Theater Review: Sunday in the Park with George

                  Sunday in the Park with George

It’s difficult to put into mere words the experience that awaits theatergoers at CCAE’s breathtaking production of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical “Sunday in the Park with George.”

Maybe that makes sense, given that the show is about Neo-Impressionist artist Georges Seurat (anglicized here to George), most famous for his depiction of a group of French visitors to a seaside park on an island in the Seine on several lovely Sunday afternoons. The famous piece is titled “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Latte.”

Rather than using large strokes, Seurat (magnificently portrayed and sung by Will Blum) preferred to use dots to portray his characters, giving more of a feeling of magic than of naked truth.

The first act takes place on several Sundays between 1884 and 1886, and depicts George’s life, his style and the development of a relationship between him and his mistress-cum-model Dot, wonderfully portrayed by Emily Lopez. She loves him, but quickly tires of wearing the pouffy dresses he asks, and holding those poses so long. And his preference for work over play.

The first act concentrates on George as artist and the development of his style, but includes the problems he has with relationships with not just Dot, but the art industry (if I may be so vulgar) and various other characters in and around the island at the time.

Broadway veteran Will Blum is truly magnificent in this part, with a gorgeous voice and acting chops to match. His struggle to develop his art while trying to maintain personal relationships is touching and maddening all at once (haven’t we all been there once or twice?) and a wonder to behold.

Emily Lopez is equally fine as the lover/model who is more interested in George’s time as his art, and how can that work out? She too, is a wonderful actor with a lovely voice who can make you feel what she feels. It’s sad when they both sing “We Do Not Belong Together” and decide to “Move On.”

Some 18 actors portray many more characters in the course of the evening. The truly wondrous thing is that every single one of them is outstanding, in both acting and singing departments.

The second act takes place in 1984, at an American art museum, and here George imaginatively has to deal with the art business as an inventor and sculptor. We see the spinning chromolume, that kinetic round lighted sculpture (thanks to Patrick Gates for the effects). 

And we see the business of art, complete with art patrons (Debra Wanger and Elias Wygodny), a visiting curator (DeAndre Simmons) and art critic Blair Daniels (Debbie Prutsman).

The real George died at 31, without selling a single painting. It’s a sad story, but the production of this play is anything but that. 

Toward the end, the projection screens lift and we see the excellent 13-member onstage band, led by Elan McMahon.

Kudos to T.J. Dawson, who directs this spectacular piece with a sure hand.

There are many people to credit. Here are a few: Janet Pitcher, for wondrous costumes; Michelle Miles for lighting that does it just right; George Gonzalez for the fine scenic design, including trees that can be flown in.

There’s something for everybody in this show, and everybody – even people less than thrilled about Sondheim – should see it. There’s real magic here.

The details

“Sunday in the Park with George” plays through March 5, 2023, at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd.

Shows Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets: (800) 839-4138