“Sunday in the Park with George”
Shotgun Players, Berkeley
Friday, November 28, 2025 7PM
“Genius Revisited”
The background is this: “Sunday in the Park with George” is 1984 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine; inspired by Georges Seurat’s painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jette.”
The first act depicts the creation of the painting (showing the artist’s frustration and the grief of his times). The second act is 100 years later, presenting the ‘legacy’ of the work “though the eyes of Seurat’s great grandson, also named George”.
Shotgun Players has enlisted an extraordinary group of actors, who sing, mime and interact with one another in short, staccato events that echo the Sondheim’s music. The whole play is an extraordinary production: set, music, acting, movement, all wonderfully depicting the script, the style, the score and the painting itself.
The painting looks, at first, like an ordinary depiction of an afternoon by the river, as it is. Looking closely the observer can learn the ‘point by point’ method so amazing for its time.
The cast features Kevin Singer and Laura Domingo (though many actors take many roles) and ten others. (I may need correction here since the performers are so versatile). The musicians, who are artfully hidden in the “above” are Daniel Alley, David Moschler, Andera Landin, Carolyn Walter and Christina Walton. Their sound, timing and accompaniment is extraordinary.
Susannah Martin, director and David Moschler, music director deserve high praise, endless applause and this audience’s gratitude for their superb work in bringing “Sunday in the Park with George” to Berkeley.
In difficult times, such as now, this evening’s entertainment revitalizes one’s energy to enjoy and. “go on”.
Additional note: Choreography
Twelve, sometimes thirteen performers and set pieces occupy the set of “Sunday in the Park with George”. The stage is small, much smaller than that of several local theater. Yet, Susannah Martin (and whoever is her choreographic assistant) is able to contain, move, assemble and amazingly! stage the show so that the paintings are depicted, the groupings reenforced and clear. It is an artful, amazing skill. This reviewer, a choreographer, admires how artfully and beautifully It is accomplished.