Company

Just saw it in Herndon, VA; a small but enthusiastic audience. Masterful stage film enhanced by the use of the original orchestrations from the seventies plus an appropriate inclusion of "Marry me a little". "Getting married today" brings down the house while "Another hundred people" received only a warm ovation even though Anika Noni Rose performed it brilliantly. Stephen Colbert shines in his section, and Martha Plimpton does wonders as Barbara Barrie did almost 40 years ago: a great performer like her father Keith Carradine. The real surprise is Neal Patrick Harris, who even though is too Generation X to play Robert, does provide insight and credibility to what originally should be a shallow character. And Patti LuPone delivers the best "The ladies who lunch" since Elaine Stritch did in 1970!

Unfortunately this musical stills suffers from the fact that the 'book' by George Furth (and little has been changed) is still quite weak. Considering both Sondheim and Furth are gay, the men's parts are incredibly weak, and the situations are clichéd. The performances likewise are the best by the women with the men pretty much taking up space in the background. As to Harris, well, his acting is decent enough, but his voice is rather thin for the material...and he hits a few 'clinkers'. Where is Dean Jones when you need him? Sondheim writes difficult stuff for the average Broadway singer, and 99% of the classical singers can't act, so at best the result is unsatisfactory...like the film version of 'Sweeney Todd'. By the way I did play David myself a long time ago, and I disliked the show then (the book mainly). I've done many musicals, and this is the one I remember with the least affection. I've often thought it might be interesting to do a modern interpretation with all gay couples...and not so incredibly 'white'. The leading character is obviously a model for a '70's gay man.

According to actor Neil Patrick Harris, the cast of "Company" had slightly more than a week of rehearsal time prior to its short run of performances at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. One of those shows was filmed for release in movie theaters. The small but appreciative audience in one of those screenings in Minnesota was treated to a high-energy interpretation of the Stephen Sondheim musical: ensemble performing at its finest.

The book for "Company" has undergone a thorough rewrite from the original 1970 version, resulting in dialogue more attuned to the new millennium. As the couples interact with the bachelor protagonist Robert, the themes of marriage, divorce, loneliness, and life in the big city emerge in a montage of scenes built around some of most memorable music and lyrics ever written by Sondheim. This production was not "fluff," but a meaningful exploration of love, marriage, and the search for happiness in the stressful modern age.

This production isolated the performers on the forestage of the large Avery Fisher Hall. Supported (but not overwhelmed) by the magnificent New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the cast of "Company" brought the characters to life with a dazzling set of creative choices and physical routines. Many of the bits of business were undoubtedly the ideas of the skillful director Lonny Price. The potentially static horizontal plane was occasionally broken when performers interacted with the orchestra and the conductor, adding to the ensemble effect. For the filmed version, the camera work was superb, especially with close-ups. It was like being on the stage with the actors.

The cast obviously worked tirelessly on subtleties of performance and honesty in the emotional life of their characters. Along with his fine vocal technique, Harris evoked a sensitive character interpretation, and the other performers followed his lead. Every viewer will have a "favorite" performer in this production. It was clear that the live New York audience adored the crusty character of Joanne, as played by Patti LuPone. My favorite was Martha Plimpton's character of Sarah, due to the performer's adroit physical choices in the karate scene and her beautiful singing voice. There was also a "surprise" ending in a special touch that transformed the overall meaning of the musical from the original 1970 version. But there are no spoilers in this review. You will have to seize the moment and experience this unique production for yourself for that ending.

The range of abilities in this talented cast cannot be overstated. Technically, the Sondheim songs are not easy. The effortless vocal interpretations, the challenging choreography, and the depth of feeling in the characters made the $18 cinema ticket price a bargain for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is the kind of company I like to keep.

I live a barely middle class living AND theater was never really an option for us. Its either the TV or the movies, though in my defense I do not live under a rock AND had at least heard of Sondheim, in passing.

A genius apparently of an artform I barely know. Then I heard the Ladies who Lunch, a song about a group of rich ladies and their formal 'deaths'.

Soto summarize, I wiki'd his name and the musical AND discovered his death and the musical is highly revered for its stylistic and innovative narrative structure AND is famed by its witty lyrics.

And It was really great. I am shocked that nobody had tried to replicate it in film. Its just superb and shockingly filmic in concept. The way the story shifts in and out timelines and seemingly revolves inside Bobby's imagination is such a bizarre concept for me,since its a musical. The music is topnotch and the pacing is such a delight.

A great introduction to the works of Sondheim and George Furth(another writer of the play). Wonderful and just an interesting concept done in such gusto and smoothness [4.5/5]

Absolutely a great performance of what must be one of Stephen Sondheim's favorite creations. From Neil Patrick Harris's wonderfully natural depiction of Bobby, to Patti LuPone's perfect rendering of "The Ladies who Lunch", this has to be one of the best productions of "Company" extant. Mr. Sondheim's long-time musical director, Paul Gemignani conducts the New York Philharmonic orchestra with his usual brilliance. This superb musical from more than 43 years ago stands as one of the best in musical theater history. I only hope that future audiences will be privileged to see "Company" performed as well as it was performed here on this night at Avery Fisher Hall. To Lonny Price and this marvelous cast - Thank you.