by Michael J. Moran, Special to Berkshire on Stage
The original 1984 Broadway production of this play “Sunday in the Park with George”, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, won a Pulitzer Prize and two Tony Awards. A fictionalized version of how French artist Georges Seurat painted his 1884-1886 masterpiece A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, its strong visual component can be daunting for local theaters to replicate. But K and E Theater Group’s moving production shows that it can be done exceptionally well.
Act I, set in Paris, shows George creating the painting and interacting with the people who appear in it, including his lover, Dot. When George’s immersion in his work seems to leave no room for Dot in his life, she marries Louis, a baker, and they move to the United States with her newborn daughter, Marie. Act II follows George’s great-grandson, an American artist, also named George, as he loses and then regains his artistic muse, with help from his ancestors, on a visit to La Grande Jatte.
There is no weak link in the 13-member ensemble cast, each playing two or more roles, with many local stage credits and some beyond. Michael Graham is compelling as both Georges, finding their human vulnerability and gritty determination. Nicole Elledge-Hickey is extraordinary as Dot and, in Act II, 98-year-old Marie. Her gleaming, lyrical soprano captures the full range of their emotions. Gene Choquette is a winningly sardonic boatman. Elizabeth Monte, Carol Wrobleski, and Eddie Zitka shine in smaller roles.
Musical highlights include: Elledge-Hickey’s hilarious title song; her touching “Children and Art” as the elderly Marie; two of her soaring duets with Graham – a shattering “We Do Not Belong Together” and an inspirational “Move On;” Graham’s virtuosic voicing of two dogs in a kaleidoscopic “The Day Off;” Wrobeski’s wistful “Beautiful” with a reflective Graham; and a rapturous “Sunday” by the full company. Music Director Cavallin’s eight-member onstage band offers colorful, stylish backing.
Director-choreographer-actor Zitka (the “E” of KETG, with co-founding “K” partner Ken Comia) deploys his cast seamlessly to move his flexible set on and off the Northampton Center for the Arts stage. Elegant costume design by Moonyean Field and the protean Zitka is period perfect. Creative projection design by Nicco Palazzi and Comia keeps the painting front and center.
This impressive mounting of a peak Sondheim show is highly recommended for mature theatergoers.
All performances take place October 10-18 at Northampton Center for the Arts, located at 33 Hawley Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. Tickets are $27 and general admission. Tickets and performance information for Sunday in the Park with George are available at www.KETG.org.
Sunday in the Park with George, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine, directed by Eddie Zitka, musical direction by David Cavallin, ran October 10-18, 2025 at the Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA. CAST: Michael Graham as George, Nicole Elledge-Hickey as Dot, Gene Choquette as boatman/Charles, Nikki Gorts as Yvonne/Naomi, Marylou Bage as Louise/waitress, Matthew Bussell as soldier/Alex, Tom LeCourt as Mr./Lee, Jay Lee as Jules/Bob, Kerrie Maguire as Frieda/Betty, Joshua Mason as Louis/Billy, Nicole Newell-Marcus as Celeste #2/Elaine, Emma Rucci as Celesete #1/photographer, Elizabeth Monte as nurse/Harriet/Mrs., Carol Wrobleski as old lady/Blair, and Eddie Zitka as Franz/Dennis. CREATIVE TEAM: Lighting Designer Elysha Sathyaraj,
Lighting Operator Melina Garcia, Sound Design and Operator Joshua “Schwa” Hamre, Projection Designers and Operators Nicco Palazzi & Ken Comia, Costume Designers Moonyean Field & Eddie Zitka.
THE BAND:
DAVID CAVALLIN (Music Director/Keyboard/Synthesizer)
MILADA COOK (Cello)
SUE DUNBAR (Reed 1)
ALI INGRAHAM-SHAW (French Horn)
ANN MARIE MESSBAUER (Violin)
JUSTIN RODZEN (Bass)
CLIFF SCHOFER (Reed 2)
MITCH TILGHMAN (Percussion)