Emcee visits Cincinnati: John Doyle's COMPANY

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 12:18am

Greetings from Cincinnati. I posted this in one of the other Company threads, and then I decided I wanted to start one. So, yeah.

I'll start by saying that I loved the show, but I don't think I really believe it to be an absolute must-see; and I don't blame that on the production, but on the fact that while heartfelt and affecting, I wonder if this is truly one of Sondheim's best works, as a whole. The score is lovely, and the book is even not all that problematic, to me, but it seems almost somehow incomplete, the way it sort of just meanders around.

As far as the concept and the show, I think it definitely works. It doesn't do anything for the material, per se, and I think I find the actors-as-musicians a bit more distracting here at first than I did in Sweeney, but it stops being distracting after you get used to it. The only number where it really was much of an enhancer was in Side By Side -- seriously, a fun number. And some hardcore cymbal playing by Mr. Esparza. It works, but it's not imperative.

Someone on the boards expressed an interest in the lighting. It's simple. Lots of spotlighting. There are splashes of color in the lighting; mostly green and red. The set is even more minimal than Sweeney's set. The color scheme for the show, while a bit bland, is chic, and elegant, and pulls the show out of the 70's, almost completely. It could use more color, but this works, too. Quite well with the concept and the way its tone is played off, I think.

The show is hardly not funny, which I know some were worried about because of the nature of the production, but it's a very deadpan humor, which I loved. Lots of laughs, even though the jokes aren't totally overt.

The orchestrations are so much crisper and more modern than the OBC recording. Honestly, I like them better.

The cast is fine. The wives were more memorable than the husbands for me. They're all fine musicians, but I don't think the singing and acting talent was compromised for musical talent. Mention for Angel Desai, as Marta -- funny, spunky, spot-on. Barbara Walsh is... someone said interesting. She's not bad; I know some people here were concerned. She's just... well, very deadpan.

Raúl. Raúl, Raúl, Raúl. I think it was John Simon who said that he was "dizzingly gifted." There is not a thing this man can't do. Sings, dances, acts, plays instruments, and makes it all look so easy in a hugely touching performance. His Bobby has his emotions on his sleeve; happy, but hurting, surrounded by friends, yet lonely. And he displays it all with sincerity. He's charming, sarcastic, lovable, charismatic and sexy as all hell. His deliveries are perfect, and I especially loved the scene just before Barcelona. He is in absolutely astounding voice; Being Alive tore that house down. Three minutes I'll never forget, that's for sure. Major, major snaps for him. He's so commanding, breathtaking, and he is reason to see this. He looks great, he sounds great, and he owns that role.

Updated On: 3/19/06 at 12:18 AM

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 12:21am

I agree with you about the show being kind of incomplete...

Like, in comaprison to all other Sondheim shows, the thread of sheer brilliance is missing

I wish I could see it though Updated On: 3/18/06 at 12:21 AM

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 12:40am

Thanks for the review! I love Raul, and I am infact listening to Taboo right now.

[timote316]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 12:47am

I wish I could see this, too.

And I whole heartedly agree that Company just feels incomplete. I've seen a few productions of it, and had the same feeling.

Great review, as usual!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 2:54am

What instrument does Walsh play Em?

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 3:01am

I disagree on your assertion of Company as a whole, which I find to be pretty much perfect, and definitely one of Sondheim's best shows. I do know what you mean, but I think Company is one of those shows that's meant to feel incomplete (much like life, there's no real ending. No real resolutions. No real...anything)

But, gah, great review. I really would kill to see this!!!

[sicetergo]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 6:46am

I agree about COMPANY being complete and it's certainly one of Sondheim's finest works. I've been in it several times and find it one of the most satisfying shows, I've ever been in. It doesn't have a neat resolution but that's really the point of the show, it's a few seconds in a man's mind as he comes to a realization about his life...quite brilliant, but it's not going to give you and it shouldn't give you a pat conclusion as really the end of COMPANY is a beginning.
Updated On: 3/18/06 at 06:46 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 6:54am

I am thrilled to hear that Raúl continues to amaze. I love this man!

Will someone *please* give him a Tony?

