"Company" 3/10, evening performance

[karen24]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 12:02pm

Just wanted to post that my son and I did see Raul Esparza in "Company" on Saturday night (we had previously gone on a night when Bradley Dean was subbing for Raul.) In fact, the entire cast was present and accounted for. It was a great evening.

Now that I have seen both Raul and Bradley in the role, I can understand why Raul is getting such raves. Not that Bradley's performance wasn't good; it was, especially considering that he was stepping into the role for the first time. I guess I'd say that his Bobby was more of a "traditional" Bobby (my son said he reminded him of Dean Jones on the original cast album.) He was quite contained through most of the show, sometimes really blending into the scenery if he didn't have dialogue. With Raul, you always noticed him onstage even if he wasn't speaking or interacting directly with the other actors.

I did notice a couple of little things that showed me how comfortable this cast is with working with Raul. "You Could Drive A Person Crazy" seemed much tighter and funnier with Raul there--the theree women had seemed to be thrown off a little bit working against Bradley. Also, in the scene at the end between Joanne and Bobby (the one in the bar), Barbara Walsh held that stare at Raul FOREVER. It was much, much longer than the one she did with Bradley. It was almost uncomfortable to watch, it went on for so long, but you could really feel the two of them working off each other and almost challenging one another to break first. It was great!

Raul's voice sounded great and his "Being Alive" was excellent, although I have to say that Bradley Dean did a great job with that song as well.

Karen

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 12:17pm

Esparza is the event here, more than the new triple-duty casting requirements dictated by Doyle, to my thinking. I've found myself wondering how the entire interpretation works without him. On the CD -- which I've just begun to listen to, 3 months after seeing the show -- his numbers are the only ones that have a fresh take on the material. Everyone is competent and even accomplished. But I don't see this as a radical new approach to the tale.

[ken8631]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 2:07pm

Raul was excellent! Have ssen it twice, it's the only current play that my wife wants to see again....

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 4:23pm

Karen - Glad you and your son got to see Raul. He really is a standout in this show. I am one of those Sondheim freaks and I love this score but Raul gives his songs tremedous additional subtlety. I'm heading back for a third time next week, and I am as excited as if it were opening night! (wish I had seen the OBC but very happy to have the chance to see this cast now.)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/12/07 at 4:31pm

I'm glad to hear he lived up to your expectations, it seems! From what I understand, Bradley hadn't rehearsed with the full cast before he went on when you saw him, which would explain your observations.

I'm heading back there this week with my mother, who hasn't seen it in a year. It'll be interesting to see what she thinks of how much it's changed in the time gone by. I can't believe a year has passed since I first saw it! Yikes.