Stephen Sondheim's musical theater classic "A Little Night Music" starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury opened Sunday night at the Walter Kerr Theater. NY1's Roma Torre filed the following review.

Sondheim being Sondheim, you know that anything he writes is going to be intelligent, sophisticated, witty and lyrical, often self-consciously so. That's all there in the revival of his 1973 musical "A Little Night Music," directed by Trevor Nunn whose acclaimed London production made the trip across the pond. As modern musicals go, it's considered by many the gold standard and this production turns out to be beautiful and deeply resonant, hitting every note with stunning honesty.

Based on Ingmar Bergman's film "Smiles of a Summer Night," the show is set in turn of the century Sweden. Catherine Zeta-Jones is Desiree Armfeldt, a ravishing actress who's famed as much for her on stage skills as her seductive wiles with prominent men. On that front she was well taught by a mother who prided herself on a life attracting the most desirable among Europe's ruling class. Angela Lansbury's performance as Madame Armfeldt is magnificent. She nails her lines with the precision and killer timing that's likely to make her a contender for a sixth Tony Award. She also captures in Sondheim's music and Hugh Wheeler's book the overriding tone of the work -- a profound sense of longing, regret and sensuality.

She is well-matched by Zeta-Jones, making a flawless Broadway debut with a performance that is also destined for a Tony nod. She tackles this difficult role with a natural gusto that in effect seduces the audience. She's warm, funny and captivatingly sensuous.

Her co-star Alexander Hanson, who originated the role of Desiree's former lover, lawyer Henrik Egerman in the London production fills out the starry trio with tremendous charisma and talent.

Trevor Nunn's direction cut right to the soul of this work meticulously casting great voices all equally adept as actors. The complex material is well served by all of them. Other standouts include Aaron Lazar as the blustery Count Malcolm, and Ramona Mallory, playing Egerman's much too young wife.

But it all really comes down to Zeta-Jones. And when she finally sings "Send In The Clowns," exquisitely I might add, she sends us into musical ecstasy.

The show is long -- three hours with intermission and there are spots that could be cut. Too much of a good thing perhaps. But Sondheim being Sondheim, the virtues far outweigh the flaws.