Sunday in the Park with George concert — Page 2

so yesterday was the day i saw "Sunday in the..." at Ravinia. We got there at 5:30pm and it was already getting crowded. Luckily i got a really good spot right by the pavillion. They were handing out cards to write down questions to be asked by the hose of the interview. Then, at 6:30 they opened the pavillion for the discussion with sondheim and James Lapine. The discussion was pretty interesting. I knew nothing about this show (except for what you guys told me) and this was a nice intro for me. It didnt feel real that a few feet away from me was a great composer of our time. They talked about how the show was created and a lot of other tid-bits. With a few minutes to spare, they went through some of the questions that were written on those cards....and tada! mine was picked. The host only asked one of the two questions i wrote down. My first one that wasnt answered was, "Do you check any of those broadway message boards and do you think they help broadway and theatre?" and my second one that WAS asked and answered was, "Is there musical that you wish you could re-do? What musical and what would you like to change?" Sondheim's response was that he first wanted to re-do some parts in Into the Woods but now he thinks its fine. It was so cool to see two broadway greats on that stage and i got to see it live. *faints*

Now for the performance, i had to stand during the whole show because we bought lawn tickets and not pavillion tickets..so it was kinda like standing room only (thank God i bought my binoculars). This performance was supposed to be a concert...but it was more like a regular show just without sets (like someone said). I thought Audra McDonald was a little miscasted, but she still had a knock-out voice and it was an honor to hear it live on stage...she really shined during the performance. Michael Cerveris was just as good but when Cerveris and McDonald sang together...sometimes it didnt sound right. Patti LuPone was WAY underused. I was hoping to hear more of her but unfortunatly that role is underwritten.
The second act didnt really make sense to me. I guess it felt like the second act had no meaning and it left me feeling *what is the point*. Maybe it was the way it was directed or something but i coulda been done with just the first act.
The show overall is pretty good. It really didnt have any memorable songs except for the opening, act one finale, and the song Move On. The rest was just so-so. I am definitley happy that i got the chance to see this production....a true once in a life time experience especially since i saw Sondheim in person.

STAGE DOOR: I waited by the gate and unfortunatly Michael, audra, and patti didnt come out. Sondheim came out...but didnt stop to sign any autographs. It was funny because everyone just stood in awe and then finally clapped.

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Updated On: 9/5/04 at 06:43 PM

Plum is right; I just want to add that the second act also shows how art has changed a century later, and has become intertwined with commerce. While Georges Seurat just lived poorly and painted what he loved, George is concerned with "putting it together" and making sure his art is interesting and edgy (as well as funded). This concern of his that his art must always be "something new" eventually makes him lose any inspiration at all. Dot comes back in the end and reminds him of why he's an artist in the first place: "Give us more to see."

I personally like the second act more than the first. The first act is rather straightforward, but the second act gives it a melancholic tint.

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Sorry for seeing this so late. Kgee30,I got backstage to meet Patti because I know the President and CEO of Ravinia.

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I have loved Ravinia since the first time I was there in 1977.
It is gorgeous! Wolf Trap (loved the old theatre much better), ArtPark, Blossom all have their charms, but Ravinia is magical.

Be sure and see The Joffrey Ballet there this week. It's a celebration of Balanchine: Apollo, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Tarantella adn Square Dance.

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You can't go wrong with Balanchine and these works are among his best. The weather is reported to be good too (so far!)

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im with you on the audra love. she shined during sunday in the park with george and move on. color and light left me wanting a bit more, but i cant seem to pin point any concrete reason why ... im planning on writing a full review later on this evening, ill talk more about everything then!

I don't see anything wrong in having a bold Dot.

Huh? D'you mean black? Because I don't have a problem with that either. But I do have a hard time imagining Ms. McDonald being very Dot-ish. (Judging by her work in Ragtime and her Seven Sins concert.)

But I'm probably very prejudiced by having Bernadette Peters' portrayal so deeply imprinted in my mind.

Is there one more Sondheim show at Ravinia next year? I know they did Sweeney, Night Music, Passion, and Sunday.

"Somewhat overindulgent..."

Updated On: 9/7/04 at 12:53 AM

from kgee's post: The summer ends as all summers should, and I am reminded. Lesson: Ask yourself every day, again and again and again, in the midst of all this deep, unknowing darkness: what is your greatest joy in life? And then find an answer.

That is so beautiful. Thanks for a thoughtful, amazing post that brought a tear to my eye at the end.

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ooohh. Do tell...Please!

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Anyone Can Whistle! I love ACW!

Here's my cast, assuming the regulars from this year are in it:

Cora: Patti
Hapgood: Michael
Fay: Audra

Just seems like the obvious choices.