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

[qolbinau]

The final performance seems to be completely sold out!

[carayip]

https://instagram.com/p/BRjjoi3hwjW/

 

Nice to see Mandy is there!

[ljay889]

I was there today. Didn't see Mandy but George Stephanopoulos was there.

 The production has gotten even stronger. Everyone is more comfortable in their roles, especially Jake, who is now completely at ease in "Putting it Together." 

Today, I noticed how much the relationship between George and his Mother has grown. It's especially touching how Jake holds her hand in "Beautiful."

The chromolume is still a wonder. It's truly a great production and I hope we will get a cast recording. A live  stream or movie showing would be the icing on the cake. 

[Whateverjsays]

I was thinking today.... do you think they're waiting to recoup before they decide to record? Don't the recordings usually cost around $30,000 to produce? 

[Jesus_Freak]

I truly loved this  - it was my first time seeing a live production of this legendary show. I was moved to tears [yes, I am a softie - - - guilty as charged!]

Gyllenhaal is a big enough draw to justify a video and/or audio recording of this production.

I'm hoping we get either/or.

[chernjam]

ljay889 said: "...
Today, I noticed how much the relationship between George and his Mother has grown. It's especially touching how Jake holds her hand in "Beautiful."
 

"

That was one of my favorite/most moving moments to me as well

[Glittergrrl]

I LOVED this show. Oh my god, you guys..l I LOVED it. It was glorious. The costumes were gorgeous. The re-creation of the painting is stunningly beautiful. I was so moved at the end of act one-I just lost it.  It was perfection. Then the chromuline (I don't know how to spell it) was mesmerizing. The whole show was visually dazzling. The train ride home I kept mumbling.., it's so beautiful--people must have thought I was on drugs.  I also loved the George and his mom relationship.  It was so sweet.  And Jake can sing! And in case you didn't know... he's so handsome! It was so moving.  I absolutely adored it.  

[BroadwayConcierge]

ljay889 said: "Today, I noticed how much the relationship between George and his Mother has grown. It's especially touching how Jake holds her hand in "Beautiful.""

I finally made it to the show earlier this past week and was also deeply moved by Penny Fuller in the role. I was outspoken in my frustration about Phylicia Rashad not transferring from City Center, but Fuller totally nailed it for me. "Beautiful" was stunning.

I drew a bit of ire when I was one within the minority that was unimpressed by the City Center concert back in October. I'm pleased to report that I thought this much more full production was 10,000 times more successful. Ashford and Gyllenhaal have grown tremendously in their roles, and their performances are rich, nuanced, and meaningful. This ensemble is truly fabulous: special shoutouts to Ashley Park, Jenni Barber, Erin Davie, and Liz McCartney, who really stood out in their roles.

My sole complaint is that I still found myself craving something more from Sarna Lapine's direction. I don't know how to put it properly to words, but I left the show wanting some newer, bolder statement. However, when I'm usually frustrated with directors, it ruins the whole show for me—this isn't the case here, though. The text itself is obviously one of the strongest in musical theatre history, and the performances in this revival are just glorious. The design (that chromolume!!) is just stunning.

Glad to say I highly recommend the show if you're still able to get tickets.

[chernjam]

BroadwayConcierge said: "
I finally made it to the show earlier this past week and was also deeply moved by Penny Fuller in the role. I was outspoken in my frustration about Phylicia Rashad not transferring from City Center, but Fuller totally nailed it for me. "Beautiful" was stunning.
 

- I had no idea about this... Fuller was fantastic... but was it ever explained why Rashaad didn't come to Broadway?  

[BroadwayConcierge]

No particular or announced reason, chernjam; in fact, most of the cast from City Center didn't join the Broadway company! I was just frustrated since Rashad was a stunning highlight at City Center (she's stunning in everything she does, though!). 

[Lot666]

chernjam said: "...Even smaller characters were memorable - for example Penny Fuller as the Old Lady/Blair was incredibly moving in her portrayals...

I loved her. Another standout for me was Ashley Park (if I'm correct that she plays one of the Celestes), whose clear-as-a-bell soprano rode above and carried the entire chorus in "Sunday".

chernjam said: "...front row was a little too close (I figured as much since three or four rows back the tickets were $150 more than what I paid) - but I really didn’t mind.  The actors were literally maybe 2 feet away from me - and getting to see them that upclose and actually seeing the tears running down their faces was an experience I will never forget (or regret)

I was in the second row, almost dead center, and while it was great to see the performers' faces so clearly, I found it frustrating to be so close to the stage for this production. The stage being very high already, I don't understand why they felt it necessary to mount a second, floating platform above it that raised the actual performance surface another foot or so higher. 

However, the stage height was only a minor nuisance compared to how this position impacts one's view of the chromolume. Virtually the entire effect takes place behind the people sitting in the first few rows. Personally, I feel that my seat should've been designated as an "obstructed view".

chernjam said: "Musically, Sondheim has never been a favorite of mine...In a sense it’s more of a play with music...  I don’t mean that to sound overly critical or dismissive (I hate when people do that to other composers)  It’s very effective live on stage. But it’s hard for me to imagine listening to the soundtrack repeated times."

I've offered a similar description to friends who've asked me about this show - it often felt to me like a play with incidental music, in the way that non-musical films typically have a background score. As you said, it works in the show, but I also cannot imagine listening to the entire score repeatedly (however, I do hope that a cast recording is made for this production, if only for the two instances of "Sunday", as I don't care for Mandy Patinkin's version). In truth, there were only a handful of moments when I felt that the inclusion of an actual song furthered the impact of the story, most notably the song "Sunday" at the end of both acts. I particularly liked the way the voices of the chorus built in layers as George positioned the various characters in the painting, and how the characters bowed to him near the start of the finale. 

chernjam said: "That being said, I will never regret this Saturday afternoon spent on Sunday"

I'm very glad that I was able to see this show; I only wish that I had another opportunity to experience it more completely, e.g., from the front mezzanine.

[Valentina3]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Annaleigh-Ashford-Andy-Kelso-and-Mara-Davi-to-Headline-UNITED-IN-LOVE-Concert-in-Denver-20170313

I guess they won't extend afterall *cries*