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Company Reviews
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| 16 |
company i wouldnt keep Review by: phillytheatrernut, Feb 20, 2007 |
| i haven't been as disappointed by a producion in a very long time. i feel that all of the performances were bland and in some cases miscast. upon entering the theater the set looks interesting , but turns into an hurdle the cast must surmount. asking the actors to play and sing the music at the same time verges on sadism , ths music, the sound, and the audience all suffer. the audience never seemed involved, in fact a large number of us who were ... read more leaving at intermission got into a conversation on the sidewalk and all expressed there surprise and frustration on what we just saw. p.s. this might just be me, but every time i've seen raul e. there seems to be a clack in the mezz. that cheer his entrance and over react to his performance. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 17 |
What would we do without you? Review by: folkyboy, Feb 15, 2007 |
Having seen numerous productions of Company in numerous formats, it was a bit daunting to think of YET ANOTHER revival mounting itself on Broadway. I knew it would have to take someone like John Doyle to remind us how easily he can shuck all convention to bring this back.
However, as much attention that is paid to the direction and orchestration of this wonderful piece of theatre, it's the actual show itself that shines through. You ... read more forget that they're on stage playing the instruments before you and lose yourself in Raul Esparza's delivery of Bobby.
He will win the Tony for this performance, I am telling you now.
Oh and Heather Laws, and Barbara Walsh, and Angel Desai and Keith Butterbaugh! I could go on and on and on!
Everyone in this production! Please marry me a little! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 18 |
Utterly Ridiculous ! Review by: BwayGal, Feb 3, 2007 |
Where to start...first of all concept shows are done by directors who think they are smarter than the people who wrote the show in the first place. How arrogant.
Second, why would anyone expect actors to have to carry instruments around the stage the entire evening preventing them to use their entire bodies, including their hands to communicate with each other and the audience?
Third, my favorite song, "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" ... read more has been utterly ruined.
I am thorougly disappointed that the director could not update this show without destroying what it was intended to be.
That being said, the actors were superb and the singing was very good. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 19 |
Fantastic! Review by: Irish Traveller, Jan 29, 2007 |
| I was a bit nervous as to how the performance would work out with the actors also being the orchestra but this show is amazing. So many highlights, this funny, entertaining, true take on marriage was pure magic. Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch stole the show for me, there must be a Tony out there for that performance. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| 20 |
Well Worth It Review by: bob h, Jan 22, 2007 |
I first saw "Company" in London in 1972, I think, and it was a delight to see its Manhattan sophistication again. Having the actors play the musical instruments is clever, and both the acting and music were great. I often have difficulty discerning what the actors are saying in musicals, but here it is all crystal clear.
This must be a stimulating date show, because there were couples happily smooching all around me. I strongly ... read more recommend this production. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Adults
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| 21 |
We enjoyed it! Review by: Jen the RN, Jan 18, 2007 |
| I am surprised to hear how many people didn't like it! My sister and I went, never having seen Company before, and we both loved it. Very entertaining, we liked Raul Esparza very much as Robert. We also very much enjoyed Heather Laws as the anxiety ridden friend and Angel Desai as wild young Marta. WE enjoyed the instruments and the marching around, at one point my single sister turned to me and said, "that looks like your living room!" ... read more We related very well to the angst of relationships and the search for the angst. There were a few veterans of Company sitting near us, they seemed to enjoy the play as well. Go with an open mind, expect an unusual production, but a talented one! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| 22 |
Over the Top Review by: Broadway Gal, Jan 15, 2007 |
I'd seen the original play and loved it,and had also seen the very disappointing Roundabout revival a few years back. I enjoyed Sweeney Todd and thought the same direction style could be interesting for this play.
It wasn't. It was far, far too much. At times, the actors playing their instruments were like an annoying parade around the set, whereas in Todd they often sat down and just played. The diretor seems to have fallen in love ... read more with the technique and didn't know when to stop.
I hated the reworking of You Could Drive a Person Crazy, where vocals were replaced by instruments--it lost its campy, Andrews Sisters opening.
Overall, the actors were ok. Nothing spellbinding.
