A Stunning Musical Despite Act II
Added 11/14/2009
For those who know this musical, whether in its original cast version or its UK revival, the visceral beauty of the work will come as no surprise. It is the show that converted me to Stephen Sondheim, made me hungry to learn more about the mysterious, short-lived Georges Seurat and convinced me that Bernadette Peters can excel at any role she takes. Ironically, and even for the period during which it was produced, the video's color resolution could have been far better, since Seurat's pigments for La Grande Jatte paled over time, too. Still, this is a work of sublime beauty and fine performances. Composed in almost symphonic form with perfect casting and jaw-dropping stagecraft, it was worthy of the Pulitzer Prize it received. James Lapine's book is filled with moments of great warmth, rage and humor. It taps the universals in one story with grace and polish.
I will risk the consternation of those who believe the second act is a true cousin to the first. I do not. I would have preferred a slightly longer first act performed without break for two reasons. First, Act I tells most of us a story about which we never knew. While the fictions Lapine injected into Act I were necessary -- we know so little about Seurat's reclusive life after all -- Act II speaks to us in large part about the callousness of the contemporary art market we already know. For a little while, the book falters, then recovers its footing about halfway through.
In an era of cerebral musicals and pale revivals, some of which hold up onstage but not on recordings, Sunday in the Park with George is one hell of a musical. It has everything we seek when we go to musical theater; and the video producers really gave it a go, creating the permanent document of a timeless work and an era that has passed. The cast is uniformly fine.
As one who completed an advanced degree in art history, I also have a special love for the painting and artist about whom the musical is based. In the subtext of Sondheim's work, then, is the admonition that we not forget these heroic figures, and that we pass their stories on to our children. I agree. Five easy stars.
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One of the 5 Greatest Musicals of all time!!!
Added 2/23/2009
I was blessed to see this production live, and I have watched this filmed performance about 10 times, and listnened to the cast recording about 100 times...and each and every time I discover something deep and beautiful and new! It says so much about...so much! Patinkin and Peters bring such tenderness to the work...creating a perfect balance to Sondheim's purposely "bizarre, fixed, cold" masterpiece! And the end makes me get misty eyed each and ever time! It's hard to "Move On" from Sunday--It will stay with you forever...
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Sunday in the Park
Added 11/23/2008
I purchased this video to show in my art history class. The musical shows such beautiful set designs, and it gives the viewer an idea of the kind of art that Georges Seurat created. My students loved the video, and we enjoyed creating artwork using pointillism.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Mandy Patinkin is a god among men
Added 7/17/2008
This is a fabulous production. The quality of cinematography is much higher than earlier Sondheim video releases. This probably has to do with the way that the set design itself tells a story along with the characters. The environment itself is so malleable it's like another character. It's not a simple, straight forward story, though, like Into the Woods or Sweeney Todd, which can make it initially confusing and offputting to the general public. Definitely worth watching though.
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A Priceless and Exquisite Rendition of Sunday in the Park
Added 6/1/2008
I can't tell you how much this DVD means to me. Since it is impossible to go back in time and watch Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters perform this beautiful musical live, this is literally the next best thing. Mandy, Bernadette, and all the cast does a magnificent job and, trust me, it translates on-screen. I have seen this DVD countless times and everyone of those times the story greatly moves me. Also, the commentary is wonderful as well. I've learned things about the show I would not have known otherwise and really got a glance into the minds of Stephen Sondheim, James Lapin, Mandy Patinkin, and Bernadette Peters. Like I said before, this DVD is priceless... and if you're a Sondheim fan, I'm sure you will think so too!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A Stunning Musical Despite Act II
Added 11/14/2009
For those who know this musical, whether in its original cast version or its UK revival, the visceral beauty of the work will come as no surprise. It is the show that converted me to Stephen Sondheim, made me hungry to learn more about the mysterious, short-lived Georges Seurat and convinced me that Bernadette Peters can excel at any role she takes. Ironically, and even for the period during which it was produced, the video's color resolution could have been far better, since Seurat's pigments for La Grande Jatte paled over time, too. Still, this is a work of sublime beauty and fine performances. Composed in almost symphonic form with perfect casting and jaw-dropping stagecraft, it was worthy of the Pulitzer Prize it received. James Lapine's book is filled with moments of great warmth, rage and humor. It taps the universals in one story with grace and polish.
I will risk the consternation of those who believe the second act is a true cousin to the first. I do not. I would have preferred a slightly longer first act performed without break for two reasons. First, Act I tells most of us a story about which we never knew. While the fictions Lapine injected into Act I were necessary -- we know so little about Seurat's reclusive life after all -- Act II speaks to us in large part about the callousness of the contemporary art market we already know. For a little while, the book falters, then recovers its footing about halfway through.
In an era of cerebral musicals and pale revivals, some of which hold up onstage but not on recordings, Sunday in the Park with George is one hell of a musical. It has everything we seek when we go to musical theater; and the video producers really gave it a go, creating the permanent document of a timeless work and an era that has passed. The cast is uniformly fine.
As one who completed an advanced degree in art history, I also have a special love for the painting and artist about whom the musical is based. In the subtext of Sondheim's work, then, is the admonition that we not forget these heroic figures, and that we pass their stories on to our children. I agree. Five easy stars.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
One of the 5 Greatest Musicals of all time!!!
Added 2/23/2009
I was blessed to see this production live, and I have watched this filmed performance about 10 times, and listnened to the cast recording about 100 times...and each and every time I discover something deep and beautiful and new! It says so much about...so much! Patinkin and Peters bring such tenderness to the work...creating a perfect balance to Sondheim's purposely "bizarre, fixed, cold" masterpiece! And the end makes me get misty eyed each and ever time! It's hard to "Move On" from Sunday--It will stay with you forever...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Sunday in the Park
Added 11/23/2008
I purchased this video to show in my art history class. The musical shows such beautiful set designs, and it gives the viewer an idea of the kind of art that Georges Seurat created. My students loved the video, and we enjoyed creating artwork using pointillism.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
