Toronto Review: 'Sunday in the Park with George' at Eclipse Theatre
Dave Rabjohn, Associate Toronto Critic
‘Sunday in the Park with George’ is one of Stephen Sondheim’s most revered and perhaps controversial musicals in an expansive and award winning oeuvre. This March, Eclipse Theatre in Toronto produces what they describe as an “event” which refers to an abridged version of the Pulitzer winning musical mounted in what they refer to as a “non traditional venue.” This unconventional setting was immediately highlighted as audience members move to find their seats. Pre-curtain, the room is filled with energy as audience, patrons, musicians and actors mingle, with or without costumes, throughout the room. This was a creative and energizing opening that indeed created the feel of a Sunday in the park.
Eclipse calls such productions “site responsive” suggesting that the non traditional space informs the production in new and creative ways. This is a bold and perhaps noble ambition, but it comes with challenges as this particular space was not audience friendly. Unless you sat in the first row or the last row, one’s view is severely impeded. The low ceiling forced stage light directly into the eyes of the patrons. A decision to leave back windows open allowed the full presence of the Don Valley Parkway to enter the scene. The audience would surely submit to staler air in order to remove the sound of transport trucks rolling across nineteenth century France. This complaint is less about audience comfort and more about having a full opportunity to digest and enjoy the work.
Environmental concerns aside, this production is hinged on the two stars Evan Buliung as George and Tess Benger as Dot. Mr. Buliung is an award winning performer most recently seen as the heartbroken father in ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’ Mr. Buliung takes firm control of the stage with a brilliant range of voice and a controlled persona of the painter Georges Seurat. The story follows Seurat as he works for many months completing his signature work ‘A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.’ Although now universally revered in its home in the Chicago Museum of Modern Art, it was once derided and overlooked. George’s struggles with this and his strained relationships due to his artistic travails map out the play. Mr. Buliung opens strongly with ‘Colour and Light’, a difficult piece that is signature Sondheim with complex rhythms and staccato lyrics. Many beautiful moments include his miming of Seurat’s pointillism – the music in harmony with his busy hands underscoring the richness of artistic fusion.
Ms. Benger is equally outfitted with a spectacular range of voice required for challenging Sondheim music. Her opening ‘Sunday in the Park’ sets the standard for the balance of the show. Her precocious personality and vivacious manner is perfect for the part. It also sets up a comic turn as the elder Marie in Act Two. She smirks and scoffs as the old lady who is more attuned than her youthful counterparts think.
Other highlights include Charlotte Moore as the old lady who derides George and bellows at her nurse. At times she feigns frailty, but we learn better especially with the memorable number ‘Beautiful.’ Eric Craig plays a deliciously haughty Jules and Daniel Allain is splendid as the unassuming and witless Baker.
As mentioned, Sondheim’s music is as complex as it is beautiful and this band, led by Adam Sakiyama was up to the spectacular task. A small group of four, they managed the precision and technique necessary and created sound that was not just a backdrop, but a force in the production. Allyson McMackon, as movement director, created some emotionally tense scenes especially as George manipulates the actors into the famous painting.
To Eclipse Theatre’s credit, the audience understands, well before finding a parking space, that this is “somewhere between a stage concert and a full production.” In Karen Fricker’s recent Toronto Star article she quotes director Evan Tsitsias as saying that “Sunday in the Park is an audition of sorts” for a full production. As Canadians, we are usually patient and we will hope patiently for a full blown production to follow this “audition.”
Photo of Tess Benger and Evan Buliung courtesy of Dahlia Katz
‘Sunday in the Park with George’ by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine
Produced by Eclipse Theatre – Toronto
Main performers: Evan Buliung(George) Tess Benger(Dot) Tracy Michailidis(Yvonne) Eric Craig(Jules) Charlotte Moore(Old Lady) Dave Allain(Baker)
Production: Evan Tsitsias(Director) Adam Sakiyama(Musical Direction) Allyson McMackon(Movement Direction) Michelle Bohn(Sets and Costumes) Chilina Kennedy(Artistic Producer)
Runs through March 8 2020 at Jam Factory – Toronto – Tickets: www.eclipsetheatre.ca