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Sunday in the Park With George Reviews
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| 16 |
surprisingly unengaging Review by: relieved to leave, Mar 9, 2008 |
| I've got to say I found the show boring and unengaging. It creates very little interest in the characters. I went with three friends and we were all considering leaving after the first act. See this show only if you're a real Sondheim fan. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
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| 17 |
A Disappointing Sunday Review by: Theatergoer, Mar 7, 2008 |
I saw the original production and was enthralled. Though not a fan of Mandy P., he was perfect for the role of the self-absorbed artist and his vocal dexterity was just what this difficult score required. As for Bernadette Peters, she is one of a kind, and she brought the warmth and heart to a show that is very much lacking in these qualities otherwise.
This production, while clever, is cold and static. The set,... read more, about which the reviewers are raving, looks like a room, with doors and walls. It never turns convincingly into a park. When Seurat is painting, he stands behind rather than in front of the painting. His engagement with his art is, therefore, lost to the audience, and the art work itself looks more like a slide than a painting. The male lead is generally flat, though much better in the second act. The female lead is very weak. She is angular and plain and her voice has an abrasive quality to it. She cannot even turn the "Everbody Loves Louie" song into the charming piece it appeared to be in the original. No one else in the show much matters. All other parts are secondary at best, so without two powerful leads and an effective production, there is not much here. The score is interesting but not absorbing or entertaining. I recently saw "Company" with Raul Esparza. What an evening in the theater! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 18 |
Disappointing Review by: JT, Mar 6, 2008 |
I saw the show last night and was not very impressed. With all of the hoopla surrounding this production, and generally good reviews, I feel it was a let down.
The two lead characters, George and Dot, are not strongly portrayed. The performances are rather dull and stereotypical, especially that of George. There is no depth to his character, he's just your average brooding, loud, disconnected artist. And the actor playing him has a very weak ... read more voice, really not up to the level of leading man status. The actress playing Dot was more appealing, she certainly had more to offer in her role than he did.
Regarding the show itself, it's not as good as Sondheim's other work. "Company" and "Sweeny Todd" are far better. The book and songs are very shallow and there really isn't much to it. The "showstopper" if you will comes at the end of the first act, and it is really the only great moment in the whole 3 hour ordeal.
Personally I feel that the threshold of artistic greatness has dropped to a very low level in today's theater. This is why a mediocre production such as this is touted as something more special than it really is. But when you compare it to the other shows on Broadway right now, it's not half bad, certainly better than many others which are just plain awful. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 19 |
Brilliant Review by: rmark, Feb 27, 2008 |
I was looking forward to this show for a while now and I was not dissapointed at all. The digital imaging brilliantly added to the beautiful music.
This show is not a "mega" musical, but a show that must be listened to, much like most of Sondheim's shows.
Looing forward to seeing it again |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 20 |
Appealing for a narrow segment of theater-goers Review by: CSJT, Feb 26, 2008 |
| Sorry ... this show was a little boring. It is a novel idea for a show but I just did not get the second act at all. I went on a Saturday and fought to stay awake through the show. The set was amazing but not amazing enough to justify the time & cost of attending. To be fair, as others have mentioned, some people in the theater truly appeared to enjoy the show. Unfortunately, I was not one of them. To be honest, I was happy ... read more during the ovation because the show was finally ending (maybe other were too?). This show might be better suited for the conflicted artist who is torn between his / her art & family / friends .... but then the second act comes along. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 21 |
A BRILLIANT AND CHALLENGING MUSICAL Review by: Beth M, Feb 22, 2008 |
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, written on opening night, February 21, 2008
By Beth Mandelbaum
As George said more than once when asked about his feelings was that he didn’t have the words. When Sunday in the Park with George was over, I did not have the words, only tears.
To me, the Roundabout revival ranks among the most profoundly beautiful theatrical experiences that I have had. I would like to share that I am writing ... read more from the perspective of a “die hard” Sondheim fan, who has been extremely fortunate to have seen nearly all of his musicals (and revivals) since 1970, when the groundbreaking landmark musicals such as Company and Follies changed the landscape and direction of the American musical theater.
I would have to say that for me Sunday in the Park may be his most difficult musical, in terms of its concept and its score. I strongly agree with other Broadwaybox reviewers who mentioned how helpful it is to listen to the score and also to take a look at the video/DVD of the original cast production as preparation. It will be well worth your time and effort. I saw the original production but that was years ago. I rented the video and watching it made a world of difference.
I would also strongly recommend using a hearing assisted device, easily rentable at the coat rack area in the lobby (you need to bring a photo I.D. or a credit card). This way you are unlikely to miss a lyric or a note of music, plus it enhances concentration as it also helps to block out some of the distractions in the audience that so often occur during performances.
Sondheim is known for breaking away from the so called “traditional book musical” (not that these aren’t wonderful and brilliant, they are just different), which tends to focus on a narrative plot that moves forwards naturally, carried along by songs which are generally very tuneful and accessible, and also by energetic choreography with wonderful dancers.
Sondheim’s musicals tend to be different, with plots that move in tricky and curious ways, sometimes moving in and out of time and space (in ways that are different from flashbacks), with music that is often non traditional as well. Sometimes his songs can seem a bit jarring, with lyrics that can feel unusual in the way they are put together and music that often defies tradition and can sometimes seem inaccessible on first hearing, which is why it feels so important to study it in advance.
