MANSFIELD—The Renaissance Theater’s latest production, housed in its newest performance space, is a bit outside of the box. But that’s exactly what director Michael Thomas likes about it.
“My vision of (Theater 166) was a place for us to experiment and learn,” said Thomas as he sat just to the left of the spotlight in the new black box style theater. ”We get to see things that are a little more ambitious, a little more complicated and a little more avant-garde.”
”Sunday in the Park with George” tells the story of George Seurat, the artist who gained posthumous fame for his 1884 painting A Sunday on La Grande Jatte.
The renowned painting is used as a springboard for the narrative as the figures in the painting come to life and interact with George and each other.
The show explores the struggles that come as the characters search for love, purpose and creative inspiration.
As he sits in the park with an easel and paints, it’s clear that George’s passion for art consumes him. His mistress, Dot, tries to capture his attention. Artists and passersby scorn his work. Yet he remains fixated on his masterpiece.
“It’s kind of like the first act is in the mind of George,” said Zack Pytel, who plays the title character. “He really didn’t have any connection to people, all he cared about was the painting.”
The second act takes place nearly two centuries later. George’s great-grandson, also an artist named George, struggles with very different problems: complacency and a lack of inspiration.
Both Georges have to deal with the criticism of others, an issue that Thomas believes makes the play relatable.
“I think it’s something that everybody deals with, no matter what their line of work is,” he said. “You have a passion for something, and it seems like there’s always someone there to stop you.”
Thomas describes the musical as a very layered piece with lots of drama and emotion. The Pulitzer Prize winner was written by Mansfield native James Lapine and Steven Sondheim, the same duo behind “Into the Woods.”
The cast, which includes Ren regulars Stephanie Hayslip, Colton Penwell, Ryan Shreve, Lori Turner, and Mary Frankenfield, has risen to the challenge.
“Our actors have taken to it,” said Thomas. “I think we are thirsty for this kind of material.”
Pytel, who appeared as Davey in “Newsies” last spring, said the role has stretched him as an actor in an exciting way.
“I’ve been playing teenagers my whole life, this is the first time I’m playing someone who’s a true adult,” he said. “I’m diving into much more difficult concepts like true love…the kind of things that happen in adulthood that I’ve never experienced as an actor before.”
Much like Seurat’s work, the musical could be considered an under-appreciated masterpiece.
“The style of Stephen Sondheim’s music and how it’s layered matches the style of painting that George Seurat did, the pointillism,” said Maddie Penwell, who plays Dot and Marie. “It’s painting by using dots of color and letting your eyes mix those colors…that definitely happens with the music.”
This complexity of the piece pairs well the simplicity of the setting. Windowless walls isolate the outside world, creating a uniquely immersive experience. Like most blackbox theaters, Theater 166 is small and intimate.
“We’re very lucky because we get to experiment with pieces that probably wouldn’t sell on our big stage…that certainly appeal to an audience, but maybe not a mass audience,” said Thomas.
Showtimes are Jan. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone at 419-522-2726, and online at MansfieldTickets.com.
