Continuing in a long string of the most professionally produced and technically proficient musicals in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan Department of Musical Theater presents a scrumptious “Sunday in the Park with George” at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater.
Directed by Mark Madama, musically directed by Cynthia Kortman Westphal and Alexander Gemingnani (who also conducts), the production virtually channels the original Broadway Production with excellent performances by all actors, and gorgeous set design by Arthur Ridley and Costume Design by Rachel Ridley (with a smattering of costumes from American Players Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival). It also has some of the most remarkable sound design I have heard in the Lydia Mendelssohn (kudos to Jim Lillie).
While all of the performers are excellent (as should be, given the pre-eminent musical theater program), Trevor St. John-Gilbert is outstanding in his role of George/George and Madison Micucci is superb in her role as Dot/Marie. On stage virtually the entire performance, they bring excellent musical theater singing and acting chops to the very difficult Sondheim score.
You already know my schtick — there is absolutely nobody in Michigan that does better musical theater productions than the University of Michigan’s musical theatre program. You can take the cast, sets, and costumes and plunk it into any professional theater in America. As usual, the run is entirely sold out, so I will not list ticket information here. For the remaining performances, cancellations, if any, are available at the box office before show time. Don’t count on it. For those who perpetually miss the boat on buying their tickets, just know that season tickets go on sale early each year for the following season. It’s the best ticket in town. Really.
Mostly Musical Theatre 