“I Shall Make Love to Your Husband”

Charlotte, long suffering wife of Count Malcolm, has devised a plan to get her philandering husband back. Her plan will involve the young Anne’s husband (Fredrik Egerman played by Ben Chumley), but will ensure Egerman’s faithfulness to Anne in the meantime. That is, if all goes according to her plan.

This is one of the many trysts in Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music,” Tryon Little Theater’s upcoming musical.

You see, Count Malcolm (played by Greene-Porter’s real-life husband, Steve Porter), has taken a mistress. Charlotte has tolerated his infidelity, but now that Malcolm has discovered his mistress’ rekindled romance with Egerman, the Count’s jealousy is proving too much for his wife.

And what of Egerman’s wife, Anne? Well, she’s half his age, and after an eleven-month marriage, still a virgin, although she has no trouble flirting with his son, who is her own age.

But back to Charlotte’s plan…When Charlotte informs the self-absorbed Anne that Anne’s own husband has also been unfaithful with the very same mistress (Desiree), the two wives conspire to send Desiree “peddling her dubious commodities elsewhere.”

Desiree has invited Egerman and Anne to weekend in her family’s country home. But Malcolm plans to invite himself and Charlotte to the same house party. Malcolm plans to keep an eye on Desiree and Egerman, and Charlotte’s plan is to throw herself into Egerman’s arms, causing her own husband’s jealousy and securing his loyalty to her.

Since she is confident that Egerman will succumb to her charms, she predicts this affair will leave Desiree without either of her lovers. The young and foolish Anne agrees to Charlotte’s plan, as the disappointments of love have strengthened their friendship.

Does Charlotte go through with her plan? Does Egerman stay with his wife, his former lover, or this new paramour? Will the Count’s penchant for dueling solve any of his problems? And what of Egerman’s son – who seems to be in love with his own stepmother?

Richard Sharkey, Director, and Pam McNeil, Music Director, promise the answers to these and more questions at performances at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Performances are February 17-19 and February 24-26. Show times are 8:00 on Friday and Saturday evenings and 3:00 on Sundays.

To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Tryon Little Theater, Mon–Sat, 10am – 1pm. The TLT Box Office is at 516 South Trade, Tryon 828-859-2466.

Mimi Alexander