Company Review 11/1 — Page 3

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#51

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/2/06 at 2:42pm

I want to hear a full orchestra, and see the actors playing a role, not an instrument.

So would it be fair to say you are more of a fan of Jonathan Tuckick than you are of Sondheim?

#52

Do you have any idea how beautiful Sondheim's score sounds with a full orchestra, and how empty and lackluster is sounded in Doyle's production?!?!?!? If I'm paying over $100 to see a show, I want a full orchestra, not actor/musicians where the arrangements are practically non-existent. I mean Barbara Walsh clinking on a glass ... come on! It sounded like I was at a rehearsal, not a performance. And its Jonathan Tunick, not Tuckick.

No need to get testy. I do know what Sondheims shows sound like with a full orchestra. I also like the fact that his shows can become chamber musicals as well and guess what...SO DOES SONDHEIM!! He liked the revival of Sweeney better than the original broadway production. He wanted it to be a chamber style musical all along. The only reason you have even heard Sondheims musicals with a full orchestra has a hell of a lot more to do with TUNICK and Hal Prince than it ever had with the writer himself.

#54

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/2/06 at 3:46pm

"The only reason you have even heard Sondheims musicals with a full orchestra has a hell of a lot more to do with TUNICK and Hal Prince than it ever had with the writer himself."

And if we hadn't heard those shows with full orchestra, you would NEVER be hearing them as a chamber musical. Now, I thoroughly enjoyed the production of Most Happy Fella that had only 2 pianos, but they were in the pit, they weren't actors playing them. But this Doyle interpretration just doesn't sound at all complete to me; like something is drastically missing. It is ... the music!

#55

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/2/06 at 3:51pm

I did not get the feeling the music was missing. I can certainly respect your opinion though. I am surprised the people who dont like it really really really dont like it.

I didn't like Sweeney but that had a lot more to do with Patti Lupone than with the actor/instrument thing.

#56

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/2/06 at 7:09pm

I also must disagree. I know Company's score from the original recording backwards and forwards, and I find these orchestations to bring OUT the music and make it that much clearer and more beautiful. Also, I think the someone said that "Being Alive" didn't have that swell feeling to it, but I thought it definitely did, and with new meaning. It is a beautiful job well done by Mary Mitchell Campbell.

"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too." - Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck

#57

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/2/06 at 7:24pm

I as well actually enjoy the new orchestrations more... and I am a huge fan of the OBC recording.

I found the opening of Side By Side to be especially effective.

But yes... when i was at the show, I met a woman who absolutely HATED it (her words) and was very vocal about it. I find it very interesting that people tend to either LOVE or HATE the show, though... I think extremes either way prove that COMPANY is a work of art; art is meant to incite passionate feelings and discussion.

"Well, obviously Company is about the Kennedy family. Bobby is played by Raul, and JFK is played by Harvey Fierstein." -vfd88

#58

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/2/06 at 11:02pm

Gahhh Side by Side by Side...that kazoo! That staging! I LOVE how Doyle does this song.

#59

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/4/06 at 1:08pm

hey can play musical instruments fairly well and sing all right - fail to make any disctinct impression.

- You've got to be kidding me. I think this is the best sung COMPANY on Broadway yet. I've never heard an ensemble hit the chords on the opening number so perfectly.

Also. I've never heard a Marta sing ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE with such ease. Both Pamela Myers and LaChanze show evident struggle with the song.

If anything, I was MOST impressed by the vocals in this production.

#60

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/4/06 at 1:12pm

Angel is singing it in a lowered key, isn't she? I think she's adorable.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

#61

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/4/06 at 1:17pm

Oooh, maybe that's why she seemed so comfortable with it. Oh well, she still did a lovely job. It was the most controlled version of the song I've heard, but I don't know if that's due to the lowered key.

#62

re: Company Review 11/1

Posted: 11/4/06 at 1:19pm

I think I read somewhere that she was; I can't tell myself. (Watch it be blindingly obvious.)

A work of art is an invitation to love.

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