re: In comes COMPANY....- Page 13
re: In comes COMPANY....
#300re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/21/06 at 3:44am
I was yet another member of this board who saw this show on Saturday evening. As a matter of fact, "Company" was my 13th show in 13 days of seeing theatre between New York and London.
My first and only exposure to this musical was a production performed at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts by the second year students during my first year there back in 1978. I purchased the album after seeing it and have listened to that recording over the years. A number of months back I purchased the documentary on the recording of that album and it was great to go behind the scenes of this musical that I had enjoyed listening to these many years.
Of the 13 shows that I saw, only one had really disappointed me and that show was definitely not this one. "Company" lived up to what I expected it to be. I was not at all bothered by the actors playing instruments. As a matter of fact it was not something that occupied my mind that much during the musical. I wondered afterward if maybe it was because it was something to which I had become accustomed, after seeing the same thing done in "Sweeney Todd", or was it that it was more of a natural fit in this production? I have only great admiration for those performers who did what was quite a difficult job and will not dismiss that out of hand as a gimmick. After all it's Sondheim's brilliant music that they had to play, which can be difficult for the most seasoned musicians. I thought they did a great job playing it and making that playing look effortless.
What I had not remembered from seeing this musical, almost thirty years ago, was a lot of the crisp dialogue. It was good to here the words of George Furth coupled with the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and to remember that there is some brilliant writing contained in this piece.
The comparison to "Sweeney Todd" is inevitable because of the actors playing instruments. I feel, however, that it's difficult to compare these works based on that aspect alone. One can say that the instrument thing worked better in one show than in the other, but, outside of just that element, these are quite different musicals. I enjoyed "Company" for what it is but, in my opinion, it's no "Sweeney Todd", which is one of the most brilliant musicals ever written, so it's not really a good comparison to make.
My last experience watching Raúl Esparza on stage was in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". I was not very impressed with that show and therefore kind of dismissed his performance. I was very impressed with his performance on Saturday night. His renditions of both 'Marry Me A Little' (don't know why this song was ever cut from the original) and 'Being Alive' were brilliant. I think that it was a pretty even cast and that the people who stood out did so mainly because their characters are written to stand out more than others like 'Joanne' (Barbara Walsh) and Amy (Heather Laws). I did not feel that there were any weak performances in this production.
I enjoyed my evening at the theatre. Did I see one of the greatest musical ever written? No. I did however see a show that is so much better than a number of musicals presently playing on Broadway, including the Tony Winning Best Musical "Spamalot" and that disappointment up on 53rd street called "A Color Purple".
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
#301re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/24/06 at 11:56pmOkay. I revisited this tonight, this time with my family, and I just have to say, it blew me away all over again. It was my first time seeing Heather Laws, and I thought she was wonderful. "(Not) Getting Married Today" got a huge ovation. I thought Ms. Walsh was great as Joanne, though I admittedly have never had anyone to compare her to. Raul's performance managed to be stronger this time around. I think the change in the Side by Side by Side staging is good and much cleaner. The only thing I'm not sure about is the change in the April/Bobby scene. I just don't think the new staging of their kiss is as great, though that's really more nitpicky, and had I not already seen the show, it's not a scene I would have had any real problem with. And I'll say it again: as someone who felt somewhat alienated by the OBCR of Company, the score has never sounded better to my ears. Mary Mitchell Campbell's reorchestration is stunning. And for everyone who was upset by the lack of 'swell' during "Being Alive", I urge you to buy the recording when it comes out, because the swell is definitely there. It is SUCH a beautiful production.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#302re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:02am
The only thing I'm not sure about is the change in the April/Bobby scene.
The last time I saw the show was the day after it froze, but I couldn't tell if I was nuts or if the scene had changed yet *again* from the time prior that I had seen it. How was it done tonight?
#303re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:17amThe whole thing on the piano bench. Maybe it is for selfish fangirly reasons, but I really did prefer it when they were there and then on the other side of the piano. And I really thought it was more effective.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#304re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:20amThey sit down for the whole thing? I remember it being really racy at first, up against the piano, then they sat down on the bench, but at the end they still came around the other side to "go to sleep" and "wake up" the next morning. I like it with some motion, I think. I wonder if it changed again. Heh.
#305re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:22amNot sitting really, I guess it's more 'at' the piano bench area. It's still hot though, and it works this way. And they do end up on the other side of the piano for Barcelona.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#306re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:24amOkay, sounds the same, then. But yeah, totally different from the first time you went. :)
#307re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:25amAm I going to hell for missing it the way it was?
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#308re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:27am
If you are, I'm joining you.
I don't miss it the way it was all that much because I think the new way makes a lot more sense, but do I miss it a little because... let's face it, I have hormones.
#309re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:31am
Great, now I've convinced everyone I am a rabid fangirl.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#310re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:33amOh, I almost forgot, I was much more impressed with the supporting men this time around. Fred Rose grew on me especially.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#311re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:35amHe's really good. And CUTE, too! I still find the women more engaging than the men, but I think it's inherent in the writing for that to happen. They have much better material.
