Company Reviews (and beyond)- Page 36

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/30/22 at 12:02pm

I saw yesterday’s matinee and it was absolutely a Tony season performance. It was the freest I’ve ever seen the cast. The full cast was in and everyone was on their A game.

Simard and Sieber have added subtle changes to their scene and it was delightful. 
 

I still can’t comprehend how Lenk wasn’t nominated. This was the most fun I’ve seen her have in the role. Vocally, this was the most I’ve ever heard her belt “Marry Me a Little” and it sounded wonderful. Her “Being Alive” is still devastating. What she manages to do in those 5 minutes is nothing short of brilliant. 
 

Patti seems to have reigned in her performance for the Tony voters. Less goofy than previous performances I’ve seen. It was a very fresh performance, and her LWL was perfection from start the finish.
The ending of the club scene with Katrina has intensified even more since I’ve last seen the show. It’s chilling. 
 

Also, special props to Claybourne Elder who consistently gives a funny and fresh performance. His sexual chemistry with Katrina has grown so much and they are so in tune with each other. It’s a shame he was also overlooked for a Tony nomination.

This Tony season is definitely a great time to see the show.  

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 5/30/22 at 12:17pm

I always love reading your thoughts, ljay. I agree 100% re: Lenk and Elbourne being overlooked for their performances by the Tony nominators. Both performances are fantastic and were worthy of not only nominations, but wins in my book.

[round2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 10:23am

Count me as also astounded that Katrina Lenk's performance wasn't nominated for a Tony. After two previous ticket bookings were cancelled because of COVID (one in 2020, one in 2021), I finally got to see this spectacular production last week. I had come to expect to be far less impacted by it than I was, packed as it is with so many fantastic performances, and a magnificent re-imagining by the brilliant Marianne Elliot. THAT's what I call a REVIVAL!

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 12:09pm

Count me in as someone shocked that Claybourne Elder was overlooked. I was expecting Matt Doyle's nomination, but the truth is, I really don't think he's doing anything special with the role. I think Nikki Renée Daniels is bringing the humor that he isn't even thinking about, and the reason people are so impressed is because that patter is, admittedly, difficult. But there really is no nuance or humor in his performance - just technical vocal skill and big hand gestures. I've seen this revival four times and every single time, Claybourne has killed me with what he's doing with Andy. I know where all the laughs are supposed to go, and I know the script, and he somehow finds a way to make me laugh every time. I would have given him the win, no doubt. Sad that he wasn't even nominated.

And I can't even talk about Katrina's snub. I'll add my voice to the choir of people saying that this puts a gigantic tarnish on the committee's reputation. She is a revelation and I can't wait to go back a fifth time and see her again.

Can we please get a cast recording?!?

[ATerrifyingAndImposingFigure]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 12:13pm

I just don’t understand the critique that Doyle isn’t adding anything to the song. I recently came across a recording Jonathan Bailey’s Olivier winning performance and Doyle brought our way more tics and laughs and character.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 12:14pm

I've said this before but.....if the nominating committee saw her either before covid or early during this time 'round, they didn't see what many of us did.  She was struggling vocally and there were many here that had issues with her performance.    Am I still bummed about her not being nominated?  You betcha, but if things had stayed as they did pre covid, it seems justified.  The reviews were not amazing for her either - and I suspect they might be now.

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 7:37pm

But don't the Tony voters/nominating committee see the shows again before they make their final decisions on who/what should be nominated? Or am I completely off? I follow theater very closely,but I'm not an expert.

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 9:18pm

fosterfan2 said: "But don't the Tony voters/nominating committee see the shows again before they make their final decisions on who/what should be nominated? Or am I completely off? I follow theater very closely,but I'm not an expert."

Yes. The show didn’t even officially open pre-pandemic. The nominations would have to be based on the 2021 cast etc. I still can’t believe the Katrina snub and agree about Claybourne too. No offense to Jared Grimes but I would’ve nominated Claybourne as Andy over Jared’s Eddie Ryan. Elder has really made the part his own and found laughs where there aren’t typically laughs in that part. It’s lazy on the nominators part IMHO. 

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 5/31/22 at 10:14pm

I agree with you about Katrina. I'm unable to see the show,but I've seen a lot of footage of her and she is amazing--I was really moved by what I saw of her singing,and especially her acting,in the recent PBS documentary. She had tears in her eyes at the end of "Being Alive." Katrina is SO talented,dedicated,and she even has a great attendance record.

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 12:08am

fosterfan2 said: "I agree with you about Katrina. I'm unable to see the show,but I've seen a lot of footage of her and she is amazing--I was really moved by what I saw of her singing,and especially her acting,in the recent PBS documentary. She had tears in her eyes at the end of "Being Alive." Katrina is SO talented,dedicated,and she even has a great attendance record."

