Company Commentary Thread — Page 14

Sorry for the consecutive posts. I wasn't paying attention.

You could look at it that way. You could also seem them as another hundred people getting off of the train. People he sees and just knows without ever actually talking to.

Yup, same concept.

As for the actor/musicians, I meant that the entire thing was innovative..but I was wondering if there was a point to it. Symbolism and interpretation can escape me.

Um. Are you familiar with the history of John Doyle working with actor-musicians at all? If you're not, he's done it with a number of shows over in the U.K., but obviously became known for it here because of Sweeney. When he was doing Sweeney, the "concept" was employed out of financial necessity. The production couldn't afford to hire an orchestra. Obviously he made it work very, very well as an artistic endeavor as well, but the concept as we know it in the States was born of economic necessity. I believe it went that Doyle was asked to do a show with actor-musicians before Sweeney even came to Broadway -- someone had seen it in England and loved it, so they wanted him to do something here. So in Company's case, it was not a matter of financial constraint. But, you can read into it a lot of ways. There are musical moments that often seem very in-tune with the particular characters; the instruments, in the hands of very talented musicians, often act as extensions of their very personalities. And in Company, of course, there's the really overt metaphor of "the company." They all quite literally form a full company in and of themselves -- actors and musicians. And by not playing an instrument, Bobby doesn't fit into that. Those instruments are symbolic of something way greater -- literally metaphorical of what Bobby cannot do. And so it's perfect that he doesn't play anything other than a kazoo until Being Alive -- until he has that breakthrough.

Wow. Haven't done that in a long time. *brain stretch* It felt good.

---

Updated On: 2/22/08 at 02:10 AM

I loved it!

Except for the bleeping. I only caught it twice. What was the second? (If "Christ" was the first.)

It was wonderful, beautiful, smart, funny, charming, witty, brilliant, sad, happy... everything.

I also liked the interview with Sondheim. That was a treat.

My favorite song has always been "The Ladies Who Lunch".

---

we didnt have any bleeps here in nyc.

i felt so sophistimacated.

So I've now viewed the show several times and here are some of my thoughts
HATED THE BLEEPING- It was so distracting at times, in Cincinnati it was close to 4 or 5 things bleeped out
Love the whole look and feel of this revival
I did feel that some of the numbers lacked the energy the original had esp. the opening number.
Raul interpretation of Bobby is one for the record books..he was absolutely amazing
Overall I loved and was very moved by this show....

---

^ My friend made a very similar observation on "Marry Me A Little", actually. Which is why I love the song... because Raul doesn't belt (at least not when you expect it). The ending is always my favorite part... how he glides into "I'm ready". It's gorgeous.

And when he sings "Wait" in "Someone Is Waiting". It's almost heart-breaking...

---

I did not need the camera shots where it looked like we were about to go down Raul's throat. Yikes

mmmmmmm speak for yours...uh, I mean... no comment

I remember when that was added. It became a more deliberate stop, where he'd rush toward the light, and then stumble at the edge to stop himself just before stepping into it. Love.

---

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 05:16 AM

Oh, and for 2 performances this past June 2007 -- this was taking place at the Barrymore Theatre:







PHOTOS courtesy of: luvtheEmcee

Updated On: 2/24/08 at 11:59 AM

Heh, I took those pictures. (Except the last one.)

LePetiteFromage, I'm really glad you liked it. And sweetestsiren, I agree. I would have loved to see the full image of Bobby in the light for that last moment.

I was never a crier until I met Company. I had cried at the theater occasionally -- like, I cried at the closing shows of both Aida and Sweeney, and the last time I saw Cabaret, but it was because they were going away. Maybe another time here or there. But it was Raul's Being Alive that really broke me. Sometimes I'm still not sure if I cried for Bobby or with him, but even... what is it now, 8 months? later, that visceral punch is something I can still feel. And that has never happened to me before. Not with any of the great theater I've been lucky enough to see.

---

Updated On: 2/24/08 at 12:21 PM

I did not need the camera shots where it looked like we were about to go down Raul's throat. Yikes

mmmmmmm speak for yours...uh, I mean... no comment

Hee. After I typed that I thought it might sound bad, but left it any way. It made me giggle.

"But it's true, I would have "Marry Me A Little" at my wedding."

Are you sure? It's your wedding, but I'm not sure that a song about wanting to only commit halfway is the best way to start a marriage.

Your friend is not a Broadway fan. Just an ALW fan.

You're right. It's a lost cause.

---