SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE in Performances (The 2017 Revival)- Page 9

[TheaterGal3]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 4:48pm

For anyone who has seen it, would you know which section of the balcony is better? Aisle D far left ($59) or aisle E/F dead center ($79)? Does it make a difference at this point when I'm already way up there? Is the balcony too high blocking some of what's happening on stage? Thanks!

[Wick3]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 5:25pm

TheaterGal3 said: "For anyone who has seen it, would you know which section of the balcony is better? Aisle D far left ($59) or aisle E/F dead center ($79)? Does it make a difference at this point when I'm already way up there? Is the balcony too high blocking some of what's happening on stage? Thanks!"

You'll be fine with the $59 seat. Here is a view from balcony right side (view as seen from naked eye)... Though this wasn't far right side but I think you'll be fine. Spend the $20 on some champagne at the theater! They don't serve in sippy cups but real glass! 

https://m.imgur.com/a/Ssjvo

 

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 5:34pm

TheaterGal3 said: "For anyone who has seen it, would you know which section of the balcony is better? Aisle D far left ($59) or aisle E/F dead center ($79)? Does it make a difference at this point when I'm already way up there? Is the balcony too high blocking some of what's happening on stage? Thanks!"

You'll be much better off dead center.  I sat in row G center a few nights ago and the view of the chromolume (along with the rest of the stage) was perfect!  The sound is also great from up there.  If you're on the far side, you might miss some of the action stage right.  Whichever seat you choose --- enjoy!  The show is fantastic!

[steven22]

Posted: 2/25/17 at 12:22am

I sat in the balcony tonight, row D. Perfeft view. Easily the best balcony view I've seen. Great production! 

[chernjam]

Posted: 2/25/17 at 7:17pm

So I just returned from the afternoon matinee of Sunday in the Park with George (Feb 25th)   

For background - I was only very vaguely aware of the story... had heard the songs “Move on” “Putting it together” in different revues and contexts.  But for some reason was always curious about this show.  Not curious enough to have seen it in previous productions or revivals.  But with all the hype surrounding Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford starring in this limited run - when I went online, checked the map and saw a front row, dead center seat for today’s show for $200 - knowing there was nothing I had to do today that was pressing - and deciding not to wait till I found one of my friends or relatives who wanted to go/was available/blah blah blah - I decided simply to go by myself.

Thank God I did.  

Being at that performance today reminded me why I love theatre.  Being drawn into a story and meeting these people you’ve never heard of.... and in the process forgetting yourself, your worries as you go on this journey with these characters.  

What a beautiful production.  For you Sunday/Sondheim fans, please excuse some perhaps obvious observations by this neophyte:

The first act, I felt transported into the canvas and was meeting these figures that George was trying to capture.  By the end of that act, I was in tears as George had finally found the order, design, tension, balance, and harmony he was seeking...

The second act with George’s great grandson George struggling, suffocating in the family craft and finally finding the freedom to “move on” from inspiration from his distant relatives - was an unexpected, beautiful and moving twist - that had me in tears again.  

The cast truly lives up to the hype... Even smaller characters were memorable - for example Penny Fuller as the Old Lady/Blair was incredibly moving in her portrayals...   Annaleigh Ashford – who I was unfamiliar with till today - now I completely understand why she shares top billing with Jake Gyllenhaal.  What a beautiful woman: her presence, her voice - was simply beautiful.  

As for Gyllenhaal - I’m kind of shocked it’s taken him so long to make a musical theatre debut.  I remember reading people were surprised when he was in Little Shop of Horrors a few summers ago and then took this role last summer.  Whats more surprising is how long it’s taken him for to be a legitimate musical theatre star.  His voice was phenomenal... and his portrayal was masterful.  

For those wondering about the seating - yes front row was a little too close (I figured as much since three or four rows back the tickets were $150 more than what I paid) - but I really didn’t mind.  The actors were literally maybe 2 feet away from me - and getting to see them that upclose and actually seeing the tears running down their faces was an experience I will never forget (or regret)

Musically, Sondheim has never been a favorite of mine. I understand his style and technique were he uses dissonance and there’s not the full resolve of melody that people often are seeking.  And here it works very effectively - as the moments of full blooded song, melody, harmony, come together at the essential points.  I guess that’s why I had only really heard of “Finishing the Hat” and “Putting it together.”  In a sense it’s more of a play with music...  I don’t mean that to sound overly critical or dismissive (I hate when people do that to other composers)  It’s very effective live on stage.   But it’s hard for me to imagine listening to the soundtrack repeated times.  

