Sunday In The Park With George plays final performance on Broadway
The Roundabout Theatre Company's presentation of the Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of Sunday in the Park with George, book by James Lapin, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, plays its final performance at Studio 54 on 29 Jun 2008 as scheduled. When the play closes it will have played 32 previews and 149 regular performances.
Sunday in the Park with George opened at Studio 54 on 21 Feb 2008, following previews from 25 Jan 2008, for a run that was originally scheduled to end on 27 Apr 2008, but was extended three times through to 29 Jun 2008.
The musical opened to mostly excellent Reviews: "Do not miss this brilliant production." (NY Theatre Guide); "Ravishing score, performed with gleaming delicacy."; (NY Times); "Fear not. It's still magic." (NewsDay); "Builds relentlessly to an emotional finale." (Journal News); "Extraordinarily touching." (The Record); "An absolute joy." (Associated Press); "An experience to be savored." (Variety).
The Georges Seurat painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette, is the inspiration for this musical fantasy which celebrates the art of creation and the creation of art.
The first half of Sunday in the Park with George, set in 1884, sees the painting and its rich comic tapestry come to life in a world where, for Georges, art comes before love, before everything. In the second half, set in 1980s New York, we see the great grandson of Georges and his search for inspiration amongst the unfolding world of contemporary art.
Directed by Sam Buntrock, the musical features Daniel Evans as George, Jenna Russell as Dot, Michael Cumpsty as Jules/Bob, Alexander Gemignani as Boatman/Dennis, Jessica Molaskey as Yvonne/Naomi and Mary Beth Peil as Old Lady/ Blair.
The ensemble for the production features Ed Dixon (Mr. Charles), Santino Fontana (Soldier/Alex), Kelsey Fowler (Louise), Jessica Grove (Celeste #2/Silent Artist), Alison Horowitz (Louise), Stacie Morgain Lewis (Frieda/Betty), Drew McVety (Louis/Billy), Anne Nathan (Nurse/Mrs. Harriet), Brynn O'Malley (Celeste #1) and David Turner (Franz/Lee).
Sunday in the Park with George was nominated for nine Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical (Daniel Evans) and Best Actress in a Musical (Jenna Russell).
The design team comprises David Farley (Set and costumes), Ken Billington (lighting) and Sebastian Frost (sound.)
The production originally opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory on the 29 Nov 2005 and extended its sold-out limited run before playing its final performance on 12 Mar 2006. Due to its success at the box office, and critical acclaim, the musical transferred to London's West End, playing at the Wyndham Theatre from 13 May - 2 Sep 2006.
The London production of Sunday in the Park with George swept the board at the 2007 Laurence Olivier Awards, winning five awards: Outstanding musical production; best musical actor (Daniel Evans) and actress (Jenna Russell); and best lighting & set design.
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