SUNDAY Reviews — Page 3

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02222008/entertainment/theater/by_george__revivals_pretty_as_a_picture_98690.htm

3 Stars from Barnes. He liked it, but hated the second act, and warns readers.

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte," is one of the most visually amazing shows ever to reach Broadway.

Evans and Russell - both brought over from Buntrock's West End cast - seem to have Tony Award written all over them.

Do go and see this unmissably innovative piece of musical staging - but don't blame me if, at the end, you feel you might have done better to leave at the intermission.

Updated On: 2/22/08 at 12:43 AM

"Putting It Together," come Tony time, Sam Buntrock should be lauded for his efforts.

Clive Barnes never did get this show. It is the second act that provides the heart and without out it the first act is just an excuse to create a stage tableau of the paiting.

In 1984 Barnes wrote: "It simply doesn't sing... It might be easier to go to the park with anyone than to spend it boringly in the theatre with George."

Later after it won the Pulizre Prize he tried to backpeddle but his words are there for all to see.

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Am I the only person that thinks the second act is absolutely essential to clarifying the mission and vision of the piece? I really don't understand the near-uniform dislike. While the first act by itself comes a fine conclusion in the creation of the painting, I don't think the emotional or intellectual conclusion is nearly as eminent as it is in the second act.

The whole bit in Talking Broadways review that really Puzzled me was when he was harping on about the show is now in a venue thats 5 times bigger than its UK home.

Well yes Studio 54 is a lot bigger than the Chocolate Factory but the show moved in to the west end and did fine there.

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Wow... I wonder who Alexander Gemignani schtupped over at the Financial Times to get that positive mention.

I thought he was pretty terrible.

And sad not to see any mention of Stacie Morgain Lewis, whom I thought turned out a delightfully hysterical Frieda.

A couple of things...

Without the second act, this musical wouldn't have won the Pulitzer Prize. That's a FACT, not an opinion. It would not have qualified as showing "American life" on any level at all, so it wouldn't have been eligible for the award.

I agree that without the second act, you don't have the whole story or the intent, just like Into the Woods. It's the second acts of both that really tell us something. Act 1 for Sunday is about creating art and the sacrifices made in order to do that. Act 2 is about connecting to art, understanding it, and learning from it.

Act 1 is the "cause." Act 2 is the "effect." That's true for both shows. I wouldn't want to see one without the other, ever.

I'm very glad to see Mary Beth Peil getting these notices. I have loved her ever since I saw her as Anna opposite Yul Brynner in the "farewell tour" of The King and I. She was actually a friend and colleague of my voice teacher in college, and she showed up one day right in the middle of my voice lesson (!), and sat in on the session. She was lovely and charming in every way possible, not intimidating in the least. Even though I was seeing her as Anna just a few nights later!

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Updated On: 2/22/08 at 01:20 PM

Best, after these reviews. Do you think Mary Beth could sneak into the featured actress category as a nominee? I hope so. Even Jessica Molaskey got great notices.

Updated On: 2/22/08 at 01:33 PM

I, too, am glad for Mary Beth's notices. Although I wasn't a fan of Cumpsty's performance and yet he, too, is getting fine notices.

And yes, the London recording is wonderful. Jenna Russell is one of only two actresses I've heard give full fledged performances on a recording (Toni Collette in The Wild Party is the other).

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*hands dear ray a compass*

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*hands dear ray a compass*

Hey! I was hungover and hadn't had much sleep Mistake fixed *blush*

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I'm thrilled to see the show getting such wonderful reviews! I wasn't sure if I would catch it again when I head to NYC in a few weeks (saw it twice in London and loved every second), but I definitely will have to see it now. I'm quite interested in seeing Mary Beth's performance after reading the great notices for her.

Any idea when they will extend the discount code for this? I'd love to see this when I'm there in May.