SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in Performances (The 2017 Revival) — Page 6

You're gonna love it

Another note, they changed the color of Jake's dress shirt in act two to blue, it closely matches the color of Annaleigh's dress, which is a nice touch. It definitely seems that they are tinkering with minor things throughout previews.

Updated On: 2/16/17 at 01:57 AM

Since the day I sat through it, Sweeney Todd stands as the worst musical I have ever seen. But now with this new production, that ne plus ultra of snobs' and critics' darlings entitled Sunday in the Park With George is sinking ever closer to rock bottom. I never could have thought it possible, but this experience was even more painful, more torturous than when I suffered through it the first time. It's not that the music is any more headache-inducing, that the book is any more drab, boring, and pretentious, that it moves at any more of a snail's pace. What has heightened here is the hallowed "we-are-a- masterpiece" reverence it has conferred upon itself. It's not only pleased with itself, it's in awe of itself. Not only is every member of the audience expected to bow and scrape before it --- no dissent allowed, of course --- it bows and scrapes before itself all evening long.

You know how you have to eat a peppermint to get a sour taste out of your mouth? Similarly, I felt obliged to play La Cage aux Folles immediately upon returning home as an antidote to all this. Happily, it worked! Thank you, real music!

Updated On: 2/17/17 at 07:11 AM

After Eight said: "What has heightened here is the hallowed "we-are-a- masterpiece" reverence it has conferred upon itself. It's not only pleased with itself, it's in awe of itself. Not only is every member of the audience expected to bow and scrape before it --- no dissent allowed, of course --- it bows and scrapes before itself all evening long."

Yeah, when I dislike a show, I always go to everything by the same composer and every subsequent revival... makes perfect sense.

Well, Whizzer, I didn't know I wanted Jake to play Franklin Shepherd until you mentioned it!

Add me to the list of those who would pay top dollar to see Jake's Franklin Shepard.

Actually, I'd pay top dollar to see every performance Whizzer listed. Looking forward to seeing his George again next week after enjoying the concert at City Center.

I saw this last night after seeing it at City Center and was overwhelmed. I thought the projections were wonderful. A simple and thoughtful way to make the scenic design work without being over the top. though in the Sunday Act 1 Finale you can't really see the whole painting up on the curtain which was slightly annoying.

In terms of the cast other than Jake and Annaleigh who blew me away again I thought Boykin stole each one of his scenes. Davie and Leonard were good but I was not overwhelmed. I thought they delivered their lines well but they lacked some of the swagger and snobbery that are so essential for the roles. Ruth Ann Miles was great, just wish she had a chance to sing. David Turner was adequate but he really tried a little to hard on the French accent during the day off which was a little jarring given how diverse the casting for this production was. Penny Fuller was excellent but honestly I preferred Rashad-her Beautiful was otherworldly.

And what can I say the chromolume was something special. Its giving Great Comet a run for its money for all those lights. I had a perfect view in the third row of the dress circle-thanks to ljay for recommending it.

