Towards the verticals of trees Forever
(All bow to GEORGE)
By the blue
Purple yellow red water
On the green
Orange violet mass
Of the grass . . .
DOT:
In our perfect park . . .
GEORGE:
Made of flecks of light
And dark . . .
ALL (Except GEORGE and DOT):
And parasols . . .
People strolling through the trees
Of a small suburban park
On an island in the river
On an ordinary Sunday . . .
(The COMPANY has settled generally in the areas that they occupy in the painting)
Sunday . . .
(All begin to leave very slowly, except DOT, who remains downstage with GEORGE)
Sunday . . .
(DOT leaves GEORGE, crossing upstage into the park; she turns toward GEORGE. The white canvas drop descends)
GEORGE (Reading from the book): “White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So many possibilities . . . ”
(He looks up and sees DOT disappearing behind the white canvas. Lights fade to black)
Set designs and sketches by Tony Straiges
Two Models of the Set
Blueprint for various of the onstage “pop-ups” of characters and animals in the painting
Sketches of scenic elements for Act I
One of several working paintings showing the painting in progress
Costume sketches by Patricia Zipprodt
Dot
Costume for Dot’s dress with bustle (left) and (below) the same dress with the bustle moved to the front to create her pregnant condition
Costume sketches by Ann Hould-Ward
Louis
Celeste #1
Companion and Soldier
ADDITIONAL LYRICS
with Commentary by Stephen Sondheim
“Yoo-Hoo!”
“Yoo-Hoo!” was sung in Scene I [at the place where the dialogue now starts on page 585].
(Music. Laughter from stage right. A wagon tracks in. The sky backdrop lifts, revealing a large likeness of Seurat’s “Une Baignade Asnières.” The BOY IN THE WATER [foreground] and the YOUNG MAN ON THE BANK are real, as is the PERVERT [the man lying down]. The others are cut-outs in perspective. All direct a loud Bronx cheer at the island across the water. The BOY laughs, then turns to the others. He barks and yelps at the island, then laughs again. The YOUNG MAN echoes his laughter dull-wittedly)
BOY (Loudly, through cupped hands, sings):
Yoo-hoo! Big and fat!
Who you think you’re staring at?
(Stares exaggeratedly)
In about a minute flat
We’re all coming over to get you!
(He splashes water at the island. The PERVERT mutters something to the BOY, who nods delightedly and laughs)
Yoo-hoo! Kinky beard!
Everybody knows you’re weird!
(YOUNG MAN laughs while PERVERT mutters)
PERVERT:
How’d you like your picture smeared?
BOY:
Yeah, how’d you like your picture smeared?
ALL:
We’re coming right over to get you!
(BOY makes menacing noises while the YOUNG MAN laughs)
BOY (turning to his audience): Watch this.
(Flails as if drowning)
PERVERT and YOUNG MAN:
Nursie! Nursie!
Help, he’s drowning!
(Drowning sounds)
Mercy! Nursie!
BOY:
I’m not clowning!
(NURSE and DOT are alarmed)
PERVERT and YOUNG MAN:
Can’t you see he’s drowning?
(BOY makes horrifying drowning sounds and disappears underwater, struggling; as the NURSE and GEORGE move, he suddenly pops up again)
BOY:
Na-Na-Na-Ni-Na-Na!
(Belches gigantically; PERVERT mutters to him; speaks)
Huh?
(The PERVERT mutters more fully, explaining. YOUNG MAN laughs first, then the BOY, nodding. He whistles sexily, sings)
Yoo-hoo! Lady, dear!
Who are you hiding in the rear?
PERVERT:
Would you like a volunteer?
YOUNG MAN:
Why don’t you come over here?
(The PERVERT mutters)
BOY:
Feeling weary, dear?
BOY and PERVERT:
Don’t you worry, dearie,
ALL:
We’re
Coming right over — !
(GEORGE gestures; the BOY, the YOUNG MAN and the PERVERT freeze into the familiar tableau as a frame comes in around them. JULES and YVONNE stroll on and examine the picture, laughing)
“Soldiers and Girls” and “The One on the Left”
“Soldiers and Girls” was replaced by “The One on the Left, ” which in turn was cut down to the fragment that now remains on pages 621-623.
“Soldiers and Girls”
SOLDIER (Sudden and loud):
Mademoiselles,
I and my friend
We are but soldiers —
(Listens to sidekick)
Passing the time
In between wars,
However we may.
CELESTE #2:
Careful, he’s peculiar.
