Sunday in the Park with George
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
May 2-18, 2014
School Matinees available on Fridays at 10am
Sunday in the Park with George is an early collaboration of the musical team of Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) and James Lapine (book). Inspired by the Georges Seurat painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” this musical was the winner of multiple awards including the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards, the Olivier Award, and multiple Drama Desk awards. Loosely based on the life of Seurat, the first act follows the life of the artist as he struggles to maintain a relationship with his mistress as he creates his famous painting. The second act takes place 100 years later as Seurat’s American descendant struggles with his own career and path as an artist. Sunday in the Park with George features a beautiful heartbreaking score and has become a staple of contemporary musical theatre. Special daytime student matinees are available for this production.
About TrueNorth Cultural Arts
TrueNorth Cultural Arts can trace its history back to 1999 when its founder, and long-time Director, Richard A. Fortney, found himself at a professional and creative crossroads. At that time, Fortney was a successful high school music teacher, and also the Music Director at Bay Presbyterian Church. While these two 'full-time' jobs allowed him use music to inspire, and improve the lives of a broad range of people, he still wanted to do more. This yearning aligned with the words of an inspirational speaker, directed Fortney to found TrueNorth Cultural Arts (TNCA). TNCA, a not-for-profit entity, started slowly at first, but through the tireless work of Fortney and the TNCA Board, lead to an ever-increasing roster of teachers, members, and participants.
From its humble 'store-front' beginnings, to its tenure at Avon Lake's 'Saddle Inn', and into its new home at Lorain County Metro Parks' French Creek Nature & Arts Center in 2007, TrueNorth Cultural Arts has carved a large and successful niche. While always known for its symphonic concerts and choral presentations, as well as, fine art studios, lessons, and gallery, TrueNorth now focuses its energies on theatrical productions. In collaboration with Lorain County Metro Parks, TrueNorth stages a complete calendar of plays including everything from well-known classics to more obscure pieces that tie the arts to nature and history. Unique to all of this is the commissioning and debuting of original pieces that tell the stories of our local natural and cultural history.