re: In comes COMPANY.... — Page 3
#52
Posted: 10/30/06 at 10:52pm
Yes 
I recognize the addiction to being alive.
#53
Posted: 10/30/06 at 10:53pm
I MUST HEAR THOUGHTS.
serisouly, I realize it's ridiculous to think that anyone who went would be at a computer by now, but still.
serisouly, I realize it's ridiculous to think that anyone who went would be at a computer by now, but still.
"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
#55
Posted: 10/30/06 at 10:55pm
::whips out tried and true paper bag::
"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
#56
Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:16pm
It's 11:15. What's going on?
"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife
#57
Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:17pm
I knowwwww.
"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
#58
Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:21pm
Just got back. I'm tired. It's GREAT!!! Raul is PERFECT for the part, nice prolonged ovation after his last song, and well-deserved standing O. Rest of cast also great. Wife wanted to know if we should just give Raul his Tony now....
LOVED IT! Don't change a thing! We'll be going again.
LOVED IT! Don't change a thing! We'll be going again.
#59
Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:23pm
YAYYYYYYYYYY!
"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
#60
Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:28pm
You will NOT be dissapointed!
Raul finally gets his name above the title and deserves it!
Th gal who played Sarah also got some extra applause at the end.... Her Broadway debut... I see in the program she is only in until Nov 12....
Raul finally gets his name above the title and deserves it!
Th gal who played Sarah also got some extra applause at the end.... Her Broadway debut... I see in the program she is only in until Nov 12....
#61
Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:35pm
Do you mean the one who played Amy? That would've been Heather Laws' understudy, and Heather returns the 13th. The actress playing Sarah shouldn't be going anywhere...
Congrats, Raul! The critics had better absolutely be drooling over him.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
Congrats, Raul! The critics had better absolutely be drooling over him.
#62
Posted: 10/30/06 at 11:43pm
I got Opening Night tix and I could not be any more excited
#63
Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:00am
Great report, ken8631! I'm glad that the show seems to be getting such a positive response. Of course, I'm not too surprised that this is the case.
I'm slightly amused to see that multiple posters have tickets for Dec. 9th, as that's my birthday...maybe I should ask my family to forgo presents this year and just get me tickets and passage to NY. (Kidding.)
I'm slightly amused to see that multiple posters have tickets for Dec. 9th, as that's my birthday...maybe I should ask my family to forgo presents this year and just get me tickets and passage to NY. (Kidding.)
#64
Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:08am
I just got back as well.
I really enjoyed it, although not nearly as enthusiastically as Ken. There are still some points that need to be tightened up, but that is what previews are for.
Raul was extremely good, BEING ALIVE was a perfect moment and the best execution of the Doyle concept. His voice was spot on, and I loved his detached, though supportive understanded portrayal
"Amy" was great, I hope Heather Laws is at least as good. The rest of the couples all had their moments but sometimes the energy was down, and the show started to drag.
Barbara Walsh was a pleasant surprise, I was expecting to dislike her and didn't.
Broadway Chica, it was great to see you again!
I really enjoyed it, although not nearly as enthusiastically as Ken. There are still some points that need to be tightened up, but that is what previews are for.
Raul was extremely good, BEING ALIVE was a perfect moment and the best execution of the Doyle concept. His voice was spot on, and I loved his detached, though supportive understanded portrayal
"Amy" was great, I hope Heather Laws is at least as good. The rest of the couples all had their moments but sometimes the energy was down, and the show started to drag.
Barbara Walsh was a pleasant surprise, I was expecting to dislike her and didn't.
Broadway Chica, it was great to see you again!
I stand corrected, you are as vapid as they say.
Updated On: 10/31/06 at 12:08 AM
#65
Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:13am
Yes, sorry - it was Amy....
Have never seen Company before, so went in knowing nothing about it. Loved it though!!! Didn't think it dragged at all, and the musician/performers worked even better than in Sweeney Todd....
Raul's voice was perfect (as was his acting!)....
Have never seen Company before, so went in knowing nothing about it. Loved it though!!! Didn't think it dragged at all, and the musician/performers worked even better than in Sweeney Todd....
Raul's voice was perfect (as was his acting!)....
Updated On: 10/31/06 at 12:13 AM
#66
Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:19am
For me there were moments when the actor musician concept really worked, and moments when it didn't.