Hate to say it...but...I was completely bored. Caught the evening performance last night and it felt like Jake got off to a very slow start. He even blew some lines and seemed out of sorts until he found his footing mid-way thru act one. But it was very uneven throughout...there were a few times the show would start gaining momentum and then bam...just lose energy. I'm wondering if there's something going on we don't know about? Jake seemed way preoccupied when he came out last night. There's a tentativeness with the cast and that's the kiss of death for this show. I saw the Encores version and it felt so much fresher to me...there was something electric about the cast sitting on stage. You felt like you were seeing something special. It was fresh and alive and dare I say fun. Not last night kids. The revised staging just feels bland and uninspired. Actors were getting in each others way. It was just off. I'm a huge fan of Analeigh but her voice just got so grating to me last night...none of the depth or range of a Kristin Chenoweth who she sounds like. Absolutely the wrong role for her. Jake is solid vocally but Putting it Together was a complete miss for him. Frankly he just sulks around the stage for 2.5 hours. I didn't feel any chemistry or spark between Jake and Analeigh and I did during the Encores performance??? Maybe it was just an off night...who knows? Jake is usually so sexy and his costumes do nothing to help him. They're not cut right? On a positive note the Chromolume is very inventive and fresh but the actor playing the electrician is a total amateur. I felt him "acting" during his leaving scene. Just so you know the audience loved the show...I guess I'm the lone hold out. I cannot believe Sondheim thinks this is any good? But for 250.00 I expect better on Broadway. Yes it was a preview but really??? Also..warning...there are sound issues in this theatre, it was hot, the orchestra is weak, the projections cut on and off at weird times and overall the entire production felt sloppy, amateurish and frankly boring. I usually take Whizzer's reviews as the gospel but I just can't on this one...and I loved Jake in Constellations...cried through the last 20 minutes of it so I have to say in my opinion this is not Jake's best outing on Broadway. I needed more substance from him...and Analeigh's schtick didn't help at all. Last night they were in two different shows. The supporting cast actually worked really hard to give the night some much needed humor which I greatly appreciated. Brooks always knows what to do to get a scene moving...just like Nathan Lane.

Jake even looked lost during the curtain call...what does that tell you?

Jake regarding the Tony eligibility.

The show ends its run April 23, before nominations are announced, so the producers decided to withdraw it from consideration. “These awards are partially about getting attention and making sure people see shows that are still running,” Gyllenhaal notes. “There’s no reason to usurp any of that.”

http://variety.com/2017/legit/news/jake-gyllenhaal-broadway-sunday-in-the-park-with-george-1201989620/

Chad Eberle said: "I do have a dilemma, though, that I hope you'll help me with. Oddly, even though I consider Sunday one of my favorite musicals ever (listening to the score makes me cry every time), I haven't ever actually seen it."

I have a similar dilemma, and asked a composer friend who says Sunday is his favorite show as to his advice. And he told me to watch the video before seeing it live, so that I had a firm grasp of the story and music, so that I would better appreciate the new production and the nuances and choices, rather than having to grasp it all in that first sitting.

So, although I didn't do it yet (since I'm going to the final show of this run and have time yet), that is still the plan.

I don't fear not getting it, really. I just find most things get better with subsequent views, so in the case of a new musical, I try to go in fresh and with as little information as possible to make a purchase decision. If I like it, I'll just go again later. But for an older show that isn't revived as often, with a limited run, I wanted to ensure my first time seeing it live is as rich as possible. If that meant going in blank, as I am right now, I'd do that. But since I trust the person's advice, I'll watch the video version beforehand, probably not the night before, but a month or so out... let it simmer a bit.

For the same reasons, when asked, I've recommended people listen to the Hamilton OBCR before going to that show, since the option to just pop back in isn't the same as it is for most shows...

Thanks to those chiming in on whether or not to view this before attending it live. Unlike my husband, who prefers to go into shows cold with no knowledge whatsoever, I think I've decided to watch the OBC about a month out from when I'll be seeing the revival. I'm pretty sure my hubby is going to hate Sunday anyway (his loss) because he doesn't seem to appreciate Sondheim. I remember seeing the Company revival with Raul Esparza in 2007 and being utterly mesmerized and enthralled with the entire production. When the lights came up at the end, I saw hubby was asleep. He called it "the most expensive nap he ever took". Oh, well. His loss. Sondheim shows have always been my favorite in the musical theatre canon. There's so much pathos and emotion and wit and intelligence to them. Of the 8 shows we have booked for March, I'm looking forward the most to Sunday!

Very excited to see this production and the Hudson! Looks like a beautiful show and theatre.

Updated On: 2/16/17 at 02:18 PM

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "With all due respect, Mr. Eight, why would you attend a show you already dislike? I myself am a very picky theatre-goer. I only buy tickets to things I know I will love."

Actually that approach seems just as silly and close-minded as A8's! How on earth do you know what you're going to "love" before you've seen it?