Performance Network Theatre is inviting audiences to discover the genius behind their award-winning productions by way of a brand new series, Cultural Conversations—a sequence of in-depth discussions with Michigan’s finest theater artists, led by associate artistic director Carla Milarch, about the nuances of making theater, from the artist’s perspective.

On Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m., the director and music director of "A Little Night Music," Phil Simmons and R. MacKenzie Lewis, will join Milarch on the Performance Network Theatre stage (located on 120 E. Huron Street in Ann Arbor) to discuss this season’s musical "behind the scenes," and speak more generally about adapting and orchestrating musicals.

Tickets to Cultural Conversations: "A Little Night Music" are free for audiences who present their "A Little Night Music" ticket stub; otherwise, tickets are $10 (series pass for $55) and can be purchased online at performancenetwork.org or by calling 734-663-0681.

“Cast size, set size, orchestra size and other production issues that accompany large musicals are often tremendous obstacles that have to be dealt with in order to produce a show in a small space with a limited budget. Creatively and artistically finding solutions is what make my job fun and ever changing. I love being a part of a team that fits musicals into PNT’s small space without sacrificing the integrity of the show. Size doesn’t matter for art,” said Lewis in a press release.