That being said, I will never regret this Saturday afternoon spent on Sunday

[dev101]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 8:36am

Chernjam, you summed up how I felt last week pretty well!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 8:42am

Damn, those balcony seats are good. I have row E center, and now I believe they'll be swell.  Going Easter, by the way. Still seats available.  But not likely for long.

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 8:48am

chernjam said: "Musically, Sondheim has never been a favorite of mine. I understand his style and technique were he uses dissonance and there’s not the full resolve of melody that people often are seeking. And here it works very effectively - as the moments of full blooded song, melody, harmony, come together at the essential points.

In a sense it’s more of a play with music...  I don’t mean that to sound overly critical or dismissive (I hate when people do that to other composers)  It’s very effective live on stage. But it’s hard for me to imagine listening to the soundtrack repeated times."

I'm going March 8, but this is why I bought my ticket with reservations. I hope my reaction is similar to yours!

 

[lczvera]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 11:58am

Is Jake Gyllenhaal scheduled for all shows? I'm trying to get tickets as b-day gift for a friend who is a huge Gyllenhaal fan, and I cannot find any information on their website, so I hope it means that he is doing every show?

Thanks in advance!

[chernjam]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 12:01pm

lczvera said: "Is Jake Gyllenhaal scheduled for all shows? I'm trying to get tickets as b-day gift for a friend who is a huge Gyllenhaal fan, and I cannot find any information on their website, so I hope it means that he is doing every show?

Thanks in advance!"

The only reason Gyllenhaal wouldn't be in it is if he got sick

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 12:03pm

There is no alternate. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 2/26/17 at 1:12pm

I wasn't familiar with the show before last night and it was beautiful. All the performances were great and everyone had a moment to shine. Annaleigh really impressed me here, she was sensational and very funny. The show was incredibly moving too and I agree with the second act, which is sealed the deal on becoming one of my favorite shows. Sad I'm not going to get to see it again but don't miss it while it's here.

[TheaterGal3]

Posted: 2/27/17 at 1:31pm

Wick3, MinnieFay, steven22 and all who answered my question regarding balcony seating - thank you! Picked up the $59 seats because Wick, I like your thinking!

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 3/7/17 at 2:22pm

So excited to finally be catching this later on this week myself!

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 3/7/17 at 3:20pm

TheaterGal3 said: "Wick3, MinnieFay, steven22 and all who answered my question regarding balcony seating - thank you! Picked up the $59 seats because Wick, I like your thinking!"

Enjoy the show --- you'll have a great view up there --- and the sound is perfect, as well!  The design of the new theatre is really well done.

Also, as an added "bonus" --- there are "semi-secret" restrooms located in the balcony --- so no waiting on a line if you're quick at intermission!

[matineeidol2591]

Posted: 3/7/17 at 3:56pm

Caught this on Sunday 3/5.  Show started close to 30 minutes late. They announced that there was a problem but gave no specifics. 

Let me preface by saying that I'm a huge Sondheim fan and I love 'Sunday'. That being said, I was left cold by this revival. Gyllenhaal and Ashford gave performances that felt filmic as opposed to theatrical. There performances were no where near as rapturous and heartbreaking as Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin. Perhaps I would have felt differently if I wasn't sitting up in the balcony? (Although I was very pleased with my seats - and the new Hudson is glam to the max). 

The whole affair felt sleepy and disjointed. Between this and Miss Saigon- two shows that I truly enjoy, I had a disappointing weekend of theatre going. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/8/17 at 10:17am

Finally saw this last night, and it was absolutely breathtaking. 

What Ashford and Gyllenhaal do on that stage is effortless & deeply resonate. Ashford's Marie was unrecognizable..."Children and Art" was her finest moment of the evening. I've never seen a production where I've felt that Act 2 lived up to Act 1...until now. 

Penny Fuller's "Beautiful" was glorious, and brought out the best shades of Gyllenhaal's George. The entire ensemble was spectacular. Some that really stood out were Ashley Park as Celeste #1, Liz McCarthy as Mrs. and Erin Davie as Yvonne. The short scene late in Act 1 with Davie & Ashford was excellent, and reminded me how wonderful Davie is when cast well (Charlotte in NIGHT MUSIC, but not Violet in SIDE SHOW). 