When you walk into Studio 54 what you see are bare white walls, doors and some white curtains, bringing to mind the way George describes an unpainted canvas, as a” blank page,” which allows the artist many ”possibilities.” To some extent, this musical is a living testament to watching the artistic process at work. And the evolution of the painting, “A Sunday on La Grand Jatte” (an island in Paris’ River Seine which was a place where many people actually spent their leisure time), painted in a two year period in the late 19th century, is brilliantly conveyed by an amazing use of animation and imagery that is generated by computer and projected on to the stage.
To me, Sunday in the Park With George is about the intensity of the creative process, in this case, the work of an artist, though it could just as easily apply to other art forms, and to just about anything that deeply enmeshes one in their work as they move towards perfecting it. With George, the artistic/creative process is at a point of obsession, a word that is used in the musical, in which much of the rest of the world seems at times to fall away, sadly, including his mistress Dot, who loves him deeply but at the same time feels neglected, ignored and even insulted. For all of George’s brilliance as an artist, he seems to fail in maintaining and nurturing significant relationships, because his art always comes first. And while many of the figures in George’s painting come to life in humorous and |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 22 |
Why... Review by: JakeAaron, Feb 22, 2008 |
| Let's get it out of the way: the production was stunning. However what is not is the acting and singing. Why the original 11 piece orchestration is not used is a crime. Why does everyone have silly British accents in Act I? Why do actors seem to wander without purpose. Why does George in Act II turn into a fop? Why does Marie in Act II sing "Children and Art" in the wheelchair at an angle suggesting cerebral palsy? Why does she die at the ... read more end of the song? Why in Act II is there such animosity between George and his ex? Why do the leads sing so poorly...frighteningly out of tune? Why do the actors not act and react? Why can't the ensemble sing in tune? Why was I thinking about where I misplaced a cd during the unending second Act? Why were the tempi ridiculously slow? |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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| 23 |
Boring!!! Review by: inga, Feb 19, 2008 |
I think, the show is extremely boring, especially the second act. The displays are interesting enough, but that's the only thing to watch.
The music is none -the songs are not really music, just some sounds. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 24 |
Excellent Revival Review by: wdk921, Feb 13, 2008 |
I saw this show on Feb. 9 and was simply blown away. The entire show was wonderful, the acting (particularly from Jenna Russell and Daniel Evans) was phenomenal. The sets were also ingenious and excellently designed.
Get yourself to this brilliant revival of this Pulitzer winning masterpiece now!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults, Anyone
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| 25 |
Watch original on tv Review by: Al10Chim, Feb 13, 2008 |
| Way overhyped. Original was moving this production is not. Direction terrible. Only 5 muscians. When painting comes to life all out ot perportion. Watch the tv version of the original and spend the big bucks on a show that's worth the money. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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| 26 |
Getting to the POINT.. the show is great! Review by: rskblueyes, Feb 13, 2008 |
Saw the Feb 12 preview. This was one instance where the revival of a Sondheim show was able to surpass the original production. The first thing that was impressive about this new production was the staging, set, and lighting. These production values enhanced the first act greatly, and was able to put yourself in the mind of Geprge Sueratt
The two stars of this production although not well known names like Patinkin and Peters outshined the ... read more originals.
The orchestra was smaller then the original production, but this allows the audience member to really hear the lyrics without sacrificing the melody.
The only negative for me, which is no fault of this production, is that 2nd Act of this show is not as compelling as the first act.
It was nice to see the Roundabout bring this gem of a show to Broadway, |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 27 |
Ho hum show but wonderful sets! Review by: Soula, Feb 11, 2008 |
| saw it on February 9. the story had some interesting parts but overall it was quite boring. the sets and animation were wonderful and worthy of awards! i like they way the painting was recreated. unfortunately, the songs lacked luster and the story was quite strange at times. but it was broadway and even bad broadway is good. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Seniors
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| 28 |
what just happened? Review by: , Feb 10, 2008 |
| painfully boring indeed. songs were well sung, but the story line, lyrics, and music were lacking incredibly. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Seniors
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| 29 |
Children and Art Review by: Heather, Feb 8, 2008 |
| I saw this at Studio 54 on Feb. 6th thanks to a friend's extra ticket. This is the London production, which won all kinds of acclaim and rightly so. It's simply WONDERFUL. Now, it's not for everyone, true. Not if you're aching for a stage full of high kicks and big numbers, no. It is for the theatre-goer who craves more than a confection, who wants to be bothered with the examination of things. To me, it is Sondheim's brilliant meditation on ... read more living a creative life -- how to love and be loved, what is sacrificed, what must be understood, how to play the game, how to be true to yourself. Big topics with uneasy answers. I saw it when it first came out so many years ago when I was 15 and, looking back now, I think it informed many decisions I would come to make. This show has that kind of power, and this production does not disappoint. Have a good dinner then tuck into your seat. There is magic ahead. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 30 |
Review by: steve, Feb 4, 2008 |
| The star of this production was the projection graphics, absolutely awe-inspiring. Talented cast, great lead, though Jessica Molaskey's voice was underused. The second act dragged quite a bit for me. Too long in the art gallery scene. The plot device doesn't work for me since this isn't a character-driven play. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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