Sunday in the Park with George

January 30th, 2007
Reprise! Productions, Freud Theatre
Musical, we went with Troy

Starring Manoel Felciano (Sweeney Todd, Brooklyn)
& Kelli O'hara (Light in the Piazza, Pajama Game).
Directed by Jason Alexander.

Pulitzer Prize winning musical inspired by the Georges Seurat’s painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte..” A moving portrait of an artist struggling to reconcile the perfect, imaginary world of his painting with the imperfect, flawed world of real life. Often called a musical masterpiece, its songs stay with you, as do the characters from the artist's painting and real world.

Wow.
For starters, I don't care for the cast recording of this musical, despite the wonderful songs. So I went in expecting very little.

Manoel and Kelli were both amazing. Kelli's voice is an effortless and warm soprano, and her performance added a warmth and empathy to Dot. And Manoel... imagine the vulnerability, enthusiasm (and good looks) of Ewan McGregor combined with the intensity of an artist bent on making the world understand his discoveries. What can be a cold and offputting introverted and isolated character, became an ernest and engaging outcast in Manoel's hands. And what a lovely voice he has.

The set and art direction were superb. The lighting and effects, so crucial in this musical about an artist obsessed with light and color, were flawless.

I actually sat one seat from Jason Alexander, and Troy had him sign my playbill. I never do things like that. But he was so nice.

Reprise continues to blow us away. This production was as good as anything we've seen, on or off Broadway. And I am heartbroken that I can't have this cast on CD.

I love Los Angeles!