SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in Performances (The 2017 Revival)

[Jayar2]

I was in the first row of the balcony, center, and the view was perfect.  Closer that I expected, and the light show was amazing from that angle. It was hot up there (ha!)-- I felt like I wanted to die it was so hot. The water fountains do not work, and they ran out of bottled water quickly-- prepare for that. 

The show itself was wonderful. I loved Ashford's modern take on Dot, and that she was willing to slip out of the Bernadette Peters mold (that was amazing, but you can't replicate that). Her gestures and facial expressions made the role interesting in a new way. Gyllenhaal is not the singer that Patinkin was (duh!), but he was quite good nevertheless. I especially enjoyed him when he transformed into the dog for a whatever song that was. (What song is that?) The audience loved him. 

People were scrounging up Playbills like mad after the show-- a lot of people didn't get the ones with the stickers on the cover but somehow I got two.

[ljay889]

Here's a picture of the act one costumes.

https://instagram.com/p/BQZk-wqhxtg/

[sng]

pic of the cast on stage in, I think "It's hot in here"?? https://www.instagram.com/p/BQZimIcAXjv/

can someone tell me how the curtain works in the show?

[ljay889]

Wow that's tacky whoever took that during the show. 

The curtain is used for projections during the entirety of act one. It's not used for the 1984 Art museum scenes, but returns once their back on the island. 

The projections are lovely although it appeared that they had some issues with the images being intermittent. The chromolume is the big spectacle. I don't think I've ever seen it done as cool and impressive as this.

[Scarywarhol]

How is the Hudson Theater? I've never been in there and am so excited about having a Broadway house return. How does it look? Are the seats new/any roomier than usual? 

[Wick3]

ljay889 said: "Wow that's tacky whoever took that during the show. 

The curtain is used for projections during the entirety of act one. It's not used for the 1984 Art museum scenes, but returns once their back on the island. 

The projections are lovely although it appeared that they had some issues with the images being intermittent. The chromolume is the big spectacle. I don't think I've ever seen it done as cool and impressive as this."

I barely saw the Chromolume. I sat in the rush tix area and we had to literally look over our heads to see the chromolume. After 4-5 seconds, I just stared at the cast instead. 

This was my first time watching Sunday in the Park and in act 2, I actually thought they had a real technical difficulty since, after all, this was the first preview. Ok no more spoilers from me. 

Personally, I think the best seat is front row mezz. The front row is great to see tears and spit and and facial expressions, etc. but you do have to prop your head up. The stage is eye-level but there's an additional platform over the stage so people in the front row won't be able to see the orchestra, which is placed on the back of the stage.

Sondheim sat in center orch row M118 (or N11 so I'd think that must be the best seat but I'd say front row mezz may be better. 

There was a group shot taken after the show that included the entire cast and audience. That was the once-in-a-lifetime experience. :)

I hope you guys will get an opportunity to see this production!!!

[ljay889]

I was in the first row of the front mezz, and it's definitely a great view. I also had a perfect view of the chromolume, got to watch it all happen. I could see it being awkward to watch it from the front orchestra. 

[viola13]

I was in the 3rd row of the left balcony and had a great view; could see the chromolume perfectly.  It seems like the entire balcony has great sightlines, I went all the way to the extreme side to see the view, and you could still see practically the entire stage. 

I was also at the invited dress and can confirm they definitely had projection issues the first act.  It went smoothly at the invited dress, but I also believe they added some projections for first preview, so I'm sure that'll be fixed by the next show. 

I loved the concert at City Center, and I love this production even more.  It's absolutely gorgeous with wonderful performances.  I can't wait to see it again.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

I have never seen a production of Sunday without being moved to tears by the acts 1&2 finales.  I won't be seeing this iteration until mid-April, but after reading these comments, I've already started crying.

[macnyc]

Does anyone know if Jake is doing all the performances? I didn't read that he wasn't, so I'm assuming he is. Does anyone know?

Also, just a reminder for anyone buying tickets: Try the Hudson Theater website ticketing first. I just did a side-by-side comparison with Telecharge, and the Hudson website had many more seats available for the performance I was checking.

[trpguyy]

macnyc said: "Does anyone know if Jake is doing all the performances? I didn't read that he wasn't, so I'm assuming he is. Does anyone know?"

Barring illness or injury, yes. 

[petewk87]

would you say orchestra row B may not be ideal for viewing projections and Chromolume? 

Wick3 said: "ljay889 said: "Wow that's tacky whoever took that during the show. 

The curtain is used for projections during the entirety of act one. It's not used for the 1984 Art museum scenes, but returns once their back on the island. 

The projections are lovely although it appeared that they had some issues with the images being intermittent. The chromolume is the big spectacle. I don't think I've ever seen it done as cool and impressive as this."

I barely saw the Chromolume. I sat in the rush tix area and we had to literally look over our heads to see the chromolume. After 4-5 seconds, I just stared at the cast instead. 