CELESTE #1:
How is he peculiar?
CELESTE #2:
Soldiers are peculiar.
SOLDIER:
And after a week spent
Mostly indoors
With nothing but soldiers,
May we venture to say:
(Softening his ardor at a nudge from the other soldier)
It’s a glorious day.
CELESTE #2:
Wasn’t that peculiar?
CELESTE #1:
No, it’s not peculiar.
CELESTE #2:
Something is peculiar.
Shouldn’t we be going?
CELESTE #1:
No, will you be quiet?
SOLDIER:
Sundays were made for soldiers and girls,
Don’t you agree?
Sundays were made for medals
And ribbons arrayed with red sashes,
Buckles and braid,
And sabres —
And girls.
Sundays were meant for helmets and plumes,
Mademoiselles,
Meant for salutes
And epaulettes,
Glistening boots,
The heady perfumes
Of horses and grooms —
And beautiful girls!
(Very loud)
Mademoiselles!
I and my friend
Have a suggestion!
CELESTE #2:
Anyone can see that
That man is peculiar.
SOLDIER:
I and my friend
Wish to be friends
With you and your friend.
CELESTE #1:
See, he’s very friendly.
CELESTE #2:
Yes, he’s very friendly.
That’s what is peculiar.
SOLDIER:
Only just now
I said to my friend
Of you and your friend,
“I suspect they are friends.”
CELESTE #1:
Both of them are perfect.
CELESTE #2:
You can have the other.
CELESTE #1:
I don’t want the other.
CELESTE #2:
I don’t want the other either.
SOLDIER:
And, see, you are friends!
CELESTE #1 and #2:
What can be the harm in
Strolling in the park with
Soldiers even if they are peculiar?
SOLDIER:
And we shall be friends.
SOLDIER, CELESTE #1 and #2:
Sundays were made for soldiers and girls.
SOLDIER:
Mademoiselles,
Sundays were made for medals —
(Looks expectantly at CELESTE #1, who picks up her cue)
CELESTE #1:
And ribbons arrayed with red sashes —
(Nudges CELESTE #2)
CELESTE #2:
Buckets and braid —
CELESTE #1 (Whispers): Buckles!
SOLDIER:
And sabres —
(Looks at sidekick, who apparently conveys something; speaks)
Right!
(Sings)
Sundays were made for banners and bells,
Don’t you agree?
Made for whatever sparkles,
(With meaning)
Whatever is fresh and sweet,
(CELESTES giggle)
Everything casting colorful spells:
For beaches and shells
(CELESTES hum)
And scarlet lapels
(Inhales)
And vigorous smells —
And soldiers!
(At a nudge from the sidekick)
And mademoiselles!
“The One on the Left”
CELESTE #1 (Aside):
Both of them are perfect.
CELESTE #2:
You can have the other.
CELESTE #1:
I don’t want the other.
CELESTE #2:
I don’t want the other either.
SOLDIER:
Mademoiselles,
I and my friend,
We are but soldiers —
(Rumble from his COMPANION; SOLDIER raises hand to quiet him)
Passing the time
In between wars
For weeks at an end.
CELESTE #2 (Aside):
Shouldn’t we be going?
CELFSTE #1:
No, will you be quiet?
CELESTE #2:
Something is peculiar —
SOLDIER:
And after a week
Spent mostly indoors
With nothing but soldiers,
Ladies, I and my friend
Trust we will not offend,
Which we’d never intend,
By suggesting we spend —
BOTH CELESTES (Excited):
Oh, spend —
SOLDIER:
— This magnificent Sunday —
BOTH CELESTES (A bit defeated):
Oh, Sunday —
SOLDIER:
— With you and your friend.
CELESTE #2 (Aside, to CELESTE #1):
The one on the right seems quite attached.
CELESTE #1 (Looking over, then back):
As well as scratched.
SOLDIER (Aside, to COMPANION):
Admit it, old man, we’re not badly matched.
ALL (To themselves, shrugging):
It’s certainly fine for Sunday.
SOLDIER (To COMPANION):
The one on the left seems quite subdued.
CELESTE #2 (As CELESTE #1 tries to elbow her over to the other side):
I’m not in the mood.
CELESTE #1 (To CELESTE #2):
You’re ruining things and we’re being rude —
ALL (Enthusiastically, to each other):
It’s certainly fine for Sunday!
(During the next section, as they all march around, both CELESTES fight for position)
SOLDIER and CELESTE #1 (Aside, to their partners):
My only advice
Is don’t think twice.
