I had quibbles with the revival but liked it a lot overall. The original production, though, and that cast, are still the gold standard for me. And yes, that cast album is up there with the greats, IMO.
My favorite one is the 2006 John Doyle revival, the minimalism puts the focus on the performances and on multiple rewatches I think is the best all around, although I've always thought all broadway productions have had great casts (pending the 1995 one).
The 2006 has a peculiar way to be in their version of the characters that I like a lot: Sarah's more passive-agressive yet subtle and calm demeanor, Susan's accent (lol), a more strong focus on the power dynamics of David over Jenny, Amy's full on neuroticism and Paul's always big almost mocking smile, and Bobby's playful and charming mannerisms as a kind of defensive mechanism (love the bullet-fast way Raúl delivers some of his lines).
Every revival I have seen, plus a couple of excellent regional productions, do not come up to the original production. Second favorite was the recent Broadway revival.
Special about the original:
— Best overall cast (whether Jones or Kert)
— Best (absolutely great) set by Ming Cho Lee
— Great Harold Prince direction
— It was the first time hearing That incredible score.
Finally, IMO there was no perfect version, because George Furth’s book is not great.
I’m also partial to the 2006 cast (though I listen to the OBC more). The really cold, arch, brittle tone feels like a precursor to what we think of as the default premium TV dramedy tone today; Raul and the gang have big Succession vibes.
lapinitsa said: "I totally agree with you, Jarethan, and you as well, Pethian, but I do believe the original brilliant set was by Boris Aronson.
Absolutely. How could I have gotten that wrong!?! Now I am going to rack my brain trying to remember which Ming Cho Lee set was so amazing (and presumably modern) that I associated him with Company.
I saw the Katrina Lenk revival and it was amazing! It's the only version I have ever seen live, but I thought it was absolutely incredible - 15/10. If you have the chance to see the tour, I hope you get to go! I'm going out of my way to make sure I see the tour when it comes near (four hours away) me next year.