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

[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. 

[kdogg36]

Thank you! I'm glad we have the originals this time. I really need that horn for "Sunday." :)

[ljay889]

:) I can't explain how powerful "Sunday"' is in this production. The extra chorus members must be filling out the choral arrangement, because the power is staggering. You are in for such a treat! I am so excited to read more opinions this week. 

[kdogg36]

I'm already sure I'll love it. :) Thanks for your thoughts and the info you've contributed.

[Lot666]

Wick3 said: "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."

What about the chromolume?

[dramamama611]

kdogg36 said: "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).

 

"

Me, too...except I'll be seeing Sweeny Todd!

[kdogg36]

dramamama611 said: Me, too...except I'll be seeing Sweeny Todd"

Haven't forgotten about that - we're seeing that in the summer!

 

[Broadway Bob*]

Wick3 said: "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."

I'll be in B 107 as well! Snapped it up the minute row B went on sale. Was convinced it would be first row. Was downtodden when they opened up A, but oh well. It will still be amazing and I can't frikkin' wait!!!

[Lot666]

Broadway Bob* said: "I'll be in B 107 as well! Snapped it up the minute row B went on sale. Was convinced it would be first row. Was downtodden when they opened up A, but oh well. It will still be amazing and I can't frikkin' wait!!!"

I bought B 107 at the right time as well ($139), but I'm not really disappointed that it's not first row; from what folks are saying, the stage might be a bit too high to be that close. I hate a neck ache. 

[MinnieFay]

This is a production that is best seen from the front mezz.  The first 5-6 rows in the orchestra are good for Act I --- but you're going to miss a major aspect of Act II from those seats.

[sondmon]

Would you say that last few rows of the orchestra to the side or 4th-5th row mezz all the way to the side are a better view?

[ljay889]

MinnieFay said: "This is a production that is best seen from the front mezz.  The first 5-6 rows in the orchestra are good for Act I --- but you're going to miss a major aspect of Act II from those seats."

 

Do you know If the new chromolume scoring is by Michael Starobin and is it all pre recorded? I know the conductor wore head phones for it which is a sign that at least some of it is pre recorded. 

[MinnieFay]

sondmon said: "Would you say that last few rows of the orchestra to the side or 4th-5th row mezz all the way to the side are a better view?"

I would say go with the mezz seats --- house left if possible.  I sat in the 3rd row mezz all the way on the left and it was a perfect view.  The rear orchestra is slightly problematic because of the overhang.

[little_sally]

What's the current run time?

[Whateverjsays]

I'm seeing this March 10th. Sitting in the 3rd row balcony, on the right. Any word on how the view is from there? 

[ljay889]

Somebody posted this on the show's Facebook and I don't think it could be worded any better. 

"A brilliant and honest production of one of Sondheim's beloved classics. Mr. Gyllenhaal and the rest of the company are superb. The simple yet sophisticated production design was the perfect frame to the talented artists that make the stage come alive."

'Honest' perfectly describes this production. It exudes so much warmth. If any of you are going tonight be sure to post your thoughts after. 

[VintageSnarker]

So Dress Circle seems to be the consensus choice. Any thoughts on the Balcony? That's more in my price range. 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

I've spotted Beth Malone and Jason Robert Brown - wonder if Sondheim is here...

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Jeanine Tesori...

[aj88]

I am going tomorrow night and I would probably faint if I saw Sondheim in person. I would be too afraid to approach him but he is one of the few people I would actually ask to have sign my Playbill.

My boyfriend knows next to nothing about the show. He isn't a musical person but has enormous respect for Sondheim (Assassins is his favorite...he's also fond of Company, Sweeney Todd, and Into the Woods). I am excited for the show because I do love it but I am just as excited to get to see him experience it for the first time. 

[viola13]

The balcony has a great view, I sat in C3 and had a perfect view of everything, including the chromolume.  It felt really intimate considering it was the 3rd level.

[Whateverjsays]

viola13 said: "The balcony has a great view, I sat in C3 and had a perfect view of everything, including the chromolume.  It felt really intimate considering it was the 3rd level.

 

"

Thank you!

[Sally Durant Plummer]

I thought this production was quite fantastic, especially from what I've seen of the last revival. The orchestra is beyond thrilling - I heard things I never noticed before, particularly the saxophone in "Children and Art". The french horn in the opening was a little subdued for my taste, but later on it really let loose, ending both act on a gorgeous note (literally).

The costumes are gorgeous and each one of the secondary characters are really vividly wrought, particularly by Ashley Park, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Erin Davie. The Chromolume is stunning and the new orchestral music is phenomenal (can you tell I'm running out of superlatives?). I think the new passage has much more thematic significance than its predecessor. It is reason enough for a new cast recording. The set was simple but effective. I loved the projections and even sitting in the back of the orchestra, I didn't miss a thing.

And Mr. Gyllenhaal was everything I expected and more. I would give him the Tony hands down if he were eligible. His acting is incredible and his voice is everything you could wish for and more. If it is not as powerful as Mandy's, well, the emotion he evokes more than makes up for it (but his voice really is beautiful). And "Lesson #8" was the musical highlight of the evening, an unexpected turn of events for me, considering the other numbers I love. I particularly loved his moment at the end of act I: "Louis is his father... I cannot give give him that because I cannot look up from my painting."

Miss Ashford was the main shortcoming for me. Her voice is really lovely, but there is not as strong as I was expecting. It might be strange, since I said the exact opposite of Mr. Gyllenhaal, but she really doesn't make up for her voice. If she wasn't mic'd, I wouldn't have heard a word. It was very odd, and it made me feel like the singing wasn't live, but a pre-recorded track (it wasn't obviously, but that's the effect it had with me). I know no one is Bernadette, but these songs are some of the most stunning in the cannon, and I didn't enjoy the title song or "Everybody Loves Louis" (the problem is not in the staging). She is better in "We Do Not Belong Together", but I will say that this is the only time I have not cried during "Children and Art". Dot/Marie is really the most moving part in the show for me, and I felt nothing in this production. Miss Ashford is a talented comedian, and her natural instinct is to make you laugh. She got a laugh in "Children and Art", which I thought was a misguided choice. She was better in her scenes, but sometimes I though she really hadn't formed a character. I was very disappointed by that.

Throughout the show,I kept thinking of what Sondheim wrote about how the show would be more effective with natural, unamplified sound. That's what I thought of this production. The orchestra felt muted, like they were nervous it would drown out the leads. I think Miss Ashford is much too reliant on her microphone and it would force her to project. And I think Mr. Gyllenhaal doesn't need one, nor do any of the other actors. I would love to hear what that score would sound like naturally. Still, a very moving production of one of the greatest shows ever written.

[Whateverjsays]

Any word if Jake was at the stage door tonight? 

[sondmon]

They just released some $99 seats for the rest of previews. Got 3rd row mezz for tom night. So excited!

[trpguyy]

ljay889 said: "I know the conductor wore head phones for it which is a sign that at least some of it is pre recorded. "

I can't speak to this specific situation, but a conductor wearing headphones does not necessarily indicate a pre-record. It indicates that s/he is conducting to a click track to ensure the same tempo every performance. Sometimes the click track aligns to pre-records, other times it's simply a click for consistency's sake: say, for instance, so the live music lines up to timed lighting/automation cues.