By: Orlando Arechiga

Pasadena Playhouse’s six-month-long celebration of Stephen Sondheim surprises us with a revival of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning 1984 musical ‘Sunday in the Park with George’. The revival, directed by Sarna Lapine tells the story of George Seurat (Graham Phillips), a painter who creates a piece on an island. Grumpy George uses people he encounters at the park, including a lovely woman named Dot (Krystina Alabado) to make his painting come alive. With lovely melodies, we go on a journey with George as he deals with fears, a relationship with Dot, and the struggle of being an artist.

What a great way to celebrate Stephen Sondheim with an astonishing and eloquent production that displays the work of Sondheim. Sunday in the Park with George brings together Sondheim’s unique melodies/sounds from his musical era. If you are a Sondheim fan, you will be able to capture similar renditions of his other work. (Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Company) There are no changes to the production as it seems that Lapine set her heart to honor the 1984 Original Broadway Production. Yes, some costumes and actors’ interpretation brings something new to the production, but overall, it’s the same production that was televised on PBS in the 80s in production value.

What makes the production captivating are the interpretations of the characters. First, nobody should underestimate Krystina Alabado. Alabado interpretation of Dot is elegant. If you want to compare her role as Dot to past interpretations, Albado makes Dot very sassy with her commanding voice, which supports how Dot feels about George. It’s quite beautiful to hear. She definitely is a rising star and I can’t wait to see what else she does with her career. Phillip’s gentle voice breaks all rules, making George more mournful than usual. Also, Phillip unveils George as melancholic, which will make the audience feel warmth and sympathy for George. The chemistry between Albado and Phillip is there but could’ve been mastered differently as the lyrics feel more powerful than the movement between the actors.

‘Sunday in the Park with George’ teaches us to love, forgive, accept, and deal with consequences. This theatrical experience is playing February 14 — March 19 at the Pasadena Playhouse. Do not miss it!

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