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

[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! 

[VintageSnarker]

For everyone talking about the mezzanine, do you mean the Dress Circle?

[Jarethan]

Jayar2 said: "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.

Unfortunately, i will not be able to see the performance, as I will not be within 1,000 miles of NYC during the run.  The biggest reason I am disappointed is the recent recording of Jake Gyllenhaal singing Finishing the Hat.  I was absolutely flabbergasted at how beautiful I felt his performance was.  I was surprised at the quality of his voice, and loved the performance itself.  I did see Mandy Patikin when the show first opened from the second row of the Booth,and have played the album / CD / digital recordings of the show ever since, and I like Gyllenhaal's version of Finishing the Hat better.  Patinkin may have a stronger voice, but his historic tendency to turn up the histrionics has always hindered my enjoyment of his performances.  While it is not evident on the album, it was at least one of the two evenings that I saw there original production.

 

[jayhawkjen2]

Scarywarhol said: "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? 

The seats are AMAZING.  Slightly wider than usual and with about 8 inches more leg room!  My one complaint was that the guy in front of me had a giant head as there isn't really any off-set on the seating.  But it was nice to be able to cross my legs without mashing my feet up.  

It was a lovely evening and I very much enjoyed my first exposure to this show.  My favorite scene was George singing as two different dogs.  

 

[IronMan]

Yes, many theaters now call their Mezzanine level the "Dress Circle."  I don't know why... because it sounds classier? 

 

[LimelightMike]

Has anyone sat in Row B of the Orchestra, specifically, seat 108? That's where I'm sitting next month. Was just curious about the view... Thanks!

[ljay889]

Yes, Jake as the two dogs in "The Day Off" is a major highlight. This could often be a polarizing section, but Jake's delivery of it  is extraordinary. 

I was in row A of the dress circle, the furthest seat in house right. The very end of stage left was cut off but wasn't a major deal. It had an absolutely perfect view of the chromolume.

[dramamama611]

I can't believe I have to wait until the end of the run to see this!  Gah!

 

Ljay -- worth hoping for a recording?

[HeleneIsASlut]

Ijay889, I know this has been asked before, but would you please be willing to post the understudy list from the playbill?

[jayhawkjen2]

HeleneIsASlut said: "Ijay889, I know this has been asked before, but would you please be willing to post the understudy list from the playbill?

 

I have no idea how to post the pic from my iPad but Max Chernin and Claybourne Elder are u/s for George and Jenni Barber and Ashley Park are u/s for Dot/Marie

[ljay889]

Here's the list 

https://ibb.co/eB1OgF

[MarkBearSF]

IronMan said: "Yes, many theaters now call their Mezzanine level the "Dress Circle."  I don't know why... because it sounds classier? "

It's very common in London, and since the owners, ATG, are from there, it's not surprising. 
...as long as they don't call orchestra seats "stalls" which always sounded just plain wrong.

[Call_me_jorge]

Does Mattea not have an understudy?

[ljay889]

Oh there was a joining the cast insert for her understudy. I'll get the name later. 

[ljay889]

Laura Irion joined the company as Dance Captain, u/s Louise/Rayne, u/s Mrs. Harriet, u/s Freida/Betty, u/s Celeste #1/Theresa, u/s Nurse/Samantha.

[blaxx]

How does the chromolume compare to the last revival?  Because that is one of the best projection effects I've ever seen on Broadway. 

[ljay889]

Without spoiling, it's not actually a projection in this production. It's hard to properly explain but my jaw dropped because I wasn't expecting it. 

[Lot666]

IronMan said: "Yes, many theaters now call their Mezzanine level the "Dress Circle."  I don't know why... because it sounds classier?"

It's a West End thing. 

 

[Lot666]

LimelightMike said: "Has anyone sat in Row B of the Orchestra, specifically, seat 108? That's where I'm sitting next month. Was just curious about the view... Thanks! "

Me too - I've got B 107!

[haterobics]

Lot666 said: "LimelightMike said: "Has anyone sat in Row B of the Orchestra, specifically, seat 108? That's where I'm sitting next month. Was just curious about the view... Thanks! "

Me too - I've got B 107!"

How is the view from the dead center of the second row?! Without having been, I'll say you're close and have a good view of everything?

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

I just bought $59 tickets on March 3rd for the boyfriend and me! We're very much looking forward to saying we were there.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Does anybody here know what the view is like from the last row of the dress circle? When you go to buy those seats on the Hudson website it says that they may be limited view during certain scenes. I'm debating whether I want to get one of those $69 seats or a seat in the balcony for the same price.

[Wick3]

Lot666 said: "LimelightMike said: "Has anyone sat in Row B of the Orchestra, specifically, seat 108? That's where I'm sitting next month. Was just curious about the view... Thanks! "

Me too - I've got B 107!"

It'll be a great view!!! Our seats are B106/107/108 and looking forward to seeing it again next month! There is a platform on top of the stage so you most likely won't see the orchestra but you will see the conductor conduct and full view of the show.

 

[kdogg36]

I can't wait to see this on April 8! It'll be an all-Sondheim day, with Pacific Overtures in the evening (unless it's sold out by the time tickets are on sale).

[kdogg36]

By the way, is there a horn in the orchestra in this production? Oddly enough, I really missed that in the last revival (which I otherwise loved).

[ljay889]

The 2008's orchestrations were an embarrassment, even Sondheim publicly expressed his disappointment it them.

Yes, this revival has the french horn, it's Starobin's original orchestrations with two additional pieces, a bass and an extra woodwind. They are truly some of the most brilliant orchestrations ever created. The Chromolume has a completely new scoring, and Starobin might've added a few new touches here and there, but my ear isn't  good enough to know for sure.