Updated On: 3/18/06 at 06:54 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 7:52am

Thanks Emcee and I'll give him a Tony.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 8:03am

As much as I adore COMPANY (I've seen it tons of times and have been in it twice), I think it's one of Sondheim's weaker scores. Lots of chirpy repetitiveness.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 9:09am

BroadwayChica and sicetergo, I definitely see what you're saying, and I do think you're right in that it's meant to be that way as a reflection of life. I think a lot of the show is highly metaphorical, which is something I liked about it a lot. It just doesn't seem like your typical "deep" Sondheim show, maybe?

Bobby, she plays... um, the triangle.

Rauuuuuul. So good. Being Alive honestly made my year. He plays piano for like half the song; beaaaautiful.

Updated On: 3/18/06 at 09:09 AM

[sicetergo]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 9:23am

"Lots of chirpy repetitiveness. " With the exception of one motif - I'd hardly call it that...15/16 numbers and with the exception of the COMPANY motif not one of them repeated..

[insomniak]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 11:00am

"hardcore cymbal playing by Mr. Esparza"

Best phrase ever.


I'm glad you enjoyed it. I still wish I could go, though. Do you think it's good enough to move to broadway?

[sally1112]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 11:14am

Thank you for your thoughts!

I bought tickets earlier this week and can't wait to go!!

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 11:31am

I'm glad that you had a great time and that you enjoyed it. I know you've been looking forward to this for a long time.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 11:33am

"There is not a thing this man can't do."

Can he fly around the world so fast that it reverses its rotational direction? Hmmm, I thought not.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 11:54am

I had a feeling she'd be playing a triangle, for some weird reason.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 12:01pm

Odd that people on this thread are assailing Company for some of the things that are and were most revolutionary about it.

Yes, it's episodic and fragmented. Deliberately so. After the birthday party that opens the show, two more birthday parties take place. Are they the same birthday party, played out three different times? What exactly is happening at the end of the show? The show is impressionistic in form, giving you a story about a man in crisis with himself, taking place in some sort of limbo, initiated by the onset of his 35th birthday. You want a neat tidy plot? A firm answer of where Bobby is going when he sings "Being Alive" and leaves the married couples behind at the end of the show?

Because the authors refuse to tie things up neatly with a bow doesn't mean they have failed in their writing. The show is designed to conjure up all of the terrors and isolation of living in New York City and trying to find some sort of connection with another human being, but it does so in episodic, non-linear, non-realistic fashion. As such, it has a power to amuse, disturb and provoke like very few shows do, and so much of it will rattle around in your brain for years to come.

I also have to say, I think Jonathan Tunick's original orchestrations are the finest of his estimable career (with his work for Follies and Promises Promises on the exact same level). I don't think he ever wrote better than in that period from 1968-1972. They may sound dated on the original cast recording, what with that Hammond organ and studio reverb and all, but hear them live, they will blow you out of your seat.

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 12:32pm

I can't wait to see this April 2! And I get to see Julia in Wicked in an hour and a half :)

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 2:02pm

I agree with Smaxie. The original orchestrations are quite amazing.

I honestly don't want to hear the new orchestrations for this production. The originals are so stunning. Even when they have been toned down for revivals - they aren't as good. I can't imagine how they would sound in this production.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 2:16pm

Smaxie,

I never once said it wasn't a revolutonary show, but just because it is, doesn't mean you have to like it.

I certainly appreciate COMPANY for what it is, but I am a far cry from calling it a good show.

[sicetergo]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 2:30pm

"I certainly appreciate COMPANY for what it is, but I am a far cry from calling it a good show."

Not sure what you'd compare it to - but I'd certainly put it in the top ten of the last thirty or so years.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 2:54pm

Thesbijean, I think you are misunderstanding my post.

I think the show's importance as a revolutionary show is indisputable, even among the show's detractors. And no, a show's importance in the history of musical theatre doesn't mean one has to automatically like it.

But my response was as a result of reading you calling Company an "incomplete" work. My point is that Company's fragmentary structure and ambiguous resolution are very much a part of its intent. I think you are using the authors' objective against them.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 2:58pm

I didn't mean structurally incomplete, I meant it more in an overall musical sense, there is just something missing from it that I do find in Sweeney, Follies, Night Music, Assasins, Pacific Overtures, Into the Woods etc. There isn't really a word for it, it's just whenever I see it, I just feel that some element that his other shows have is not present

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 3:29pm

I can't believe this is happeneing in my state (Raul is here in a show!!) and I didn't know about it.

Can someone PM me a link or info about dates, etc.? I"m hopeing I didn't miss it cause I know of a few more glas that wouldn't miss this for hte world...