My "Company" review 10/31

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 10/31/06 at 11:50pm

OK first a couple of things:

1. Lauren Molina and Manuel Feliciano came in to show their friend a seat and then left

2. I got to talk to Jen Pfitsch's grandparents. They were wonderful and sooooo excited for her. I think her father was there too.

3. One of the lights on the mezz burst and 2 small flames came right down on the orchestra right as the cast was taking their bows. I think it was Michael Bennett but who knows.

OK now to the show. It was BRILLIANT!! I absolutely loved it. The concept totally works with this show. It is as if this is the way it should have always been done.

It looks like it is gonna be Ebersole and Esperza winning the lead Tonys this year. Raul was AMAZING! I have to admit I have never been a huge fan of his. I liked him and saw him in a bunch of stuff but he SHINES here!! This is his moment. I kept saying to myself "I will not fall in love with Esperza. I will not do it". Well by the end of the show I wanted to maul him!! Sooooooo hot!

Barbara Walsh was great as Joanne. I was a little bit scared to see her after hearing some not so glowing reviews of her. She was everything a good Joanne should be...funny, sexy and cold. As a son of a "lady who lunches" I can tell you this woman nails it!! My mother has more friends like this than I care to admit. Anyone else think she looks like Glenn Close? "Ladies Who Lunch" was perfectly done. I actually like that the audience has no room for applause at the end of the number. It makes it a hell of a lot sadder. You're just staring at her at the piano thinking "God this woman is miserable".

The other stand out of the night was Jane Pfitsch!! She got a bigger ovation than Raul!! I was a bit shocked. The audience went nuts after her "Not Getting Married". It is such a shame she wont open the show. I have not seen Heather Laws so I can't truly judge but I will say this, Heather better be damn good cause if she is not Brantley and the rest of them will certainly evoke Janes name. She was a delight!! Luvtheemcee (who was also there tonight) was correct in saying this is Rauls show. It truly is. The only time the show is stolen from him is when Ms. Pfitsch is on the stage. I told Janes granmother "Don't worry. This is a revival of a VERY popular Sondheim show. His legions of worshippers will be talking about the fact that Jane was in the show during previews cause Heather gave birth FOREVER!!"

I cannot rave more about this show. The book is as solid as ever and 35 years later still completely relevant. The score is ....well...F*cking mind blowing!!

PS. Dont want to give things away but little things I noticed and loved were:

1. The cast standing suddenly when Robert is asked if he ever had a gay moment.

2. The way they did Side by Side by Side!!! Loved it!!

OK that's all. Any specific questions will be answered.

Night

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:00am

The light that burst, was it from the rear mezz? Or front mezz?

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:06am

It was directly above the orchestra.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:07am

What did you feel about the absence of dancing in this production.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 12:12am

I told Janes granmother "Don't worry. This is a revival of a VERY popular Sondheim show. His legions of worshippers will be talking about the fact that Jane was in the show during previews cause Heather gave birth FOREVER!!"

Oh, definitely. In the year 2060, Margo's grandson will be posting factoids like this on BroadwayUniverse.com. At first I was glad I'd be seeing Heather again because I loved her, but now I'm bummed that I'll miss Jane since everyone is gushing about her.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 1:21am

Esparza.

And I'm pissed that he didn't get like, a wild standing ovation. Because... hello?

Heather Laws is even better. Not that Jane wasn't FABULOUS, but Heather's twice that.

Lauren and Manoel saw the show. Diana DiMarzio and Ben Eakeley were also there.

[AJ1985]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:20am

How much does Raoul undress in the scene with April?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:24am

He spells it without the o, and he doesn't. He like, takes her jacket off and unbuttons his own. There's no actual bed, so everything is implied minus the nudity.

[BroadwayChica]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 6:41am

For what it's worth, Raul did get a mad standing ovation after the first preview.

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 8:52am

Glad to hear others are enjoying the excellent show and excellent performances. Definitely a Tony worthy performance by Raul!

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 8:57am

Oh my god, this show is so good! Everyone go see it now because it really is THAT INCREDIBLE!

OK, I'm done gushing. For now.

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 9:20am

So far it's the best I've seen this season. Last time I said that was after seeing "Jersey Boys".....

Left the theatre saying - that was REALLY good!

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 10:32am

Heather Laws is even better. Not that Jane wasn't FABULOUS, but Heather's twice that.

See three different people last night told me Jane was better. I need to see Heather.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:45pm

I saw the original 5 times. I was 14 and dragged everyone I knew back to see it with me. It changed my life.

[snl89]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 3:53pm

eeee this review is def making my inner Raul fangirl come out again!! RAULLL!!! I MUST see this show... MUST... even though I know nothing about it :P lol

and um, yeah, he needs to win the tony because... how has he NOT already with how amazing he is? really!
(although... off broadway isnt included in the tonys,is it? so that explains the not winning for ttB lol)

great review by the way, thank you for it!

[Ciaron McCarthy]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 4:08pm

I saw the original 5 times.

I envy you. My father reviewed the original. He has often said that the first 5 minutes of the opening night of "Company" were the most exciting he had ever seen. He still says nothing compares to it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/1/06 at 5:00pm

There are also a bunch more reviews buried in this thread:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=915376&dt=223