I know the show is going to be constantly compared to Sweeney Todd and that is inevitable (On the subway ride home I was already doing that) I do hope that both shows will at least be given the chance to stand on their own. Company is very good and very entertaining, and the concept serves it well. (I would still say, 'Most of the time.')
My opinion on the comparison: At this point, the actor-musician concept and the pacing of the show were much stronger in ST, for me.
ETA: I agree completely about Esparza, his voice was quite excellent and his acting was very strong.
I know the show is going to be constantly compared to Sweeney Todd and that is inevitable (On the subway ride home I was already doing that) I do hope that both shows will at least be given the chance to stand on their own. Company is very good and very entertaining, and the concept serves it well. (I would still say, 'Most of the time.')
My opinion on the comparison: At this point, the actor-musician concept and the pacing of the show were much stronger in ST, for me.
ETA: I agree completely about Esparza, his voice was quite excellent and his acting was very strong.
I stand corrected, you are as vapid as they say.
Updated On: 10/31/06 at 12:19 AM
#67
Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:29am
Yessss. Congrats to Raul and the entire cast! 
"Blow out the candles, Robert, and make a wish. Want something. Want something."
Wishes come true, not free.
Wishes come true, not free.
#68
Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:36am
I am like you ken8631, I do not know much about the show and have not heard the OBCR. I will take everyone's review and then when I see it in December will formulate my own opinion. Keep the reviews coming.
#69
Posted: 10/31/06 at 12:58am
Penguin, it was great to see you, too. There were a couple of BWWers in our row :)
I agree with your overall sentiments, although I have to say that in many ways, the actor/musician conceit worked better for Company (even though, as a whole, I found that it wasn't as seamless as Sweeney. Def. could use some tweaking). Perhaps because Company is itself a pretty conceptual piece, there's no real disruption at play (or rather, the musical always has disruptive elements, since it's not a linear story, and pretty much lacks a plot to being with - all of which lends itself to Doyle's conceptual vision). The way the scenes play out is much more conventional - while all the actors are onstage all the time, characters come in and out of scenes. And the scenery is anything but distracting - it's quite easy to visualize the NYC apartments these characters habitate in. The orchestrations are great, although at times some instruments were too low (but that could be the fault of being in the very last row of rear mezz)
Emcee will be happy to know that I loved Raul Esparza. He delivers a brilliant performance. Although the show as a whole isn't perfect, and does indeed need some tweaking (I wasn't too fond of "You could drive a person crazy"), Raul is pitch perfect. he has incredible stage presence. He's funny, heartbreaking, charming as hell. And by the end of "Being Alive", he has become a bonafide star. Honestly, I couldn't imagine the critics doing anything but shower him with praise.
I agree about "Amy" - she was fantastic. Frantic, full of energy, hilarious. Scene stealer if there ever was one. I hope Heather's at least as good as she was.
The rest of the cast was good, although I'm a bit iffy about Barbara Walsh. She had a different take on Joanne than I've ever seen, and I'm not 100% sure if I liked it or not.
And anyone worried about this being too similar to Sweeney shouldn't be. These are two completely different shows, and work in very different ways. In many ways, Company is more approachable to a public unfamiliar with the source material - there's nothing that radical about this staging, since, again, Company itself IS pretty conceptual. Whereas Sweeney is a linear story with key plot points that were arguably difficult to follow with Doyle's staging.
I doubt there'll be much "So..wait, what DOES that big white pole represent?" discussion like there was "What the HELL is up with the white coffin?!"
Anyway, in short, I was very pleased with this production ofCompany, which is at times absolutely BRILLIANT, and would love to see it again once it opens. I highly recommend it.
I agree with your overall sentiments, although I have to say that in many ways, the actor/musician conceit worked better for Company (even though, as a whole, I found that it wasn't as seamless as Sweeney. Def. could use some tweaking). Perhaps because Company is itself a pretty conceptual piece, there's no real disruption at play (or rather, the musical always has disruptive elements, since it's not a linear story, and pretty much lacks a plot to being with - all of which lends itself to Doyle's conceptual vision). The way the scenes play out is much more conventional - while all the actors are onstage all the time, characters come in and out of scenes. And the scenery is anything but distracting - it's quite easy to visualize the NYC apartments these characters habitate in. The orchestrations are great, although at times some instruments were too low (but that could be the fault of being in the very last row of rear mezz)
Emcee will be happy to know that I loved Raul Esparza. He delivers a brilliant performance. Although the show as a whole isn't perfect, and does indeed need some tweaking (I wasn't too fond of "You could drive a person crazy"), Raul is pitch perfect. he has incredible stage presence. He's funny, heartbreaking, charming as hell. And by the end of "Being Alive", he has become a bonafide star. Honestly, I couldn't imagine the critics doing anything but shower him with praise.
