I was there for this and didn’t realize Jenn was on as Joanne until they made the announcement right at curtain. The playbill insert still said Patti. Kathryn Allison was Sarah and even with her own big shoes to fill she was really great.
This was my second time, I saw it back in previews with the full cast, so it was really exciting to hear about Jenn (who I loved as Sarah, honestly more than I liked Patti as Joanne even though she was amazing). To start with the big part, Jenn’s Ladies Who Lunch was honestly what I was expecting from Patti going in the first time. It felt like it had more build and ended a little more powerfully. Less of the little things that made Patti really embody the character and moment, but she still fit it well. I guess I’d say she had bigger actions at specific points that made it work rather than having it be a more subtle constant part of the performance. Throughout the whole show she had all these moments with her expressions and deliveries that were really great. From The Little Things You Do Together on I was definitely sold on her as Joanne. It was really cool to see her in a bigger role like this after liking her so much as Sarah and only increased my appreciation for her first performance.
I’m not the most observant or well versed in making comments on stuff like this (especially since this is the only production of Company I’ve seen), but thought I’d share my thoughts since I was there.
Updated On: 2/26/22 at 06:04 PM