#312re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:38am
He is adorable. Last time I don't thinl he was having a great night, but tonight he was on. And we had a funny Cello discussion. I always love a cellist.
I agree about the mens' material in the show, although I think they're doing a great job with it, especially Sorry-Grateful
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#313re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:41am
That's one of my favorite songs, but I love the staging for Have I Got a Girl For You. And yeah, they're all definitely talented, I didn't mean to imply I thought they weren't. 
#314re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:43amHave I Got a Girl For You is such a strange song, but so so funny here. I don't have anything else to judge from, but it seems like it'd be pretty easy to just do really badly.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
Luscious
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#315re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 8:14amAny opinions on the "gay" dialogue between Bobby and Paul that's been included in this production? Rumor has it that Sondheim never cared for it. I liked it. It adds a layered dimension to the character of Paul and to his relationship with Bobby. I also liked that when asked if he has ever had a homosexual experience as an adult, Bobby answers "yes" without hesitation, but claims not to be gay, and dismisses Paul's advances. In my opinion, this clears up any speculation to the contrary that I've heard bandied about since the original production.
#316re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 9:18am
Errrr...
I've played Paul...and it's not Paul who makes a pass at Bobby. He's much too obsessed with Amy. :)
I believe you're referring to David.
"Y'all have a GRAND day now"
Luvinbroadway
Leading Actor Joined: 7/18/03
#317re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 9:53am
3 quick questions..they amy have been discussed but there are already so many threads it is hard to search them all:
1) Do Heather Laws and Jane Pfitsch alternate as Amy?
2) Was the "gay exprience scene" in any other major production?
3) Why does Raul have a dresser listed in the program?! One suit!!! Maybe that is why seats are $111.25!!! But not a bad job!
#318re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 10:01am
"I was sitting in the fourth row, center orchestra (great seats!) and after intermission, the entire third row (with the exception of the first two seats on the left and right aisle) didn't return for the second act. Don't know what that was all about."
I was in that third row. When I arrived I noticed that my seats had been taken. There were some young girls sitting there and in a number of the other seats beside them. They asked if we would not mind sitting on the aisle because they were a family and they wanted to sit together. We said okay. At one point one of very young girls called over to her mother (sitting in the middle of the row) and asked if they were seeing a play or a musical. It was obvious this group had no idea what they came to see. The girls talked on they cell phones up until the beginning of the show and about ten minutes into the show two of them were sleeping. It did not surprise me that they all left during the intermission. I think that they came to the wrong show to begin with.
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
Updated On: 11/25/06 at 10:01 AM
#319re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 11:48am
"The gay scene" is between Bobby and Peter, not Paul. :)
Considering the front page of the Arts and Leisure section of the Times, what an... interesting day to bring this up.
Luvinbroadway:
1. No, Jane played the role until Heather was ready to return, which she has done. She plays the role full-time time now.
2. It was in Mendes' recent London production, I believe.
3. Because that's protocol, no?
#320re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 11:55am
It's amazing of Heather to be performing this soon.
I think the gay scene works well. I've heard people complain about the pacing of the book scenes, but I never felt like they were really dragging. The April/Bobby scene has definitley picked up the pace though. That was the only one that I could really notice the difference.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
#321re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 12:03pm
I do believe we have arrived at press weekend. :)
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/stage/am-company26,0,3551791.story?coll=ny-theater-headlines
Luscious
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#322re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/25/06 at 3:10pm
My bad. You're right, of course. The scene is between Peter (not Paul) and Bobby. And I thought it worked well. I was glad it was included in this production. But does it clear things up in regard to Bobby's sexuality, or does it add yet another level of speculation? I think it can be argued that when Bobby decides that he wants to make a commitment and have a relationship, warts and all; the good with the bad; essentially having what his friends have, but NOT the way they have it, he could be deciding to pursue a gay lifestyle and relationship. At the very least, I think it's open to interpretation, and in light of today's New York Times article certainly interesting in relation to the show, Raul's character, and the creative decision to include the scene in this production.
#323re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:41pm
Saw the show again today. Still amazing, still affected me as much as it did the first time. Raul was especially "on" today, crying during Being Alive. It's a show that I feel is just going to get better everytime I see it. Raul said it best himself when I talked to him afterwards - that it has gotten so much deeper, and will continue to.
I have a general question about the student rush, because I'm really confused about it. The first time I saw it, everyone who rushed was front row. Today, it was only me and my friend on the side in BB... I could even spot the others. I know a girl who was put in the box too. So is it basically best available?
Someone needs to tell Talkin' Broadway that they DO do rush on weekends, too...
#324re: In comes COMPANY....
Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:47pmI'm wondering if they won't begin to adhere to the printed rush policy after opening? That happens sometimes.
Videos