For me its the part of the documentary where she describes how as a woman you adapt to play the part that certain people need that truly won me over. Katrina’s Bobbie is navigating her way thru and being adaptive for all her friends. She finally cancels that tact and becomes who she is. Its so perfect. I love it. xo

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 12:08am

fosterfan2 said: "I agree with you about Katrina. I'm unable to see the show,but I've seen a lot of footage of her and she is amazing--I was really moved by what I saw of her singing,and especially her acting,in the recent PBS documentary. She had tears in her eyes at the end of "Being Alive." Katrina is SO talented,dedicated,and she even has a great attendance record."

For me its the part of the documentary where she describes how as a woman you adapt to play the part that certain people need that truly won me over. Katrina’s Bobbie is navigating her way thru and being adaptive for all her friends. She finally cancels that tact and becomes who she is. Its so perfect. I love it. xo

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 10:45am

ATerrifyingAndImposingFigure said: "I just don’t understand the critique that Doyle isn’t adding anything to the song. I recently came across a recording Jonathan Bailey’s Olivier winning performance and Doyle brought our way more tics and laughs and character."

I just don't understand how anyone could watch a recording of Jonathan Bailey's Olivier winning performance and think Doyle is adding more, or anything, to the song. For me, Bailey delivered so much more nuance and laughs and character than Doyle's one-note twitching and flailing and wailing.

Different strokes and all that.

Updated On: 6/1/22 at 10:45 AM

[binau]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 11:12am

Personally I preferred Jonathan Bailey (maybe the only thing I preferred about the West End production), although at the time I remember some people also complaining he was a little one-note with red-faced anxiety and high-pitched rapid gay shtick line readings and indeed you can actually see elements of this same performance carry over to the West End Cock play. I know it sounds shallow but part of it for me I think was he was just so attractive in those tight (white?) trousers it was really hard to keep your eyes off him LOL. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 12:41pm

I didn’t see Bailey but I get the impression Doyle plays it less flamboyantly than Bailey. 

[mcsquared]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 1:31pm

Forgive  me if there's already been another thread on this but does anyone know if this might tour?

[ashley0139]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 1:47pm

For me the biggest overlook (besides Katrina of course which I can't even talk about) is Chris Sieber. He is giving my favorite non-Katrina or Patti performance. I think what he is doing is nuanced and subtle and heartbreaking yet still funny. He would have been my next pick for a nom, even before Jennifer. I prefer Sieber's performance. I wish he were getting more acknowledgement.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 2:09pm

Thou I very much enjoyed Doyle's performance, i think most of his success as Jaime has alot to do with the support he gets from Etai Benson as Paul.  Etai literally breaks my heart in 'the scene' each time i've seen it, and he brings so much to the rest of the show....... certainly deserves just as many kudos as Matt Doyle.

 

And I also agree that both Claybourne Elder and Chris Sieber should have also been nominated, with the win going to Claybourne

Updated On: 6/1/22 at 02:09 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 2:09pm

mcsquared said: "Forgive me if there's already been another thread on this but does anyone know if this might tour?"

Seems doubtful even if it wins best musical revival. They would need a name as Bobbi and/or Joanne.

[ATerrifyingAndImposingFigure]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 2:10pm

Yeah Sieber’s work has been way overlooked. He’s perfect with Simard and he kills his solo.

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 2:39pm

mcsquared said: "Forgive me if there's already been another thread on this but does anyone know if this might tour?"

I highly doubt a tour would go out. Sondheim is more of a niche ticket buying market. It would be a very tough sell around the country. Have any Sondheim shows toured? 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 2:56pm

I mean... a bunch of them have toured at some time (including Company), most not this century. 

Most recently, Off-Broadway Into the Woods toured several years ago, probably trying to capitalize on the movie

As far as this production, I think it might depend on if it can prove to have a bigger appeal with a slew of Tony wins, if they can get decent names for Bobbi and Joanne, and if they can make it work with the set. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 3:07pm

Bill Snibson said: "mcsquared said: "Forgive me if there's already been another thread on this but does anyone know if this might tour?"

I highly doubt a tour would go out. Sondheim is more of a niche ticket buying market. It would be a very tough sell around the country. Have any Sondheim shows toured?"

The John Doyle Sweeney Todd toured. I think Company will tour. Especially if/ when it wins best revival.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 4:38pm

It wouldn’t be that difficult to tour this production, and if you get the right people it could be an easy sell for smaller engagements in bigger cities.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 4:58pm

I remember seeing the Doyle Sweeney in Denver in a pretty full theater.

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 6/1/22 at 5:12pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "It wouldn’t be that difficult to tour this production, and if you get the right people it could be an easy sell for smaller engagements in bigger cities."

The scenic design would really need to be re-worked, tho right? Its seems pretty intricate.