Today, I went and saw the production of Sunday in the Park with George at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This review is best, I think, in three parts.
How I feel about the theater: The Chicago Shakespeare Theater is beyond beautiful. It mimics traditional Shakespearean play houses with the thrust stage and a few rows of seating all around (I was in the 2nd row in the 2nd level, of which there are only 2 rows). If you are ever in Chicago at a time when they have a show, go see it. I might even say go see it regardless of the show just so you can have an experience in this theater. Yes, it's that cool.
How I feel about the show: Oh Sondheim... I've never been your biggest fan. I recognize the difficulty in singing these pieces, but that doesn't mean I ever want them to come up when my iPod is shuffling. I do want to give a shout out to Carmen Cusack. I saw her as Elphaba in Wicked (Atlanta) and was curious to see someone tackle Sondheim after belting "Defying Gravity" for years. She was—by far— the best thing about this show. I know Bernadette Peters was originally in that role, but I'd rather watch Carmen any day.
How I feel about said show in said theater: It doesn't work. I know other people will disagree, but it just doesn't work. The show is based on creating a painting. This theater has a lot of side view seats (it is a thrust). Do they rework a show that would work perfectly in a framing proscenium? Not really. Well... I'm sure they did. But from my side seat, it certainly didn't feel that way. Most of the action was staged so that those with the front view were taken care of. We couldn't see the whole "picture" and the whole painting in a frame scene was awkward for all those with side views.
So, to wrap that all up: beautiful theater, play I don't really care for, actress I love being brilliant and staging that left more to be desired.
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