This was my first time watching Sunday in the Park and in act 2, I actually thought they had a real technical difficulty since, after all, this was the first preview. Ok no more spoilers from me. 

Personally, I think the best seat is front row mezz. The front row is great to see tears and spit and and facial expressions, etc. but you do have to prop your head up. The stage is eye-level but there's an additional platform over the stage so people in the front row won't be able to see the orchestra, which is placed on the back of the stage.

Sondheim sat in center orch row M118 (or N11 so I'd think that must be the best seat but I'd say front row mezz may be better. 

There was a group shot taken after the show that included the entire cast and audience. That was the once-in-a-lifetime experience. :)

I hope you guys will get an opportunity to see this production!!!

 

"

 

[ACL2006]

can someone post the understudy list? thanks!

[ljay889]

Front mezz undoubtedly has the best view of the chromolume but it's only two minutes. I wouldn't try switching seats or anything over it. I personally prefer sitting front orchestra. I will have that perspective on Wednesday. 

[n2nbaby]

Did anyone sit near the back on the far sides? I have row P all the way over and wasn't sure if they would be partial view at all.

[IronMan]

The highlights for me: Jake's voice (much warmer and more nuanced than I'd imagined), Annaleigh's "Marie,"  Robert Sean Leonard's "Jules,"  the Chromolume (stunning, something I can easily imagine in a museum, and hopefully won't be spoiled by others), and the ORCHESTRA (15-piece, glorious sound)! 

Typical 1st preview glitches- a few projection blips, line flubs (the very first time she sang it, it came out "Sunday in the dark...PARK with George!" which I can't imagine was intentional), and the show began at 8:15 due to the house opening late and the long line outside moving very slowly - getting out also took 10 minutes as there were few exits open. Intermission ran about 25 min, so I left the theater at 11pm (with a short curtain speech, then they took a 360° photo which I see online didn't turn out so well). 

There were very few changes from the original, notably the cacophony leading to/and Dot's pregnancy reveal being cut, and 2 more onstage actors filling out the ensemble.  

I sat second row Mezz on the R aisle and had a perfect view, the sound was balanced, and the seat/leg room was comfy.

[ljay889]

IronMan said:  

There were very few changes from the original, notably the cacophony leading to/and Dot's pregnancy reveal being cut, and 2 more onstage actors filling out the ensemble. "

I agree, why did they cut that?? Also another change from Encores that's included, adding Louise to the act two party scene named "Rayn with a Y."

and I totally agree. Nobody should spoil the chromolume. The new scoring for it is wonderful.

[CindersGolightly]

How was the Marie costume?! Does Annie still do the southern accent? Also, I'd love to hear more about Erin Davie's performance!!!

[bwayphreak234]

March 2nd can't get here soon enough.

[ljay889]

Yes, she still does a perfect southern accent. Her Marie is extremely moving. Erin Davie is fantastic, in my opinion, better than Cusack. Erin is warmer and really expresses Yvonne's longing to be painted by Jules. She almost plays it similar to her Charlotte in Night Music. 

[Wick3]

IronMan said: "The highlights for me: Jake's voice (much warmer and more nuanced than I'd imagined), Annaleigh's "Marie,"  Robert Sean Leonard's "Jules,"  the Chromolume (stunning, something I can easily imagine in a museum, and hopefully won't be spoiled by others), and the ORCHESTRA (15-piece, glorious sound)! 

Typical 1st preview glitches- a few projection blips, line flubs (the very first time she sang it, it came out "Sunday in the dark...PARK with George!" which I can't imagine was intentional), and the show began at 8:15 due to the house opening late and the long line outside moving very slowly - getting out also took 10 minutes as there were few exits open. Intermission ran about 25 min, so I left the theater at 11pm (with a short curtain speech, then they took a 360° photo which I see online didn't turn out so well). "

Whoops sorry if I said too much about the Chromolume as a spoiler.

Also, where did yo usee the 360 degree photo online? I can't find it.

 

[ljay889]

You didn't spoil it! 

Here's the 360: https://www.facebook.com/hudsonbway/photos/a.645940388893706.1073741828.627427140745031/759363717551372/?type=3&theater

Also, I want to give accolades to Ken Billington's sensational lighting design. It could easily win a Tony if this production was eligible. The lack of set is not missed because of the beautiful lighting and projections throughout. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Just to add to the barrage of questions... how was Penny Fuller as Old Lady/Blair? I was most heartbroken about Phylicia Rashad not transferring to the Broadway company in the role, so I'm hoping to hear that Fuller is just as wonderful.

[ljay889]

Fuller is wonderful. She plays it similar to Peil in the last revival.

[ads08]

Has anyone sat on the extreme sides of the mezzanine? There seem to be some tickets available but I don't know if the view is obstructed. 

[IronMan]

The theater is an odd shape- the stage is 'centered' quite a bit to house left (more seats on the right side) so the extreme house left side has far better views than extreme house right, which I'm sure would be considered an obstructed view of far stage left. I hope that made sense!