SOLDIER (To CELESTE #1):
Would you care for an ice?
BOTH CELESTES:
Oh, an ice would be nice!
CELESTE #2 (To CELESTE #1):
Will they buy us a drink?
SOLDIER (To COMPANION):
Are they virgins, you think?
ALL (To each other):
It’s certainly fine for Sunday!
CELESTE #2 (To CELESTE #1, referring to COMPANION):
Is that a mustache
Or just a gash?
CELESTE #1 (To SOLDIER):
What a beautiful sash!
SOLDIER (To COMPANION):
Did you bring any cash?
CELESTE #1 (To CELESTE #2):
The buckles and braid —
CELESTE #2:
CELESTE #1:
The boots —
CELESTE #2:
The blade — !
SOLDIER:
Shall we head for the glade?
CELESTE #1 (Excited, aside):
Heading for the shadows — !
CELESTE #2 (Also excited, but wary):
Anything can happen —
CELESTE #1:
Wonder what they’re planning.
CELESTE #2 (Alarmed):
What they’re planning?
CELESTE #1:
What they’re planning later on!
SOLDIER (To COMPANION):
The one on the right gave you a look —
Let’s hope she can cook.
BOTH CELESTES (Aside):
Taking us to dinner —
Maybe to the Follies — !
Anyhow, it’s certainly fine for Sunday!
CELESTE #1:
The one on the right is odd, it’s true,
But what can we do?
SOLDIER (To COMPANION):
The one on the left —
CELESTE #1:
You’re as odd as he —
SOLDIER:
— Has great esprit —
CELESTE #2:
I don’t agree —
SOLDIER and CELESTE #1:
The one on the left is right for me —
(They switch positions so that CELESTE #2 has the COMPANION)
So the one on the right is left for you.
MAJOR PRODUCTIONS
Sunday in the Park with George was first presented in a workshop production for 25 performances by Playwrights Horizons (André Bishop, Artistic Director; Paul Daniels, Managing Director; Ira Weitzman, Musical Theater Program Director), in association with the Herrick Theater Foundation, at Playwrights Horizons, New York City, July 6-July 31, 1983, with the following cast:
(In order of appearance)
ACT I
GEORGE, an artist Mandy Patinkin
DOT, his mistress Bernadette Peters
OLD LADY Carmen Mathews
HER NURSE Judith Moore
FRANZ, a coachman Brent Spiner
BOYIN THE WATER Bradley Kane
YOUNG MAN ON THE BANK Kelsey Grammer
PERVERT William Parry
LOUISE, a little girl Danielle Ferland
JULES, another artist Ralph Byers
CLARISSE, his wife Christine Baranski
BOATMAN William Parry
LOUIS, a baker Kevin Marcum
CELESTE #1, a shopgirl Melanie Vaughan
CELESTE #2, another shopgirl Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
BETTE, a cook Nancy Opel
SOLDIER Kelsey Grammer
MR. Kurt Knudson
MRS. Judith Moore
ACT II
GEORGE, a performance artist Mandy Patinkin
JED Brent Spiner
DEE, George’s girlfriend Nancy Opel
ALEX Kelsey Grammer
ANNETTE, George’s grandmother Bernadette Peters
NAOMI Melanie Vaughan
ROBERT BLACKMUN, the museum director Kurt Knudson
BILLIE GHERKIN, a patroness of the arts Carmen Mathews
HARRIET PAWLING, a patroness of the arts Judith Moore
WAITER Ross Wassermann
CHARLES GREEN, a museum curator William Parry
ALAN CASH, museum benefactor Kevin Marcum
LINDA CASH, his wife Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
BLAIR DANIELS, an art critic Christine Baranski
WAITRE
SS Johnna Murray
Directed by James Lapine
Set Design by Tony Straiges
Costume Design by Patricia Zipprodt and Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Design by Richard Nelson
Sound Design by Scott Lehrer
Musical Director, Paul Gemignani
NOTE: It was only for the last three performances of the workshop production that the second act was presented.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
ACT I
“Sunday in the Park with George” DOT
“Yoo-Hoo!” BOY, YOUNG MAN, PERVERT
“No Life” JULES, CLARISSE
“Color and Light” DOT, GEORGE
“Gossip” CELESTE #1, CELESTE #2, BOATMAN
NURSE, OLD LADY, JULES, CLARISSE
“The Day Off” GEORGE, SPOT, FIFI, NURSE, FRANZ,
BETTE, BOATMAN, SOLDIER, CLARISSE,