I want to thank everyone for your very kind words regarding my performance of the Miller's Son. I went into the Broadway show with 2 performances from Boston, and a Monday and Tuesday rehearsal Opening for Critics on Tuesday night. It was and remains an amazing experience. Thank you for remembering me so kindly.
I was inspired by your performance on the cast recording to audition for the role of Petra in college 40 years ago. I got the part, but I’ll be the first to admit that I never did the song justice. You own it, and I think you always will. Wish we could have heard you in more shows!
To Djamin Bartlett: I saw you in "A Little Night Music" in October 1973. Your performance of "The Miller's Son" was one of the MANY elements in that evening -- musical, verbal, and visual -- that I will never forget: Tharon Musser's exquisite moonlight setting for the opening waltz, Glynis Johns' stunning red gown, Hermione Gingold's voice trembling with feeling when she recalled a failed love affair from her youth, and said "Who knows? He might have been the love of my life." You should feel enormous pride at having helped to create a glorious production of a masterwork by one of America's premier theatrical artists.
I remember so clearly seeing her do this in NY...Spring 74 I believe. Her voice just Filled the theatre! Such a big sound, and in incredibly engaging actress! 😎😎😎
I was privileged to see Ms. Bartlett perform this song in A Little Night Music on Broadway. She was superb and hers is still the best interpretation of this wonderful song I've ever heard. Thank you !!
When "A Little Night Music" premiered on Broadway in 1973, the critic for "Newsweek", comparing it to the other shows of that season, called it "an emerald in a box of gooseberries". The only thing that would have made it absolutely perfect would have been if Sondheim's glorious score had been performed in tandem with Ingmar Bergman's script from "Smiles of a Summer Night", the film on which the musical was based. The Broadway libretto was much broader and brasher than the soaring poetry of the music and lyrics (of which "The Miller's Son" is perhaps the best example). Among other things, Bergman's script contains one of my favorite exchanges in all film history. As Fredrik watches Desiree change out of her costume in her dressing room, he is momentarily awestruck by the beauty of her skin and figure. "How can a woman ever love a man?", he asks. Desiree flashes him the ultimate woman-of-the-world smile, and replies, "Women are seldom interested in aesthetics; and in the worst cases you can always turn off the light."
Sadly, as you know, a musical book has to be precise and swift, and an attempt I witnessed to incorporate parts of the book, made the show rather tedious. This was so much the worse, because I had in a programme essay emphasized how much the musical was in the mold of the Nordic naturalist theatre tradition. I had become much too much so this time.
My favorite Sondheim song, possibly my favorite showtune, period. I had no idea this existed. I've listened to every recording I can find and no one compares to her. Thank you so much!
I worked on the show which was supposed to be her comeback....Tallulah. She was marvelous but the show did not open and was done a year later with Helen Gallagher...who was WAAAY too old. The last night of rehearsal I turned to D'Jamin and said "Oh no. And I never got the chance to ask you to sing The Miller's Son and she just cracked up. So talented.
Thank you for sharing this…it's so interesting to match visuals for an iconic performance I've enjoyed so many times on the ALNM original cast album. I think she's a little more forced here vocally…it seems as if having to hold the mic is inhibiting her and she can perform it with a free body as she was used to. That's just my guess tho'. Regardless, she has an incandescence which embodies Petra's free spirit, in contrast with the buttoned up propriety of Swedish society. (See, Sondheim has me rhyming.)
The set is from the Tonight Show. That's where this performance was filmed. The song is a little slower as the Doc Severinson Orchestra, who were sensational, only had one rehearsal before the taping.
Wait…WHAT?? The was the Tonight Show Band. I know that was an amazing band and full of seasoned studio players who were stellar sight readers, but WOW. No one can sing this except you IMHO The mix is also impeccable- probably the incredible Ron Estes at the board. Was this chart arranged by Doc or Tommy Newsom? Clearly based on the Jonathan Tunick arrangement.
@@djaminbartlett8679 I love this and for some reason had never come across this Tonight Show. One of my favorite Sondheim songs ever. In a way, it presages the Baker's Wife role and Moments in the Woods.
