Sunday in the Park With George, a musical by Stephen Sondheim. Roundabout Theatre Company, Studio 54. This chamber musical (in our mind an opera) is a brilliant meditation on the solitary and brave act of creating a work of art. The first act is a clever musical picture of Seurat's painting of "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." The painting comes to life before our eyes and sings for us. But as witty as this is, it is the second act that is the key to the work for we see the perhaps silly, perhaps visionary attempt at a light show by the great grandson of Seurat and experience all his doubt just as his ancestor might have done. This production which originated in England uses video to wonderful effect. Two performances are outstanding - Daniel Evans as George (he should give Paulo Szot a run for his money in the Tonys) and Jenna Russell as Dot. It's Russell who has the most moving song: "Children and Art" and she sings it with tremendous feeling and quietude.
Any revival of a major Sondheim work is an important event. Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test Grade: B+