Sunday in the Park With George (2006 London Revival Cast) [Cast Recording]

Stephen Sondheim (Artist), Daniel Evans (Artist), Jenna Russell (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 30, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: P.S. Classics
• ASIN: B000EZ9048
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,937 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

One of Stephen Sondheim's most beautiful and most misunderstood scores, Sunday in the Park with George received a rare revival, and an even rarer recording with this 2006 London cast recording, which originated as a late-2005 production by the Menier Chocolate Factory just south of London. Both a fictional representation of French Impressionist painter Georges Seurat and an examination of the process of artistic creation, Sunday was for years the only Sondheim show available in only one recording. And why not, considering the original Broadway cast helped Sondheim and James Lapine develop the show in workshop, and the fact that it was recorded on video only enforced its permanence. And its leads, Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters, both nominated for Tonys, have long had an affinity for Sondheim's music. The 2006 London revival, however, holds up to the challenge extremely well, with stars Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell and the rest of the ensemble capturing the beauty, intricacy, and humor of Sondheim's music. Evans and Russell fall a bit short in certain dramatic and comedic moments, and their accents are a bit distracting when portraying the French and American characters. But even if the original Broadway cast will always be definitive, this is an excellent recording that only enforces our appreciation of the show. The 89-minute, two-disc set also benefits from having more music than the OBC (though not, of course, the DVD), including a bonus track: a longer version of "The One on the Left," with the two soldiers and the two Celestes. PS Classics presents their usual first-class production, with an essay, synopsis, and complete libretto. --David Horiuchi

Product Description

Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, in its most complete recording. This new album features the 2006 London cast, headed by Olivier Award-winner Daniel Evans and 2006 Olivier Award-nominee Jenna Russell. Audiences and critics have been unanimous in their praise of this production, which recreates the world of Seurat’s masterpiece Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte with the use of ground-breaking projection and animation technology. The Sunday Times called it "a brilliant production of Sondheim’s best musical: beautifully acted, moving, funny, glamorous, and intelligent." Now this legendary score and acclaimed production have been preserved in a comprehensive two-disc set.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable New Recording, May 30, 2006

By 

Matt Alexander (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunday in the Park With George (2006 London Revival Cast) (Audio CD)

If you're reading this, the key question you're probably asking yourself is, "Is it worth getting this if I already own the original cast album?" The answer is yes. Not only is this disc enjoyable on it's own, but the differences between the recordings make the OCR more interesting when you return to it.

One of the interesting things about the album is the accents. As was the case in the original production, although Act 1 takes place in France, nobody uses a French accent. Because this is an English production, the actors use English accents for Act one, then switch to American accents for Act two (which takes place in America.) This adds a nice layer of contrast between the two time periods of the show. More importantly, the use of accents to convey class and stature brings a whole new dimension to the show. The contrast between George's crisp tones and Dot's light cockney accent help illuminate the relationship between them.

The only shortcoming on this disc is "Putting it Together," which never feels as nimble as it should be. On the flip side, the vocal harmonies throughout the album are wonderfully recorded. Songs like Sunday feel richer than they did before and, in the two leads soar in the climactic moment when Sondheim finally has them sing in harmony.

All told, this is yet another exquisitely recorded and packaged album from PS Classics, the label that seems to be the go-to guys for Sondheim recordings. It's no wonder--the production quality on this and other discs is every bit on par with the quality of Sondheim's scores.

If you haven't seen or heard the show before and you're wondering if you should invest in any version of the show, I would also recommend giving Sunday a listen. It may take time for the score to grow on you, but in the end this is one of Sondheim's most accessible scores (right behind Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods.) You might want to buy the 2006 recording and the DVD of the original Broadway cast to enjoy the best of both worlds. That way you can enjoy the wonderful staging on the DVD and also get the benefit of having the more complete recording of the score (which features generous helpings of dialogue and, as a bonus track, the full version of a clever song that was trimmed down to a small snippet while the show was being work shopped.)

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sondheim's Greatest got even greater, July 13, 2006

By 

BC "BC" (Asbury Park, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sunday in the Park With George (2006 London Revival Cast) (Audio CD)

When I heard this show was being recorded again, I had my doubts. In my mind, nothing could top the 1984 recording of Patinkin and Peters in this groundbreaking musical, one of my favorite musicals (and cast recordings) of all time. And of course, so many times that a London Sondheim recording is made, it just sounds like a cheesey and/or overdone: Follies, Company, the 1978 Night Music, Pacific Overtures to name a few (only the 1994 RSC Night Music stands out as a superb recording).

But the Brits have produced a new CD that is aurally STUNNING. The (reduced) orchestra sounds great, the singers bring new colors and interpretations to every line, and in addition, their musicianship is unequalled, rhythms and stacatti and punctuated, pianos and fortes are thrilling... the score comes to life in a way that I have never heard it before.

There is a great deal of dialogue recording as well, which is almost vital for a show where music and text are so tightly bound. At first, hearing these French personages talk and sing in various UK accents is jarring and sounds wrong, but then you realize that on Broadway, no one spoke in a french accent either. The accents in the London version turn out to have a great effect, drawing lines between the varied classes presented on stage.

I won't dissect the entire CD, because it will only delay you from purchasing it! Buy it now...you won't regret it!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comparing Broadway with the London Cast, June 21, 2006

By 

JLF "red panda" (Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunday in the Park With George (2006 London Revival Cast) (Audio CD)

I first became familiar with Sunday in the Park from the Original Broadway Cast Recording. It is my favorite, and consider as the best (together with Sweeney Todd). It is indeed nice to revisit Sunday with this version. Here is the comparison:

(1) Arrangement and orchestration: It will be like comparing apples and oranges. If you go for a fuller orchestration, go with the broadway cast. It is very nimble, and quick. However, if you go for intimacy, definitely go with this one. As oppose to sweeney, where the material is calling for a fuller sound, a small group of musicians works very well. The use of solo instruments to highlight some phrases and ideas is very good. Especially on some very intimate songs like "We do not belong together" and move on. Also, the chorus acts like an orchestra. Very good

(2) Dot: Bernadette Peters is very good in the original cast. It would indeed be very intimidating for any actress to play Dot, much more preserve her version with B Peters' version still out there. Still, Dot here is very good and tackled here solos differently. Also, the delivery of the lines is clearer (B Peters sometimes is difficult to understand), the accent is crisp and very appropriate. the Dot here is very good.

(3) George: It is still Mandy Patinkin. the confidence, confusion, of George was portrayed very well by Patinkin. He created a very distinct George. Very precise. In this version, george is sometimes drowned out by his "creation" , especially in the o season. In the original cast, Patinkin is in control. So, his confusion and attempt to still maintain order is more heartfelt.

(4) Chorus: This one is better. the original cast in a way relied too much on the orchestra. here, it is more of vocal work. Very good. Accents are definitely much better .

(5) Pacing: the additional lines are very much welcome...It will definitely help those who were not able to see the video understand the show (especially the lyrics of "Lesson #8).