SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in Performances (The 2017 Revival) — Page 13

10086sunset said: "Anyone know if they have been selling the signed Playbills lately?"

I was at the show last night and they only had the posters and sketches for sale

I was also there last night. Just a note about the signed posters and artwork. These are to raise funds for charity -- "Broadway Cares."

Also -- the original is one of my favorite shows of all times. I loved Mandy and Bernadette but I was equally impressed with Jake and Annaleigh. They were really great! I understand the reasons that it's not eligible for Tony consideration but it really seems unfair for the performers. I'm sure there would have been a lot of nominations.

This is a MUCH warmer and more organic production than the Roundabout/Menier revival. This production uses the original orchestrations which sound absolutely amazing live in the Hudson. This orchestra blows away the odd 5 piece band of the Roundabout revival, something even Sondheim publicly expressed his distaste in. I enjoyed David and Jenna, but I find Jake and Annaleigh more believable in these roles.

Updated On: 4/13/17 at 10:59 PM

Jake, Annaleigh, Phillip, Erin, Claybourne, Ruthie all signed last night (4/12)

I think this is a good sign for a cast recording. Perhaps I'm looking too much into it, but they usually reply to anybody who asks with this standard reply. Instead of saying "At this time, there are no plans for a cast recording," they replied "Stay tuned. Our fans will be the first to know if we are doing a cast recording." Also, and again, perhaps I'm looking far too much into it, but they answered the newest tweet in a quoted tweet (which shows up on your timeline) rather than just replying (which doesn't show up on your timeline) as they usually do with the old reply. Wishful thinking? Maybe. But I love a little hope.

chernjam said: "...Jake and Annaleigh are amazing and hard to beat. There's a warmth and humanity in their portrayals that makes it more accessible than I found with any of the other clips (Manny and Bernadette seemed incredibly annoying to me, cold, distant - from each other and most definitely from the viewer)"

I've only seen Patinkin and Peters in video clips as well, and I must agree with you. I found Mr. Patinkin very off-putting, and while I like Ms. Peters as a person, I find her singing voice a bit grating.

SDV said: "Has anyone sat in the last row of the mezz (aka dress circle)? Wondering about some seats marked "partial view.""

I just bought a ticket in last row of Dress Circle for Sunday. It didn't say partial view anywhere. I could not resist the price - I've been looking for an affordable ticket for a while now.

I watched the show yesterday and feel the experience is best described by what I imagine it is like to be on an acid trip. The show is incredibly unique and bizarre in the best possible way - it's easy to forget this when you listen to it on repeat or watch the OBC video over and over again but there is just no other show like this. The words that are spoken are not heard elsewhere. The themes that are explored are not often explored elsewhere. The music that is played is certainly not heard elsewhere. Watching this show is a bit like being off this planet. Did Sondheim write this show on LSD?

There is so much respect for the theatre taking place at the Hudson right now. From (and I know it sounds petty) the tasteful artwork of the show, to the reasonably sized orchestra to the esteemed cast, a myriad of cogs have all come together well in this almost-perfect production. Basically all of the supporting cast have breathed life in their characters that make it feel like watching the show for the first time, adding humour and making an impact in the little time they have on stage. Robert Sean Leonard and Erin Davie manage to create real people despite having by far the least interesting song in the show. Phillip Boykin’s deep voice and physical presence makes the Boatman actually seem threatening at times, which makes his second act transformation into camp the more hilarious and satisfying. Claybourne Elder manages to convey actual sexual chemistry with his scene partner (even if the direction here is a little heavy-handed), Ashley Park was hilarious and her voice really stood out from the ensemble at times – I actually would have loved to have seen her go on as Dot. I mean it’s just crazy scanning the names here – Ruthie Ann Miles? These people are probably beyond these roles but the respect they have for the show taking them pays off well for us, the audience.

No one shows more respect for the theatre than Jake Gyllenhaal in this show. I had only read some of the earlier comments at City Center so I wasn’t expecting what I saw on stage yesterday – a fully realised Tony-worthy performance with incredibly skilled/nuanced/deep acting and little compromises in vocal ability. The role has a lot of quiet moments and brooding, and I just was not expecting him to be able to create so many moments with this character from his facial expressions, eyes, crying etc. – nor did I expect him to be able to actually sing and act at the same time in a way rarely seen outside theatre professionals (see: Finishing the Hat). Nor did I think he would make the whole “Day Off” song work in a way I haven’t seen before, that was both hilariously comical but also really highlighted the eccentricity of the character (I must admit the audience did not seem to react as much during this song as I thought they should though).

Ashford was fine but this is very much Jake’s show. She does not have Bernadette’s personality, humour and unique vocals to steal the show from Jake. Maybe this is a good thing – it’s “Sunday in the Park with George” not “Sunday in the Park with Dot”. Similarly, there was nothing ‘wrong’ with Penny Fuller’s performance but I must admit I was thinking throughout that there would be so much subtext and nostalgia right now if Bernadette was playing that role.

In terms of the biggest ‘changes’, the new Chromolume arrangements are very much welcomed because the original ones are too much a product of their time now. And in keeping with the acid trip analogy sitting in the first few rows and being under these lights was a very bizarre experience indeed. I do wonder what they looked like from further back.

Also in keeping with the acid trip analogy, you are either on the train or you’re not. While I might have felt off this planet, seeing things I’d never seen before, hearing things I’d never heard before, thinking things I’d never thought before – seeing God - the person next to me was dozing off through most of the show (literally). Probably After Eight seeing the show for the 10th time because he ‘hates’ it so much. I also overheard a comment of someone saying they expected more given the reviews (among positive comments, too). As much as people like to criticise After Eight (and he is a hilarious troll that likes to stir the pot, don’t get me wrong), we have to acknowledge that there are probably a lot of Jake G fans who have or will get a rude shock when they see the show. It truly is bizarre and there is nothing like it. Still, it remains an incredibly rewarding experience being a Broadway theatre fan. We are so lucky.

I've always found George's The Day Off with the dogs quite bizarre, but for the first time, Jake's interpretation completely won me over on that section.

I was there today, and agree with the consensus and most recent posts. I'd add: Ashford's Marie -- that perfect southern accent, so perfect the audience is genuinely startled for a moment, realizing it's our Dot -- is the best one I've seen. Nothing twee or precious, her eyes steadfastly refuse to twinkle with old-lady wisdom. Her "Children and Art," one of Sondheim's jewels (and fairly definitive with its first interpreter, Peters) is just heartbreaking. She and Gyllenhaal earn every kudo. A week before closing this production is simply breathtaking.

Updated On: 4/16/17 at 08:02 PM

I wonder if Sondheim and members of the OBC will be in attendance on the closing performance this weekend. It would be truly magical.

So... no video recording, new cast album, or extension huh? :'(