As ljay has mentioned several times, if you can help it DO NOT spoil the Chromolume for yourself. Everyone I was with was grabbing each other in disbelief of what they were able to do. I was in the rear balcony and thought we had a perfect view of it. 

Don't miss this production - how I wish I could see it again. Also the restored Hudson is BEAUTIFUL. 

[Robert16]

Posted: 3/8/17 at 10:43am

I Usher at the Hudson and have seen "Sunday" a dozen times from the Balcony and every seat is a good one - go $59, you won't be dissapointed. Balcony is better than Rear Orchestra especially for Act 2 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/8/17 at 9:57pm

Caught the show this afternoon and was overwhelmed by it! I has seen the original and felt this version was superior to it. Gyllenhaal is giving one helluva performance as George and his singing voice is astonishing: he hits the notes straight on and sustains them beautifully. Meanwhile he has beautiful tonality and gorgeous chest tones. Will someone please do a production of COMPANY and cast him as Bobby? He should never leave the legitimate stage!

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/9/17 at 12:07am

The lack of a cast recording announcement is getting me a little nervous. I wonder if PS Classics being on hiatus is hindering things? Although I'd imagine most labels would jump at the chance to record Jake Gyllenhaal in Sondheim's masterpiece. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 3/9/17 at 12:27am

Just saw the show tonight from the 2nd row center orchestra and LOVED LOVED LOVED it! I first saw this production during previews and noticed a few changes: 

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

In the preview I watched a month ago, Annaleigh would fondly touch Jake's arm, back, hair, and beard during her first song (one of the production promo photos shows her touching his beard). This time around, she didn't touch his face at all.) 

During "Color and Light", Jake had 2 paintbrushes when I saw it in previews. Tonight, he didn't use any brushes at all but from his hand movements it was obvious that he was pointing the brushes to the canvas like dots.

Overall I was blown away again. Annaleigh really impressed me again with her interpretation of Dot. I got emotional when Annaleigh sang "We do not belong together" near the end of Act 1. From my view I saw her tears rolling down her cheeks.

 I hope to see this show again from the dress circle for a better view of  the chromolume. 

[chernjam]

Posted: 3/9/17 at 2:25am

Dollypop said: "Caught the show this afternoon and was overwhelmed by it! I has seen the original and felt this version was superior to it. Gyllenhaal is giving one helluva performance as George and his singing voice is astonishing: he hits the notes straight on and sustains them beautifully. Meanwhile he has beautiful tonality and gorgeous chest tones. Will someone please do a production of COMPANY and cast him as Bobby? He should never leave the legitimate stage!"

Thought the same thing Dollypop... how has it taken him this long to get on the musical theatre stage?  He's got a beautiful voice

[PianoMann]

Posted: 3/9/17 at 10:23am

ljay889 said: "The lack of a cast recording announcement is getting me a little nervous. I wonder if PS Classics being on hiatus is hindering things? Although I'd imagine most labels would jump at the chance to record Jake Gyllenhaal in Sondheim's masterpiece."

I agree, I'm nervous that this production won't be recorded, especially since it seems like a no-brainer to get Gyllenhaal's first Broadway musical recorded.

I wasn't aware that PS Classics has been on hiatus, but I just read their statement on their homepage. I was wondering why they hadn't picked up some of the recent shows I thought they would be tailor-made to release.

 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 3/9/17 at 11:11am

I saw this production on Tuesday night and really enjoyed it. Like others, I was somewhat familiar with the music (not very though) but had not seen the show performed. I was pretty blown away and it's a lot to take in on the first viewing, so I plan to go back again before it closes. 

I was very moved by the second half of the second act - and in a way that I almost couldn't pinpoint, like suddenly your eyes are wet. It was beautiful. Annaleigh Ashford stole the show for me - I knew she had great comedic timing but I was so impressed by her more dramatic scenes. There's so many talented people in the cast that it makes for quite a powerful ensemble. 

The Hudson Theatre is gorgeous and the whole experience is so much more civilized and relaxing! For those wondering about seating, I sat in the second row of the dress circle/mezz which was an awesome seat - you're very close to the action and can take it all in. I can imagine that the balcony would be great too and very well priced. 

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 3/9/17 at 6:18pm

Apologies if this has already been covered, but has a cast album been announced?