I agree about "Amy" - she was fantastic. Frantic, full of energy, hilarious. Scene stealer if there ever was one. I hope Heather's at least as good as she was.
The rest of the cast was good, although I'm a bit iffy about Barbara Walsh. She had a different take on Joanne than I've ever seen, and I'm not 100% sure if I liked it or not.
And anyone worried about this being too similar to Sweeney shouldn't be. These are two completely different shows, and work in very different ways. In many ways, Company is more approachable to a public unfamiliar with the source material - there's nothing that radical about this staging, since, again, Company itself IS pretty conceptual. Whereas Sweeney is a linear story with key plot points that were arguably difficult to follow with Doyle's staging.
I doubt there'll be much "So..wait, what DOES that big white pole represent?" discussion like there was "What the HELL is up with the white coffin?!"
Anyway, in short, I was very pleased with this production ofCompany, which is at times absolutely BRILLIANT, and would love to see it again once it opens. I highly recommend it.
Updated On: 10/31/06 at 12:58 AM
#70
Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:04am
As for more superficial things:
They're selling t-shirts, with the logo in front (just the plain logo, without the pics). On the back it says "You could drive a person crazy". They also have baseball caps with the logo, and the back says "Does anyone still wear a hat?"
I thought they were adorable.
They're selling t-shirts, with the logo in front (just the plain logo, without the pics). On the back it says "You could drive a person crazy". They also have baseball caps with the logo, and the back says "Does anyone still wear a hat?"
I thought they were adorable.
#71
Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:05am
Whew. I was there also. got last row, rear mezz. haha. 36 dollars, can't beat it though.
It was fabulous!! Don't mind my spelling and grammar, I'm extremely tired.
I don't know where to begin. The audience was VERY enthused. They were fantastic. The title song received thunderous applause and cheers, as did several other numbers.
I heard from a few people there were a few noticable changes from Cincinatti. In YOU COULD DRIVE A PERSON CRAZY, the three girls play the saxaphone, and the "doo, doo's" are done on the sax, they don't sing them. I heard it was different out of town. It was great.
Also Marta sings ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE entirely on the piano, where I heard out of town, she moved around the stage.
There were very little mistakes. Barbara dropped her triangle at one point. And there was probally one or two line line flubs. The orchestrations were actually great. I was impressed. I wasn't dissapointed, as I expected to be. They weren't entirely different from what we're used to. Though I feel there were a few sloppy points with the on stage cast orchestra. It could be neater. Poor Kathy has absolutely nothing to do without TICK TOCK. But it's like that for all productions of Company these days.
The cast was great. Walsh was a great Joanne. She channeled Stritch slightly. My only problem was, Doyle didn't give the audience the opportunity to applaud for LADIES WHO LUNCH, which can be a true show stopper. Whereas several other numbers had time for applause. Raul was stunning. I don't know what to say. Right after BEING ALIVE, my mom who had no idea who he was, said.. "he has to win a Tony for this."
I passed John Doyle in mezz stairwell. I was too scared to say anything. He watched the show from the rear mezz. I missed Sondheim dart out of the theater. I heard someone asked for an autograph, but he said "no" - and rushed away. But he's Sondheim, a genius, and he can do anything. Raul made us wait quite a while. But he was so sweet. So nice. Got a great pic with him.
I am extremely tired. I don't know what else to say. I liked it better than the Sweeney revival I think.
MAJOR mistake though. In the lobby, they have "Company - a NEW musical." I was pissed. that was so wrong.
oh well, i need sleep. I will try to write more when I'm coherent tomorrow.
ps. talking to old ladies who saw the original productions of Company, Follies, Chicago etc = love.
It was fabulous!! Don't mind my spelling and grammar, I'm extremely tired.
