SUNDAY at City Center performance thoughts/reviews — Page 3

That's fair. But it does sound like your expectations were possibly too high. This is not material you can master with one weeks rehearsal, no real director at the helm, and with one performance with an orchestra. As many others have said, this was designed as a one night benefit concert to raise money for City Center. In some ways it would've been counterproductive to add the production elements people are complaining were absent.

But I do hope Jake Gyllenhaal returns to this part at some point and a full production. He's way too good and right for the role not to.

LITTLE SHOP was the surprise where we learned Jake had the chops for a musical. SUNDAY IN THE PARK is where we learned he has the chops for the best musicals.

Tonight was where we learned he has the vocal chops to sing one of the toughest contemporary male musical theatre roles beautifully.

Kad said: "I think you were expecting something that was never really promised. This was never meant to be a deeper presentation of the material. It was initially a one-night fundraiser for City Center. "



You are 100% right. This wasn't even an Encores! production. I think some people expected too much. I cannot wait until tomorrow night.

I agree Kad. I was frankly shocked by his vocal abilities tonight. This is not like seeing a Hugh Jackman that did musical theater before becoming a movie star. This is the discovery that there is a huge movie star they can sing af the level of a Broadway leading man.

Because Broadway is a business, and it doesn't exist unless there are people headlining it who can sell tickets. And in this day and age, it frankly often takes a movie star to sell a Broadway show. So those who are excited at seeing a full-blown movie star who it turns out is musically gifted dedicate so much of their time passion and interest to the musical theater, where their contribution could elevate both the press and commercial success of the industry is indeed very exciting.

Updated On: 10/24/16 at 11:37 PM

I won't get to see this production but it also baffles me why they didn't pick Carmen over Ashford. I love them both but Carmen is BY FAR the better actress. I'm sure Jake was brilliant in his own way but after hearing him clips of his nice voice I can think of over twelve broadway men who sing better. I wish I could have stretched the money for a ticket but there were other things I'd rather see.

Annaleigh Ashford is a Tony award winning actress with a half a dozen Broadway credits. Carmen Cusack made a big splash last season in her Broadway debut in a flop musical. Why would there be any question which woman they would pick to play the leading role in a benefit concert?



and let's be quite clear, this concert would never have happened if Jake Gyllenhaal weren't at the head of it. There probably will also never be a Broadway revival of the show again either unless a movie star of his status wants to play the role.



If you would like to go Dreamcast the 12 Broadway chorus boys you think could sing the role of George best in your fantasy production, go ahead, but the rest of us will hang out here in Broadway real world.

Updated On: 10/24/16 at 11:50 PM

Uh Oh! Some people are asking for trouble in here...BroadConc, there you did it! You went and called JG "pretty" (that's like saying your girlfriend is fat, look out)! I know what you mean, but he's more than that. If you saw or heard anything from "Little Shop" you can tell he can sing and does have a very good voice. He's talked about his passion for theater and musicals; I'm glad he's doing it. It's like seeing Daniel Radcliffe announced to do "How To Succeed In Business..." and (not knowing what an incredible triple threat he really is), being blown away after seeing his performance(s).

Some of the other comments may be honest, but if you're buying tickets to see one of the greatest works of "art" (no pun intended) in the history of not only musicals but theater, to see Zachary Levi (and "don't step on toes!" I love ZL too)...well, maybe this isn't for you. Buy the cd or read a musical history wikipedia bio, it's Sondheim! "SITPWG didn't start yesterday. (and raise your hand if you knew why there are 13 pieces in the orchestra!)

That's enough; I won't be mean anymore. I'm very much looking forward to being there on Wednesday.

btw, QA & K rock!

Updated On: 10/25/16 at 12:08 AM

ljay889 said: "mpkie said: "I'm not a self ascribed Gyllenhaal fan but every time I hear Jake sing, I fall a little bit more for him. Good lord, someone give him a meaty role in an awesome Broadway musical already and let me see it, stat! I an prepared to swoon at him, just make it happen!"

It's fine if the show wasn't your cup of tea, but George IS considered one of the best and meatiest male roles in all of musical theater. "

And I think he did a fine job of it, hence why I rate his performance so highly and he was certainly the highlight. I should rephrase because Sunday is a Broadway musical, but I actually specially meant a *Broadway production*.

To the other comment, I think I knew I wasn't going to like the show too much because I already tried to listen to some official recordings and read the full synopsis, but still tired to be open minded... Sad I missed Jake in LSOH (y'all hyped Jake real good!) but Zach and Carmen's inclusion was the tipping factor. I think it being called one of the greatest works of art is what is baffling me, cuz when you hype it like that, it better meet everyone's expectations. But of course art is a matter of taste. Nothing wrong with that.

Also nothing wrong with being drawn in for different reasons. I'd never heard of Sunday (or most classic Broadway shows) before, since I didn't grow up on theater and only really started watching last year.

P.S. Who buys CDs anymore

Okay, I decided to sleep on the show to see what was really irking me about it, since I've been getting so many points from others. Kad, I've kept in mind that this wasn't ever meant to be anything close to a full production. QueenAlice, I completely understand why Gyllenhaal's prospects are exciting from a commercial standpoint, even if I still don't think he's a stupendously good stage performer (and even though you crossed over into condescension, but I digress).

I think I'm just frustrated that they selected this show specifically for the scale they had in mind. I think it's a disservice to this specific text to put up a public performance of it, charge rather hefty tickets, and not have full-scale costumes, scenic work, and direction. Why didn't they pick Company? Why not Sweeney Todd? Both have meaty Sondheim roles that could've equally given Jake the opportunity to demonstrate his skill set in, and in a stage environment that doesn't necessitate so much around him. Sunday textually requires more than a bare minimum.

I understand this was to raise money, and I continue to understand that the rehearsing intention was never to deeply explore or magnificently present the show. But I'm annoyed how much money I paid for something I don't think matched in quality. Keep telling me how wrong I am, but that's how I feel.

Cry me a river, Joey. How wildly presumptuous of you to assume my level of philanthropy. This is far from the first benefit concert I've attended and paid well for. Charity doesn't mean my standards ought to be lowered.