Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George,” at San Francisco Playhouse through September 8

The cast helps recreate Georges Seurat's painting, "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte," (1884) on stage at the San Francisco Playhouse. Photos: Ken Levin

Stephen Sondheim's endearing musical, "Sunday in the Park with George," follows the days leading up to the completion of one of French painter Georges Seurat's greatest works, "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." (1884)

The San Francisco Playhouse production features John Bambery as Seurat, a Parisian artist who founded Neo-Impression—a technique using minute brushstrokes of divergent colors to convey light—eventually known as Pointillism. It also stars Nanci Zoppi as Dot, the artist's lover and model.

With "Sunday in the Park with George," director Bill English, musical director Dave Dobrusky, choreographer Kimberly Richards and the cast create a visual feast on stage.
-Stephanie Wright Hession

Seurat (John Bambery) sketching Dot (Nanci Zoppi) in the park.

Best friends Celeste 1 (Emily Radosevich) and Celeste 2 (Corrie Farbstein) on the Ile de la Grande Jatte watching George (Bambery) and Dot (Zoppi).

Xander Ritchey portrays the Boatman depicted in Seurat's work.

(L-R) Louise (Gwen Herndon) and Yvonne (Abby Haug) posing for George's painting.

"Sunday in the Park with George." Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim with book by James Lapine. Through September 8. $20-$125. San Francisco Playhouse, Second floor of the Kensington Park Hotel, 450 Post St., S.F. For tickets: 415-677-9596 or https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/2017-2018-season/sunday-park-george/