Company Reviews (and beyond) — Page 29

ljay889 said: "I think the opening number makes the most sense for the Tonys. It’s already been filmed, but it’s an upbeat catchy song that could sell tickets. It doesn’t feature Patti much, but I think it would make the most overall sense."

I agree, and I think this will come down to how many Tony nominations the production ends up getting in a few weeks. If we see a bevy of Company performance noms (which I think will at a minimum include Lenk, LuPone, Simard, Doyle, Elder, and potentially even Fitzgerald, Sieber, and others...), then it justifies doing the opening number more, in order to highlight as many Tony nominees possible instead of showcasing Katrina or Patti.

Any news on Patti’s departure during intermission last night? I hope she’s okay but haven’t heard anything.

I’m so so so heartbroken though. I’ve been waiting to hear her sing Ladies Who Lunch for years now. I had tickets in April 2020 and just booked a special trip to NYC this week to finally see the show. I loved the first act and felt like I was walking on clouds at intermission and then we got the dreaded announcement. I have to say I was pretty numb in the second act just processing it all. Props to her understudy who came on and nailed it but I was obviously disappointed it wasn’t Patti.


I might try to get a cheap ticket for Sat matinee if Patti will be back but I haven’t heard any announcement either way.

Looks like she’s out tonight, e-mails going out soon.

I hope Patti is ok.

Patti is out tonight. Looks like Simard will be on for her and Kathryn Allison will play Sarah. Britney Coleman is still on as Jenny and Jacob Dickey is playing Paul.

Simard confirmed on her IG she's on as Joanne tonight.

Everyone is in INCREDIBLE hands with Simard as Joanne!

hak5 said: "Do we have any news on how long Patti may be out (as well as the reason) ??"

No word. Odd, because the last time she was out, the show released a statement about having COVID.

ACL2006 said: "Yes, Anisha played the role in Act 2. Curious who plays the Bobbie double when Anisha in on as Joanne or Susan?"

When I saw Company, Anisha was on for Susan. I’m 99% sure that the Bobbie double at the end of Act I was Kathryn Allison, but Anisha was still a double in Tick-Tock.

I saw Company on Wednesday night. It was quite an enjoyable night at the theater and the role of Joanne seemed like it was written for LuPone. Both LuPone and Lenk were so good with their Bea Arthur-style reactions and deadpan looks. I'm sorry if it breaks a BWW rule to compare LuPone here to Arthur but that's what her and Lenk's performance reminded me of, in a very good way of course.

There aren't many new shows that I want to see again (and again) but this is definitely one of them. So many deliciously funny and and creatively acted and directed scenes, I feel like I could appreciate more with repeated viewings.

As for what people were saying about Doyle on this thread, I felt bad for him because he was sweating like crazy through his big number and the audience was going crazy for the preacher. Every time she appeared the audience went nuts. And then at the end of the number, the way it was staged blew the roof off the Jacobs Theater. But that applause and reaction really wasn't for Doyle at all, so that was awkward.

I, along with the chatty theater queens behind me were anxiously waiting Ladies Who Lunch (man oh man did they discover some stuff about their relationship while they watched "Getting Married Today". Yikes! They openly talked and shared their feelings about the opinions expressed in the song and let's just say they didn't agree with each other and they did not know they didn't agree with each other until that song. I bet they are broken up now) As much I awaited Ladies Who Lunch, it was not my favorite LuPone performance of the night. I loved all of her ensemble stuff much more. She was often inaudible and of course her diction was atrocious so I found myself waiting for the song to end to get more of her delicious line readings. And I apologize for the Patti criticism. Please be gentle with me theater gods.

Agree about The Preacher stealing the performance! I don’t know why everyone is raving about his performance ….yes he works his butt off but it’s all about the preacher

JasonC3 said: "Hmm.

I'd say The Preacher is more aboutMarianne Elliott and her clever ideas for staging. Anyone in that role would likely get similar reactions as a result.

Doyle's performance of the song, however, is not replicated quite so easily."

And this discussion comes up a lot. Yes, sometimes there is a staging that stops the show. But a performer has to be able to set it up and sell it. Yes, Marianne Elliot's staging is incredible, but he lives up to it, rides it like a wave.

Saw the show last night, and "Not Getting Married Today' was fantastic! Show stopping! The preacher makes an already hilarious musical number even better. Incredible performance by Doyle all the way around.

Patti was out last night, unfortunately. Seeing 18 shows during my NYC trip, but unfortunately don't have any extra time slots to try and see it again.