Theatre at the Bell's 'Sunday in the Park with George': An Inspirational Success

A blank page or canvas - so many possibilities.

Theatre at the Bell presented a stunning concert rendition of Sunday in the Park with George, a 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winning musical featuring music and lyrics written by the late Stephen Sondheim. Behind the colorful tapestries of French painter Georges Seurat’s masterpiece, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, the story explores his personal tensions.

Audiences marveled at Theatre at the Bell’s captivating concert of Sunday in the Park with George. Not only does the show combine melodious harmonies and an integral message, but the worthy commitment of Theatre at the Bell’s presentation of such a rare show is the highlight of this wonderful production.

An ensemble of twelve actors painted characters and sang rich harmonies. Due to its small cast, several actors got to play two, three, or even five characters throughout the show! Nothing phased the warrior cast, breezing through scenes and transitioning to different personalities within minutes. They defined what ensemble means.

Adam Kerry Boyles was commendable as the talented artist, George. He traced the artist's love for creating; however, the highlight of Boyles’ performance was studying the depths and nuances behind this complex artist. Although driven by his artistic vision, George’s commitment distracts him from his personal life.

Nicole (Beauragard) Calderan bestows vocal prowess as Dot, George’s mistress and model, and later portrays Maria, a feeble old woman. Boyles and Calderan illustrated a striking dynamic. I was mesmerized by their duets, each performing marvelous operatic vocals.

The cast’s commitment was admirable, accentuating their love for theater, this story, and camaraderie. Without the cast’s marvelous singing talents, a hole is missing from the painting. Everyone had rich melodies that blended like colors in a painting. The opening and closing numbers were particularly striking, illuminating a beautiful score that evoked emotion.

A talented orchestra complements the cast’s voices with equally soulful themes. My favorite musical moments were the short rhythmic beats whenever George was painting. Sunday in the Park with George has several signature songs, including ‘Color and Light,’ ‘It’s Hot Up Here,’ and ‘Children and Art.’ It’s a Sondheim show, all right, with his signature music.

Although this was a concert rendition, it was still an immersive experience. While the stage had no traditional sets, projections of Seurat’s paintings surround the background and were used to stunning effect. The minimal staging and props were effective. Cutouts of Seurat’s paintings were created, adding to the show’s artsy theme.

Sunday in the Park with George wasn’t an easy show to paint on the canvas as the Theatre at the Bell team hit several roadblocks, but never let the creation vanish. The making of this show is a story in itself. The team’s determination to perform this show is the fierce definition of the theater saying, ‘The show must go on!’

Director Jeffrey Kimball Clark was drawn to this story’s passionate themes about art. With all the changes and hurdles in the production, Clark left the message intact. Having passions is an incredible part of life, but don’t let them overshadow the canvas. Appreciate what you have, make connections, and stay in the present moment.

Sunday in the Park with George is a rare show indeed. Theater is a form of expression. It allows us to create new things and present stories in unique formats. Together, this team studied the layers and brought out a deeper understanding of the show.

Well done to Theatre at the Bell for its amazing accomplishment. It was an unforgettable evening of listening to evocative voices and watching a commemorative story unfold.