmony together, and convincingly convey the emotions of each song. Music Director James Barnett accompanies them on piano, beautifully playing Sondheim's characteristically tricky music.

The show is well staged, utilizing the open space at the Crane (unmiked, natch). The performers start out sitting on stools on opposite sides of the space, which is almost like watching a tennis match. Then they come together in the middle of the space where there's a homey couch and rug, with other accessories added as they make a home. The simple set and subtle lighting changes (designed by Mike Grogan) aid in the storytelling.

Marry Me a Little is a great chance to experience some lesser known compositions by one of our greatest musical theater composers, and Skylark's production has all the heart, emotion, humor, and gorgeous musicality you could want. Opening night was sold out, with a very full house last night too, and only three performances remaining at the Crane Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.