YORK Musical Theatre Company will hold a launch evening for their spring production of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music on Monday, January 5 at Poppleton Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm.

Directed by Paul Laidlaw, the show will run at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from March 18 to 21.

"A Little Night Music is grand in every sense of the word from the moving and dramatic score to the lavish period Edwardian costumes," says Paul.

"It tells a story of love, passion and endless possibilities when the elegant and bewitching actress Desiree Armfeldt invites guests to her luxurious country estate for the weekend. A tangled web ensues, weaving its way into all their hearts and minds."

Set in turn-of-the-century Sweden in the land of the midnight sun, A Little Night Music opened on Broadway in 1973, going on to win six Tony Awards.

"It features one of the most moving and enchanting songs of modern musical theatre, Send In The Clowns, and was famously revived in 1995 at the National Theatre with Dame Judi Dench in the lead role," says Paul.

"This evocative musical costume drama, with its sweeping score, has charmed audiences the world over and York Musical Theatre Company can’t wait to make a start on auditions and rehearsals in 2015 and to charm York audiences too."

The launch evening will be open to "anybody at all in York, or the surrounding area, who is interested in being involved in the show". "This is a chance to hear more about the characters, the beautiful songs and acquire more details about the auditions," says Paul. "It’s an open invite, so please do come along. "

Stephen Sondheim will be all the rage once more in 2015 with the imminent release of Rob Marshall's film version of Into The Woods, starring Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine and Simon Russell Beale.

For more information on YMTC's launch evening, email info@yorkmusicaltheatrecompany.org.uk. Tickets for next March's run are on sale at yorkmusicaltheatrecompany.org.uk