Review | Cap and Bells performs Sondheim's art-inspired musical

On Sunday, April 26, the Cap and Bells Dramatic Arts Society closed its 81st season with its one weekend performance of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George."

The show was quite an undertaking, requiring elaborate sets and costumes and boasting one of the musical theatre's most difficult scores.

However, under the direction of fine arts department chair Renee Dobson and the musical instruction of Walnut Street Theatre's Doug Lutz, the cast produced an incredible show and revealed the hidden talents of St. Joe's students.

The play fictionalizes the life of the artist George Seurat (of whom little is known), and focuses particularly on the creation of his famous painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of the Grande Jatte."

It questions the creative process and the artist's sacrifices through the failed relationship of George and his lover, Dot.

The true star of "Sunday in the Park with George" is the music itself. Sondheim filled the show with numbers that are both complex and beautiful, and it is hard not to get caught up in the composition rather than the entirety of the scene. The cast was able to stand up against the power of the music and deliver performances of professional quality.

Nick Virginio, '10, breathed life into the work-obsessed painter who loses the woman he loves because he cannot take time from his art for her.

He brought humanity to George that could have been missed if the focus was on George's words. His acting was able to capture a sense of George's struggle to connect to the rest of the word. Virginio also had excellent vocals.

As George's lover, Dot, Bonnie McBride, '09, lit the stage with her heart-wrenching performance. While she was able to serve as the comic relief for the audience, she also expertly conveyed the pain Dot suffers. She leaves George despite her love for him, since he cannot give her the life she wants or deserves.

Her beautiful rendition of "We Do Not Belong Together" was moving and powerful and was just one of many moments which highlighted her talent.

The beautiful costumes and perfect orchestra added to the professional feel of the production.

The set brought to life George's painting through stages in the first act, and included a fascinatingart machine in the second act, which takes place in the future with George's great grandson as an artist.

The quality of the show was extremely high, but more interesting was seeing the talent that is within our own community of students.

Watching fellow students on stage performing in this highly challenging musical was entertaining, because when you see someone in your class three days a week, you don't usually consider what their talents might be. You don't consider the possibility that they may be able to play a role as difficult as George, and it is exciting to see what the members of our campus community are capable of.

The visual beauty of "Sunday in the Park with George," the sets and costumes, and impressive performances from the entire cast, made me glad to spend my Sunday in the Bluett Theatre with George.

My only complaint is that the one weekend run will prevent more audiences from seeing the production.