Company...your thoughts?

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 4:16am

I am thinking of going to see Company this weekend and was curious to know what people thought...is it good? Bad? Should I ditch Company and see something else?

What do you think?

Also...for those who have see the show, how are the seats in the Barrymore theatre? (Is it one of those "all seats are good" theatres or is there an area I sould avoid?)

I'm up in the air as to whether I purchase my tickets on-line (discounted) or whether I attempt to wait in the TKTS line. I'm thinking of the first row in the upper mezz...(super cheap)...but am I making a bad decision? HELP!

Your input is MUCH appreciated!

[ABSteel]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 4:27am

DISCLAIMER: I've never seen the musical. I've just heard the recording.

That is, I LOVE THE RECORDING! It isn't a traditional musical. There's a scene, and then another character comments, through song, on that scene, instead of the main characters singing about themselves, or whatever. The actors aslo play the instruments while they're not in the scene. It's Doyle. What do you expect?

My one real problem with it is Barbara Walsh. I enjoy Elaine Stritch's version of "The Ladies Who Lunch" better. Her other lines, though, are head on.

I think it's on of Sondheim's better scores. It's my third favorite, after Sweeney and Into the Woods.

If you see it, I hope you enjoy!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 6:59am

It is well worth your time

I saw the original as well . This is a first rate revival & Esparza is great

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:31am

Go see it! AS far as the seats, avoid the rear-side orchestra.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:34am

This is a so-so production of a great musical.
Raul's performance is totally overated.
But go, and form your own opinion, cause they need the business and it will be gone very soon.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:40am

I'd definitely recommend seeing it. I think all of the seats are good, but personal opinion is that it's best viewed from the front mezzanine.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 7:49am

I thought the music was great. But personally I like a little more...storyline...in my plays and musicals. It felt to me more like some sort of showtunes concert with an attempt to tie them together.

Or maybe I'm just dense.

It's not on my list of rewatches though.

[joe5]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 8:00am

One of my favorite shows this season. It gave me the Broadway moment. That's hard to find.............

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 9:42am

One of my favorites that I've ever seen. A great musical with great performances that are not limited to Raul Esparza.

[Weez]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 9:51am

I loved COMPANY. I loved the cast recording right off bat, and I found watching the production even more fulfilling. Raúl does a great job with a pretty underwhelming role, and the rest of the cast are awesomes too. Especially the women!

As rumours are going that the show isn't going to last muuuch longer, I'd say to see it. I know I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something. ^_^

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 10:20am

Do a search; there are like nine thousand threads on the production in which you can find people sharing their thoughts, heated debates, etc.

See it. It's not for everybody by any means, but you won't want to have missed it when it's gone, and it's struggling. It needs word of mouth. I can't possibly say enough good things about it. It's one of the best things I've ever seen. I'm completely in love with it, but that's just me.

The boxes are pretty obstructed if you aren't right in the front, but they're rush seats, so if you're buying tickets in advance, avoiding them shouldn't be a problem. It's best seen from the mezzanine; it's just better to look at, and the theater is small enough that you're not too far away if you sit up there. Of course, the facial expressions are better downstairs, but on the whole, the show just looks better from above.

Updated On: 4/24/07 at 10:20 AM

[keen on kean]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 10:40am

I have seen it three times, most recently about ten days ago. It is not everyone's cup of tea, but it most certainly is mine. The music and lyrics are funny and touching and poetic. The staging is fluid and clever - watch how husbands and wives move in each other's orbits, and Bobby frequently is doing his own thing - standing still when others are moving, standing above everyone else looking down. Esparza is heart breaking - and he has the most beautiful singing and speaking voice I've heard on Broadway for a long time. Do see it -

I have had seats in the middle of the orchestra, and also towards the back of the mezzanine and had good unobstructed views, but the closer the better because there are a lot of fairly subtle things going on.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 10:50am

Am I the only one that didn't love it? While I adore the music and subsequent cast recording, the staging turned me off so bad! Especially the opening number where they march around in a square.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 10:59am

I didn't love it Gypsy. I was glad I only paid student rush prices. However, the fact that I was front row at the point of the stage...not great for pretending to be enthusiastic.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 11:05am

One of my favorite shows! Raúl Esparza is wonderful (I've warmed to his interpretation after hearing the recording a few times) and it shouldn't be missed!

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 12:02pm

Consider how much your ticket will cost, and decide if it's worth spending on a production that's, to be blunt, not that good.

[matty159]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 12:40pm

Have at it! I saw it a few weeks ago loved every minute of it. Raul's performance is amazing (I know some say over-rated, but I completely disagree). I definitely had several goosebump moments during the show and it that doesn't happen to me much in the theater of late. I went in with high expectations, and left thoroughly satisfied.

Also, I did TKTS and got second row on the aisle. Excellent seats -- didn't feel like I missed anything going on...and the view of Raul up close wasn't so bad either!

[gumbo2]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 12:49pm

I loved it. Sure John Doyle staging can be kind of weird at times, but I thought everything fit in within the context of the production. I actually saw it once from the box seats and didn't mind it THAT much (though we moved at intermission to some much better seats). Anyway, in my opinion it's one of the best shows playing on Broadway now and definitely worth seeing.

[Danielm]

Posted: 4/24/07 at 1:23pm

I thought it was the best production of this show I've ever seen. I think the concept of having the actors play the instruments is really effective here--far moreso than Sweeney Todd (which I found very interesting, and liked a lot, but thought the narrative was lost in the second act). The cast is excellent (I was not expecting them to be after reading the reviews). I've always thought this was a very difficult show with an incredible score, I've seen several productions (fully staged--though I did not see the original) and feel this one works better than any of them.

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 6:38am

Well, I saw this show and must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it! I liked how the actors played the instruments...I have not seen anything like it (I haven't seen "Sweeny"), so it was different...but I liked it none the less. And Raul Esparza...man that boy can sing! I wish that more people would see it...the orchestra fo the most part, was filled, but the mezzanine was not. It's a shame...but thanks for your reviews...they got me to go!

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:55am

The show isn't selling out, so you'd probably get good seats wherever, and also you can move at intermission to wherever you like, really, as long as the seat isn't occupied. I personally thought it was incredible, heartbreaking, and hysterical all at the same time. Raul Esparza was (in my opinion) INCREDIBLE, and everything was top-notch. I'm just an overall fan. Don't be fooled by the CR, it is different form the show as in the feel of it, at times, but just sitting there makes all the difference. CHOOSE COMPANY! -end-

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 11:57am

"It is well worth your time

I saw the original as well . This is a first rate revival & Esparza is great"


Weren't you blatantly against this revival? What changed your mind...

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 12:12pm

I agree. It's a first rate revival. I'm surprised too that it's not selling well.

Updated On: 4/29/07 at 12:12 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/29/07 at 12:18pm

To Munk

I admit I made an error. I got TDF tickets so I figured if I did not like it I was not losing a ton. While I still like regular orchestras & doubt Doyle's staging would work with most musicals, I was pleasantly surprised with this. It is really an intimate musical & that is where Doyle's staging works best.

Would I see a Les Miz by John Doyle? No but I must admit the thought of the french storming barricades carring horns & gutiars seems quite funny

It is not selling well as high ticket prices & with a lot of shows, some (unfortunately) are left by the wayside due to people not having enough to see everything they would want. It is sad but true.

Updated On: 4/29/07 at 12:18 PM