Worth seeing, for posterity, but nothing compared to the original. Elaine Stritch you were missed! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Business Assoc., Tourists, Adults
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| 23 |
Company -- dated book, timeless songs Review by: Tom Bestor, Dec 26, 2006 |
| "Company" was my first live Sondheim show. I've never been an enormous Sondheim fan, but my two favorite songs of his ("Ladies Who Lunch" and "Not Getting Married Today") are both in this show. What I noticed most about this production was how economically it was directed. Though the story often flies rapidly between one set of characters and locations and another, we never feel lost or thrown off-course. It all flows smoothly. The show ... read more itself, especially the book, seems a bit dated, both in the language it uses and the issues it addresses -- but global themes of love and the search for someone with whom to share your life still come shining through. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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| 24 |
A Moderate Thumbs Up Review by: Fiesta, Dec 11, 2006 |
I am a Sondheim fan, so I throughly enjoyed the score. The book is quite dated, and not as strong as the score. The ensemble performers are fine musicians, and Doyle added some imaginative staging to make the show more than a sung-through concert (I liked 'You Could Drive A Person Crazy' and the opening number in particular).
Bobby is an underwritten part, and Esparza seems more comfortable with the songs than acting -- his ... read more "Being Alive' is excellent. I preferred him in "The Normal Heart" or 'Taboo' to his performance here though. Bobby is a cipher though (at least to me); but I've seen better Bobbys.
In general, I liked the show and was happy with the half-price tickets. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| 25 |
Wedding Bell Blues Review by: Carol, Dec 11, 2006 |
| Loved this production! Sondheim is dark, and so is his view of marriage--not a happy couple in the bunch of the superficially happy. The question of whether or not Robert, by the outstanding Raul Esparza, is gay hangs in the air. When looking at his married friends or ditzy girlfriends, there is no reason to marry really. It's a pity good marriage can't be portrayed on stage, but then I guess there would be no conflict and the play would ... read more fall flat. Still, Doyle's direction, as in Sweeney Todd, was brilliant on the minimalist stage where people focus on the characters and the lyrics instead of the sets. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| 26 |
Felt very long for 2 hours. Review by: Kate, Dec 9, 2006 |
| Interesting how Multitastic the performers are. It's very hard to act, sing, walk around, and play and insrtument at the same time and they pull it off. I wasn't a fan of the story line, however their was moderate humor that kept me going. I felt the second act was depressing next to the first. It's not your every day broadway show. It wasn't for me. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Adults
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| 27 |
A Shallow Evening with Shallow People. Review by: RALPHIE, Dec 7, 2006 |
There is nothing worth your attention in this show about a few bland and boring people who --- guess what --- do not have very fulfilling romantic lives. That Robert is 35 and single isn't surprising; it would be remarkable if he could get a second date let alone a relationship. Years ago I used to have a bland personality, and few dates. As my character and personality developed, so did my romantic interests. A no-brainer.
The music in ... read more this show is as flat and boring as the characters. Sondheim being a big name composter is no guarantee. The music can be forgotten in 5 minutes.
As for the actors, their assignment is hopeless. No amount of talent can breathe life into lifeless material. Also, the gimmick of having the actors double as the orchestra, prancing about with their instruments in hand, was a silly pretense at artistic creativity in Sweeney Todd. Here it's reduced to self-parody.
Company is NOT the weakest or worse musical on Broadway right now, but there are at least 20 better shows, so why waste your money and evening muddled in mediocrity? |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 28 |
For lovers of Sondheim, it's a real treat! Review by: Equity Actor, Nov 30, 2006 |
This is an unusual take on one of Sondheim's more cerebral
shows, and it works very well. Raul Esparza is probably
the best Robert ever. The rest of the cast doesn't quite
match his ability, but after all, they are all asked to play
at least three instuments as well as act. If you like highly
intelligent, conceptual theatre, don't miss this. If you
want flying chandeliers or singing puppets, don't go.
If you are a ... read more "Sondheim Snob", you might object to the staging,
but you'll appreciate the delivery, especially on
"Being Alive" and "Barcelona".
I loved it. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Adults
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| 29 |
great play Review by: duke, Nov 27, 2006 |
| a very enjoyable evening, wondefully staged |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Anyone
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| 30 |
I was bored! Review by: Zoeywine, Nov 19, 2006 |
I didn't like Company. It introduced the single Robert and his married friends then it pretty much flat lined with no more complications and no final resolution after that. I thought the staging was interesting at the beginning but then it just seemed too cold and vacant.
If I had not been with a group, I would have left after the first act. I was bored.
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Adults
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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