SUNDAY Reviews

AMNY shot their load a bit early today:

"Roundabout Theatre Company really ought to rename Studio 54 as The Stephen Sondheim Theatre -- or at least something like Studio Sondheim. Or even Sondheim 54.

The company's revival of "Sunday in the Park with George" follows their productions of Sondheim's "Company," "Follies," "Assassins" and "Pacific Overtures." And word on the street is that "Merrily We Roll Along" is next on the list.

The quality of these revivals has been a mixed bag. While "Assassins" was perfect, the others disappointed. But "Sunday in the Park," which is based directly on Sam Buntrock's London production, is nothing short of a triumph that is worthy of an extended run.

Daniel Evans (George) and Jenna Russell (Dot), who won Olivier Awards in London, shun the starry, idiosyncratic touches of Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters, who originated their roles. Both deliver extremely sensitive, nuanced performances that allow "Sunday," one of the most difficult musicals ever, to resonate emotionally like never before."

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/am-sunday,0,7009020.story

Brilliant show!

and norn- you better illustrate Sunday in the Park too!

J*

saw it last night and loved it! :)

Hot damn!

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It had better get across-the-board raves or I will loose faith in everything. This is my favorite show in the world! I'm so excited to see it!

Variety is a Rave:

While the show's frame of reference extends to all artists, the parallels between the composer and both Georges are startling. The choice of unconventional subject matter, the refusal to be ruled by commercial instincts, the charges of being remote and cerebral, the ambivalent relationship with critics, the compromises and thankless schmoozing required to secure funding, the challenges of collaboration -- these considerations make "Sunday in the Park" the most transparently confessional of Sondheim's works.

It's a difficult but infinitely rewarding musical of disparate elements that combine to achieve true harmony, bringing passionate insight to the relationship between art, artists and audience, and to the boundless possibilities of art itself. The clarity and depth of understanding in this revival make it an experience to be savored.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936285.html?categoryid=33&cs=1

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Loverly pics.

Ehh, not by me. I LOVE Company. But I think SUNDAY'S score beats COMPANY. Follies, Sweeney, and Sunday are at the top in my cannon.

Yes, but Barnes is also afraid to be unpopular. COMPANY is considered by most Sondheads to be high in the cannon, while SUNDAY is somewhat lower

Which Sondheads?

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Regardless of the critical response, I'm still excited about seeing the show. Based on BWW poster opinions, I bought a ticket for the show when I'm in NYC in March. Though I've had the OBCR for many years, I've rarely listened to it. Since buying my ticket, I've been listening to it quite a bit, and have to say I truly love the score.

"COMPANY is considered by most Sondheads to be high in the cannon, while SUNDAY is somewhat lower."

As a ten-year member of Sondheim.com (here I'm only a "Broadway Legend," there I'm a "God") I have to disagree with this.

I would say that, among sondheads, Sunday is almost always above Company on their lists of favorites. In fact, I'd say that if a poll were taken you'd find Sunday in either first or second place (battling it out with Sweeney) with Follies a close third (because it inspires obsession among fans yet has too many book problems) and Company just behind that.

But in any case, thanks for posting the reviews. I'm thrilled at the positive response this production is getting and am counting the days until I get to see it myself.

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Nice! Thanks for posting that! I've been trying to explain the projections to my husband and that was a nice moving example of some of them.

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My wife and daughter are more into the Jersey Boys / Xanadu /Wedding Singer type 'fun,pop rock' shows and they both enjoyed this 10x more than they thought (and actually want to try to see it again) !!