Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical Sunday in the Park with George is considered one of the most innovative and profound works of musical theater. Following painter Georges Seurat as he creates his famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and examines his relationships and creative process, the play has resonated with audiences since its premiere on Broadway in 1984. For theater fans, watching a production of Sunday in the Park with George can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Here are some options for seeing the show in various formats.
Seeing Sunday in the Park with George Live
The best way to fully appreciate Sunday in the Park with George is to see it performed live on stage. Here are some ways you may be able to see a live production of the show:
Broadway
The original Broadway production of Sunday in the Park with George opened in 1984, starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters. It went on to win the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. There have been several Broadway revivals over the years:
- 2008 revival with Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell
- 2017 concert staging with Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford
Keep an eye out for potential future Broadway productions. Ticket availability and prices vary. Expect to pay at least $100 per ticket for rear mezzanine seats.
West End
London has hosted acclaimed West End productions of Sunday in the Park with George over the years:
- 1990 production directed by Sam Mendes
- 2005 revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory
Check the major West End theaters and listings for upcoming productions. Tickets range from £20-£150 based on dates and seat locations.
National Tours
National touring productions of Sunday in the Park with George periodically travel to venues across the US and Canada. Check the websites for Broadway in Chicago, Broadway San Francisco, Broadway Across America, and Broadway.com Touring for the latest touring schedules. Tickets are typically $50-$150.
Regional Theaters
Many regional theaters have produced Sunday in the Park with George over the years. Check the schedules at theaters like:
- The Guthrie Theater
- Alley Theatre
- Goodman Theatre
- Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Ticket prices vary by theater but are generally $30-$100 per ticket.
| Theater Type | Sample Theaters | Typical Ticket Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway | Broadway theaters | $100+ |
| West End | Major West End theaters | £20-150 |
| National Tours | Broadway in Chicago, Broadway SF, etc. | $50-150 |
| Regional Theaters | Guthrie Theater, Goodman Theatre, etc. | $30-100 |
Community Theater
Check with your local community theaters to see if they have any upcoming productions of Sunday in the Park with George. Tickets are usually quite affordable for community theater, often $20 or less.
College Productions
Many college theater programs produce Sunday in the Park with George. Look for performances at nearby university and college theaters. Tickets are typically free or very low cost for student productions.
Watch Recordings of Sunday in the Park with George
If you can’t see Sunday in the Park with George live on stage, the next best option is to watch a high-quality recording. Here are some ways to see video productions and concerts of the show:
PBS Great Performances
The original 1984 Broadway cast was filmed for a Great Performances special on PBS. The full video is available to purchase on DVD or digital downloads from Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.
Lincoln Center Archive
Lincoln Center has an archived video recording of their 2002 concert staging featuring Melissa Errico and Raúl Esparza. You can watch it online for free with a Lincoln Center membership or purchase a digital download.
NT Live
Britain’s National Theatre presented a 2017 production in London starring Maria Friedman that was broadcast live to cinemas worldwide and is now available to stream through NT Live. It can be rented or purchased on the NT Live website or platforms like Amazon Prime Video.
| Recording | Source | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 Broadway cast | PBS Great Performances | Amazon Prime, iTunes |
| 2002 concert | Lincoln Center Archive | Lincoln Center membership, digital purchase |
| 2017 London cast | NT Live | NT Live website, Amazon Prime |
Other Recordings
There are DVD and digital downloads available for other notable productions at venues like the Kennedy Center and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Concerts like the 2017 Broadway revival with Jake Gyllenhaal have also been recorded and streamed online.
Listen to the Sunday in the Park with George Cast Recording
The original 1984 Broadway cast recording featuring Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin is considered one of the greatest musical theater albums of all time. It provides an opportunity to hear the show’s magnificent score. The album is available on CD, digital download, and streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
There are also excellent cast recordings from West End and concert productions over the years showing how different performers interpret the demanding lead roles of Dot and George. Close your eyes and picture the show as you listen to the recording of your choice.
Read the Libretto and Script
As a timeless work of art, Sunday in the Park with George offers rewards on the page as well as the stage. Reading the script allows you to fully appreciate the nuances of Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics and James Lapine’s book.
The script was originally published by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1984. Used copies can be found online. More recent editions like the 2010 Applause Libretto Library version also include insightful commentary.
Librettos and scripts provide all of the show’s dialogue and song lyrics so you can get a sense of the full work. Search for “Sunday in the Park with George libretto” online to find printable options.
Conclusion
Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George is one of the most beloved and sophisticated works of musical theater art. While nothing compares to seeing a live performance on stage, recordings, scripts, and librettos allow you to study and appreciate it when live theater is not an option. Let the innovative score and moving story transport you into the world of Georges Seurat whether you watch a Broadway master class or listen to a soundtrack during your commute.
