Book SummaryPutting It Together, by James Lapine

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Putting It Together

The musical's creation was a joint endeavor between those who crafted the music and those who penned the script.

The playwright, in collaboration with musicians, meticulously shaped the narrative, the portrayal of characters, and the distinctive musical essence of the show.

This section of the text highlights the collaborative creative endeavors shared with Stephen Sondheim. The book explores how Lapine's inspiration, drawn from Seurat's art, merged with Sondheim's musical expertise to jointly create the narrative, inherent themes, and tunes that are essential to the musical's essence. The book illuminates the unique challenges they faced while transforming a visual artwork into a stage production crafted specifically for musical theater, delving into the strategies and dialogues that occurred.

James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim worked closely together to craft the story, pinpoint its key themes, and create the foundational musical elements that would define the production.

Lapine was inspired by Seurat's renowned painting known as "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." Lapine's curiosity was sparked by the noticeable lack of the artist's presence within the artwork, which led him to craft a story that revolves around the character who is missing. He initiated the creation of his manuscript guided by instinct, without relying on a preliminary outline or meticulous planning. When contacting Sondheim, he was presented with a collection of images designed to spark his visual interest. Once Sondheim became involved with the idea, their collaboration progressed through frequent meetings during which they delved into character evolution, story arcs, and different situations for tension and conflict, after Lapine had showcased his latest works.

James Lapine conducted a comprehensive examination of the script, delving deeply into its foundational purposes. Sondheim pinpointed specific instances in the script where musical enhancement would be advantageous, leading to Lapine crafting soliloquies for the individuals that would subsequently inspire the development of the lyrics. Lapine's monologues provided Sondheim with a deeper understanding of the characters' feelings and inner reflections, thereby enriching his comprehension of the drama's emotional landscape. Their partnership was strengthened as they fused a keen focus on visual storytelling with the intricate techniques of musical composition that Sondheim employed.

Context

• "Sunday in the Park with George" is considered a landmark in musical theater for its exploration of the creative process and the relationship between art and artist. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1985, highlighting its critical acclaim and influence.
• The painting explores themes of modernity, leisure, and the interplay between nature and urban life. It also reflects the social dynamics and class distinctions of the era, depicted through the varied activities and attire of the figures.
• The idea of a "missing character" in the context of storytelling often involves exploring themes of absence, identity, and the unseen influences on a narrative or artwork.
• The lack of a preliminary outline suggests a reliance on the emotional and visual impact of Seurat's painting, allowing the artwork itself to guide the narrative development.
• "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" is a pointillist painting by Georges Seurat, known for its detailed depiction of Parisian life. The painting's composition and style can influence the aesthetic and thematic direction of a theatrical production inspired by it.
• The collaboration between a playwright and a composer/lyricist in musical theater involves a dynamic exchange of ideas, where the script and music are developed in tandem to ensure a cohesive narrative and emotional impact.
• Comprehensive examination includes assessing the script's structure, such as the pacing, scene transitions, and dramatic tension,...

Putting It Together Summary The effort to convert a classic work of art into a distinctive new medium, namely a theatrical musical

Transforming Georges Seurat's paintings into a stage production presented unique artistic challenges.

This segment of the narrative delves into the distinct obstacles encountered by Lapine and Sondheim as they endeavored to adapt Seurat's iconic work into a theatrical performance. The book explores their choices concerning the visual design, theatrical techniques, and musical score configurations to encapsulate the intrinsic essence and themes of the artwork, while avoiding simple imitation. The book explores how Seurat's story from a bygone era is woven together with a contemporary narrative, ensuring that the themes remain coherent and unified throughout both acts.

The authors faced the difficult task of not only condensing the core themes and patterns of the artwork into the story and songs but also of incorporating the visual components and creatively arranging the musical's production.

Developing a stage musical from Seurat's artwork involved extracting a story inherent within the painting itself, while also transforming its key components for dramatic portrayal. Lapine and Sondheim faced a unique set of challenges while striving to bring this visual medium to...

Putting It Together Summary The intricate challenges and organizational obstacles associated with debuting a new musical on the world-renowned Broadway stage.

The production's evolution faced significant challenges due to its unconventional nature and the fact that it underwent continuous transformation during the initial workshop and preview phases.

This segment emphasizes the difficulties encountered in transitioning from the early phases of development to achieving a notable status in the Broadway theater district. The book highlights the distinct characteristics of the musical's essence and the unresolved elements that led to tension and disagreement within the creative team, particularly in relation to the show's second act. The text also reveals how Lapine honed his abilities to navigate the intricacies of theater production, dealing with union rules, and managing the limitations of schedules and budgets, while striving to maintain the cast's morale high in the face of early audience reactions that were less than positive.

The writers felt a continuous obligation to refine the latter half of the production, simultaneously coping with the pressures associated with Broadway's preliminary performances and the reactions of the spectators.

Moving to Broadway signified a step up to a more illustrious platform for the...

Putting It Together Summary Creating a stage production depends greatly on the unified efforts and commitment of all members of the creative ensemble.

The theatrical production was a testament to the collaborative spirit, with the designer, musicians, and stage management team playing crucial roles in realizing the authors' creative vision.

This section highlights the crucial contributions of the entire creative team. The book highlights how Lapine's vision for the musical "Sunday in the Park with George" was brought to life and elevated through the collaborative efforts of designers, musicians, and stage managers, underscoring the essential nature of teamwork in the execution and presentation of a complex theatrical production. The book explores the challenges faced by each team, highlighting how they adeptly transformed the technique of pointillism into a visual dialect suitable for the stage, all while managing the complex technical aspects of the Chromolume.

Lapine effectively utilized the collective skills and teamwork of his crew, which included individuals such as Ann Hould-Ward and Patricia Zipprodt for costume creation, and with the help of Tony Straiges for the scenic design, skillfully captured the visual elements of the painting in the theatrical performance.

Lapine understood the crucial role of a...