Inspired by George Seurat’s famous painting, this poetic masterpiece explores the challenges in understanding life and art. Postponed a year, due to the pandemic, we celebrate Sondheim with this new production of one of the greatest-ever works of musical theater.

Sunday In The Park With George remains one of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated musicals. Its stunningly original concept inhabits both Georges Seurat’s famous painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and details the parallel artistic endeavours of Seurat’s great-grandson a century later.

The Pulitzer Prize–winning musical that revolutionized musical theatre

Inspired by the painting, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s stunning masterpiece merges past and present into beautiful, poignant truths about life, love and the creation of art. One of the most acclaimed musicals of our time, this moving study of the enigmatic painter won a Pulitzer Prize and was nominated for an astounding ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The second of two Sondheim pieces in our season celebrating Sondheim, Sunday In The Park With George lives on as a musical that has unanimously thrilled critics and audiences alike.

The production follows the relationship between Georges Seurat and his muse, Dot, and movingly tells of the struggle between art and passion while the painter’s vision is stunningly brought to life in front of the audience’s eyes using state-of-the-art live projection. As the story’s second act moves into the 20th century, the story focuses on the younger Seurat and his grandmother, Marie, the daughter of Georges and Dot. Seurat’s descendant – named George and also an artist – finds himself burnt out and in search of what artistic path to follow, but he finds the answer to his future in the past.

This brilliant new production brings a fresh and inventive take on the musical that has unanimously thrilled critics and audiences alike. A talented team has brought the 35-year-old musical magically into the 21st Century with breath-taking animated design and a richly intimate production. The best in singing artists at SJ Playhouse perform this challenging and heartbreaking work about our need to connect to the past, present and future.