Kokandy Renders Colorful Sondheim at Chopin

Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize winning musical is always a special treat to see in Chicago because you can scoot right down to the Art Institute to see the inspiration: George Seurat’s game changing painting  A Sunday Afternoon on The Island of the Grand Jatte that is proudly centered in the Impressionists Gallery on the second floor. 

Sondheim and librettist James Lapine created Sunday in the Park with George after his play Merrily We Roll Along flopped and Sondheim was ready to quit writing for musical theatre.  They actually visited the painting in Chicago to write this work of art about a work of art, and about the struggle to create things.  The first act is about George Seurat and brings to life all the characters in the painting. The second act is about his purported grandson, a contemporary artist facing identical challenges.  The music in this musical mimics the pointillism of the visual art which renders it complex and layered.  

Chicago is blessed with several extremely talented music theatre companies ranging from Music Theatre Works in the burbs to Porchlight, but it is intimate and ambitious Kokandy that is tackling this challenging Sondheim piece and they render this musical faithfully and colorfully. They make the play and the painting come to vivid life.  It is a joy to be so close to actors creating the world of this painting that I have loved since I was a child.

Kevin Webb’s portrayal of the George’s gives us an intense dedicated artist that borders on neurodiverse: perseverating on his art and oblivious to his relationships.  Missy Wise Vanderzee as his model and muse Dot and his grandaughter/grandmother Marie brings heart to the show. The entire ensemble meticulously fleshes out each character in the painting and then the contemporary art scene.  

This show is filled with color and light, which is also one of the songs, so one gets to live inside this piece in a complete way.  The creative team made the best of a difficult space for a show about a flat work of art. The pillars were lovingly covered in art and the famous painting emerges from the stage and is revealed to each group of audience members and audience is invited to view the huge reproduction at intermission and after the show. There have been many shows here where the up close in the round nature of Chopin’s lower level has been less of an impediment. And the heading down to a speakeasy vibe is always fun.  I adored being right next to the live orchestra with horns and grand piano, but it did occasionally obscure the singers and the balance was difficult for the person next to me with a hearing aide. 

It takes a strong cast and a loving Director/Choreographer like Derek Van Barham to pull off Sunday In the Park with George and Kokandy Productions gives us this in spades. 

Sunday in the Park with George is playing Thursdays through Sundays at Chopin Downstairs Studio, 1543 W Division Street in Chicago through November 1, 2026. For tickets and info go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sunday-in-the-park-with-george-tickets-1982192272446

For  reviews go to https://www.theatreinchicago.com/