My thoughts on SUNDAY in the PARK with GEORGE — Page 2

sweetestsiren - Simply, I found nothing in the material satisfying. I'm not saying it's bad, I surely "get" what Sondheim's trying to accomplish, but it just underwhelmed me. Of course there are some nice moments - I've always enjoyed "Putting it Together" the title number, and "Sunday." Anf the recurring "Color and Light" theme was caught in my head until late last night.

I just didn't feel for any of 'em. Their actions didn't matter to me in the least. I didn't strike me as a very well thought out or well-rounded piece. It was like Sondheim and Lapine wanted to create two shows - one about the making of a piece of art and one about the ideas of legacy, and tried to combine the two without much success.

It was like when you shake a soda bottle and leave the cap on. It builds and builds and builds, but then, nothing. Of course, for everyone else, that "nothing" is when Dot returns and finds Modern George.

But that's just My Opinion...

Updated On: 1/28/08 at 07:05 AM

I saw it on Saturday, and it was one of the most...interesting theatre moments of my life.

First of all, not even 10 minutes into the show, the lady in front of us started to blow chunks and had to get up and was just dripping in vomit, so having to smell that for the whole first act did NOTHING to help me enjoy it. The first act was very slow but brought tears to my eyes at the end.

The second act was great, and of course "move on" and "sunday" were just out of this world. I would really like to go back just to hear those two songs again.

It is a show i would tell others to see.

I just got back from this production too. However, my response was very different. Sunday in the Park with George has always been one of my absolute favorite musicals, and I'd heard a lot of good things about this production so I was looking forward to it, but I was VERY disappointed. I thought the visuals were interesting, but I thought the performances weren't good at all. I found them to have no depth, and also I didn't think the singing was very good- actually I was surprised at how bad Jenna Russell's was (someone needs to send her to Joan Lader). Anyway, I know I'm in the minority but I was very disappointed.

While we did enjoy it, we still feel Follies was the best Sondheim show. I saw the original & Mrs R saw the recent revival by Roundabout & still felt it best. I have seen most of them (Sondheim shows) but Mrs R has not.

I basically introduced her to Broadway as she loved opera & she introduced me to opera. It worked out well for both of us.

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I'd hardly say that Yankee "trashed" the show. He was just voicing his opinions -- opinions that weren't even that negative/harsh.

According to Yankee007:

"It was like Sondheim and Lapine wanted to create two shows - one about the making of a piece of art and one about the ideas of legacy, and tried to combine the two without much success.

It was like when you shake a soda bottle and leave the cap on. It builds and builds and builds, but then, nothing. Of course, for everyone else, that "nothing" is when Dot returns and finds Modern George."

Brilliant way of "putting it together". Analogy with fizz.

Whether or not it was a success you still understood the nihilistic point of the show. And if that soda didn't "pop" for you, you'll just order a different case.

At least you took a sip. And it fizzled--good or bad--it still had that buzz on your tongue! Or in our case, words.

Connect, Yank, connect. Keep the words alive. I'll always read them.

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frontrow - I didn't "rush" to see an early preview. It just so happened that the only time my schedule would allow me to see it was the first weekend of previews.

If you notice my posting records, I post comments after any show I see. It just so happened that this one didn't thrill me. And I don't even consider what I wrote to be "trashing it," either.

I've found a lot of damn positives. I just don't like the material. Hope that's okay.

I enjoy the two act-closers. I enjoy the song (one of the few), and I love the harmonies. And I love the painiting.

Beyond that, I'm an icebox. What can I tell 'ya?

<< I just find the show to be beautiful. There are parts I don't care for, but the show as a whole is the most stunning piece of theatre I've witnessed. >>

Totally agree !! It really moved me, despite a few slow parts.

Overall, however, it's a stunning production !

Absolutely visually stunning!!

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But we've known since the start that this production was basically the same exact show, just with projections, new (but similar) set, and lighting.

The book and score were NOT changed. And the staging is pretty damn similar to the original.

Updated On: 2/3/08 at 09:06 PM

You're excused. But there was a recording, reviews, and tons of buzz of the London production.

Are you a fan of musicals, yankee? Seems like you're more into the plays. Not a bad thing, just wondering.