Company Review 11/1

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 11:53pm

Just got home from seeing Company this evening. A really enjoyable evening seeing a very innovative version of the classic show. In my opinion, the actors as musicians works slightly less well here than in Sweeney, but doesn't detract from the show in any way. I thought I might miss the funky electric guitar orchestrations of the original, but found many of the songs in this chamber version orchestrated extremely beautifully, particularly "Someone is Waiting", "The Ladies Who Lunch" and "Marry Me a Little." The one orchestration that really doesn't work for me is, unfortunately, the ending song, "Being Alive." It starts out with Bobby sitting down to play the piano for the first time in the show, which works well. But once he gets up and the really powerful music kicks in, the fourteen or so musicians on the stage just can't effectively create that big, swelling magical sound I feel the final moments need. The effect of one trumpet here, one trombone here, one violin here, etc comes out sounding a bit tinney to me when it should sound like a swelling orchestra. I realize this is impossible giving the production's limitations, but perhaps the entire thing could be somehow reorchestrated or perhaps restaged to be a solo number entirely with Bobby and the piano. But, that aside, a really wonderful evening of theatre. I'd say John DOyle has done it again and (hopefully) will win his well-deserved tony this time around. I also believe that, early into this season, the Tony is Raul Esparza's to lose.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 11:56pm

"In my opinion, the actors as musicians works slightly less well here than in Sweeney, but doesn't detract from the show in any way."

Didn't see that one.

[BroadwayRandy0711]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 3:37am

"I also believe that, early into this season, the Tony is Raul Esparza's to lose."
Do you really mean that? From all of the reviews I have read, everyone says how wonderful he is in the role and how he deserves it.
Updated On: 11/2/06 at 03:37 AM

[VeuveClicquot]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 3:57am

Fabulous review, theatreboy.

Can you provide more insight? How was "Not Getting Married?"

More importantly, how was "Another Hundred People?"

Inquiring minds want to know.

[April Saul]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 8:01am

Wow, another positive review on this board for Company, while over on All That Chat, everyone seems to hate it! I guess folks will go one way or the other on this one, but the extremes seem really odd to me....

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 8:44am

Randy, I think you misunderstood the statement.

They were saying that he deserves the Tony.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:12am

I agree that it is weird, April Saul. How is it possible that most people on BWW seem to love it and most on ATC seem to hate it???

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:19am

I went and checked out ATC as well. WOW. They don't hate it; they're close to despising it. Perhaps the demographics of the two boards are different, and that is affecting the reactions? I have no idea.

Updated On: 11/2/06 at 09:19 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:30am

Yeah. I think we're a lot younger than they are, overall. ATC tends to be full of old, bitter theater queens, no? Not to generalize... heh, BUT Doyle has made several comments about how he believes that young people are more willing to suspend their disbelief and accept what he's going for. Not that the young people on this board are the only ones loving Company, but I think it helps with the general attitude. The ATC people also hate pretty much everything.

I haven't read most of the posts there; I've just heard some of what they say secondhand. I can't read them.

Anyway, wooo, Tony. You know, with so much talk of one this early on and hopefully continuing, a loss is going to suck more than it normally would.

Updated On: 11/2/06 at 09:30 AM

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:39am

Hey, I'm 51 and I thought it was great!!!

ken

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:40am

I guess I just don't get what's to hate. Sure, everyone can have his or her own opinion and, yeah, this is a risky venture, but it turned out so beautifully with such great performers. But, you know, oh well...

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:41am

51 years young, Ken!

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:50am

Say what you want about Doyle but at the end of the day he is right. For years people have been saying Sondheim is better than Webber cause of his lyrics and complicated melodies yet when a director comes along and actually strips these previous big budget productions down to the minumum people start complaining? I dont get it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:55am

Because people are afraid to accept something a little bit different. The thing about it is that if Sondheim's material ITSELF is so great, it shouldn't (in many cases, but I hesitate to say this is always true) need elaborate sets and costumes and so forth. It needs the story. The music and the lyrics. And if Doyle's theatrical purism strips the show down so that's almost all you have, then that makes for a very beautiful thing.

The day people start talking about this show like the poster above me did is a sad, sad day.

Updated On: 11/2/06 at 09:55 AM

[wikkkkdd]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:56am

hos teh nutgob?

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:57am

go away

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:58am

It really worked for me. And, I'm in the "in-between generation".


I've seen this show done in many different ways over the years, and I love this staging, and the perspective from which the show is delivered. This is Bobby's show. His point of view.


I was there last night, as well. And plan to return a few more times.

Loved it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:59am

Addy, what did you think of Raul?

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:01am

oh, Em, he was fabulous! I'm so happy to see him have a role he can really sink his teeth into.

He just shines in it.

LOVED him.

(And, let me venture a guess as to what you thought?... )

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:02am

Don't get your hopes up with Tony talk. It's still November, don't forget.

He's pretty much guaranteed a nomination (if not, I'll definately be surprised), but it's too early to guarantee a win. Would his winning be great? Of course. He's due. It's just early, though.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:04am

I find it really interesting that so many Sondheim purists are so against Doyle's productions, when Sondheim himself enthusiastically supports them. Reading over threads related to both Sweeney and Company, I'm finding that a lot of the naysayers are just not able to understand WHY Doyle would do this - why the instruments are being played, if it's not supposed to be called a "gimmick." What Doyle does is strip everything away, so you're left with the lyrics and an outstanding understanding of the storytelling aspect. Anyway, I think he's a genius for it.

Re: Tony talk. Even if it's too early to be predicting, this could be one of those situations where they award the Tony to Raul, not only based on his performance as Bobby, but also having to do with the fact that he's the guy who's been nominated before but has never won. It's almost the exact opposite as Cerveris' situation last year.

Updated On: 11/2/06 at 10:04 AM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:04am

...and it's too early to guarantee Christine Ebersole's win as well.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:08am

Yes and no. Ebersole has been the predicted winner for about 8 months now. Unless someone comes in and trumps her completely (which is near impossible), then it's hers. They should just give her a special honor and save all the Ashley Brown's the "will I/won't I win" stress.

Then we'd have a real competition.

As for the men, I think the toughest competition is between Raul and Gavin. Let the games begin.
Updated On: 11/2/06 at 10:08 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:12am

If he loses to someone in a Disney musical, I don't care how good the performance, be it irrational, I will be SO INCREDIBLY ANGRY.

Addy, I loved him even more this time. I think he's perfect, and not just because he's Raul -- I've thought him many times imperfect. No other performer has ever moved me quite literally to tears.

Updated On: 11/2/06 at 10:12 AM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:20am

His performance was so heartfelt. Didn't you just want to hug him?