I don't know where to begin. The audience was VERY enthused. They were fantastic. The title song received thunderous applause and cheers, as did several other numbers.
I heard from a few people there were a few noticable changes from Cincinatti. In YOU COULD DRIVE A PERSON CRAZY, the three girls play the saxaphone, and the "doo, doo's" are done on the sax, they don't sing them. I heard it was different out of town. It was great.
Also Marta sings ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE entirely on the piano, where I heard out of town, she moved around the stage.
There were very little mistakes. Barbara dropped her triangle at one point. And there was probally one or two line line flubs. The orchestrations were actually great. I was impressed. I wasn't dissapointed, as I expected to be. They weren't entirely different from what we're used to. Though I feel there were a few sloppy points with the on stage cast orchestra. It could be neater. Poor Kathy has absolutely nothing to do without TICK TOCK. But it's like that for all productions of Company these days.
The cast was great. Walsh was a great Joanne. She channeled Stritch slightly. My only problem was, Doyle didn't give the audience the opportunity to applaud for LADIES WHO LUNCH, which can be a true show stopper. Whereas several other numbers had time for applause. Raul was stunning. I don't know what to say. Right after BEING ALIVE, my mom who had no idea who he was, said.. "he has to win a Tony for this."
I passed John Doyle in mezz stairwell. I was too scared to say anything. He watched the show from the rear mezz. I missed Sondheim dart out of the theater. I heard someone asked for an autograph, but he said "no" - and rushed away. But he's Sondheim, a genius, and he can do anything. Raul made us wait quite a while. But he was so sweet. So nice. Got a great pic with him.
I am extremely tired. I don't know what else to say. I liked it better than the Sweeney revival I think.
MAJOR mistake though. In the lobby, they have "Company - a NEW musical." I was pissed. that was so wrong.
oh well, i need sleep. I will try to write more when I'm coherent tomorrow.
ps. talking to old ladies who saw the original productions of Company, Follies, Chicago etc = love.
Updated On: 10/31/06 at 01:05 AM
#72
Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:15am
The cast was great. Walsh was a great Joanne. She channeled Stritch slightly. My only problem was, Doyle didn't give the audience the oppurtunity to applaud for LADIES WHO LUNCH, which can be a true show stopper. Whereas several other numbers had time for applause.
See, I felt that the number was purposely scaled down to make it less of a showstopper. I'm not sure if that's Walsh's choice as an actor, or Doyle's direction,or a combination of both...but it was VERY understated. Which surprised me. Because, as you say, it usually IS a true show stopper. And other numbers in this production are given the chance for a big applause break (which we didn't get in Sweeney). And truth be told, I'm not entirely sure whether or not I like this new, understated, melancholic, even, version of the song. There's a pause after the song is over, which could conceivably allow for applause. But the way it's staged, you just don't FEEL like applauding. Which may be the intent, but it's still a bizarre choice.
ETA: Yeah, she was definitely channeling Stritch. To her detriment, in my opinion.
See, I felt that the number was purposely scaled down to make it less of a showstopper. I'm not sure if that's Walsh's choice as an actor, or Doyle's direction,or a combination of both...but it was VERY understated. Which surprised me. Because, as you say, it usually IS a true show stopper. And other numbers in this production are given the chance for a big applause break (which we didn't get in Sweeney). And truth be told, I'm not entirely sure whether or not I like this new, understated, melancholic, even, version of the song. There's a pause after the song is over, which could conceivably allow for applause. But the way it's staged, you just don't FEEL like applauding. Which may be the intent, but it's still a bizarre choice.
ETA: Yeah, she was definitely channeling Stritch. To her detriment, in my opinion.
Updated On: 10/31/06 at 01:15 AM
#73
Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:27am
If Raul doesn't win, I'm... well, gonna slap a bitch.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
#74
Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:29am
Thank you for these reviews that are now making me salivate to get my ass over there and see it soon!
#75
Posted: 10/31/06 at 1:38am
Heather Laws' role is being played through November 12 by Jane Pfitsch. Pfitsch is not Laws' understudy. The standby (from Playbill) for Amy, Jenny and Susan is Jessica Wright. Pfitsch was very entertaining, but her pacing is too fast. I hope she slows down with additional rehearsals.
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