"Company" Revival is Fantastic!

Last night, my friend Brad and I went to see the Broadway revival of Steven Sondheim's popular ensemble piece, "Company".

The musical is full of familiar and beloved numbers, like "Drive a Person Crazy", "Ladies Who Lunch", and most commonly known "Being Alive". I had seen these numbers performed before by Broadway legends like Alan Ball, Lea Solanga, Bernadette Peters, and Elaine Stritch, but this was my first encounter with the actual production.

It is said that, in regards to Sondheim, you either love him or you hate him. I have always leaned more towards the "love" side because of the way that he can write for a cast and not just a leading performer (like Steven Schwartz for example). After the production last night, I am firmly cemented in the "LOVE" category.

The show stars Raul Esparza as "Bobby": the last singleton in his verging upon middle-aged group of friends. The show is about Bobby's longing to be married, his confusion as to why he isn't already, and the journey into self-doubt and fear that must be taken before a person can be truly ready for a huge commitment like marriage.

The show spans two years, beginning and ending with "surprise" parties for Bobby. Everything in between is the interactions he has with the individual couples. He is looking to his friends for inspiration and guidance on and leading to marriage. Most of what he gets, however, is the reality that no marriage is perfect.

In a show where the music is so captivating and well-known, I was very surprised that the dialogue in the scenes and monologues were in fact the stand out aspect of the show. There are plenty of silent awkward moments throughout the show. Peter and Susan announce that they are (amicably) getting divorced. Harry and Sarah are respectively struggling with alcoholism and obsessive dieting. Paul and Amy are to be married, but Amy has a breakdown because she can't believe that someone could love her the way that Paul does. On the day of the wedding she announces that she won't be going through with it, breaking Paul's heart, only for her to turn around and go through with it anyway. And socialite Joanne and fourth husband Larry would appear to hate each other. She is a drunk. He cares more about his wealth.

The point of the story is that it will never look perfect. Love will never have a pretty bow on it and you will never NOT question it. But love is real, when you are ready for it.

Raul Esparza is phenomenal in this production. He is vulnerable, yet guarded. He is so certain of what he wants, but so completely lost in getting it. The sad but hopeful complexity that he gives to the role was something magical to see. He also has a very distinct voice (that normally I'm not a huge fan of) but he really showed so much control and power in his big numbers "Marry Me A Little" and the showstopping finale "Being Alive" (insert many tears here).

Other standouts were Barbara Walsh as "Joanne". Her version of famously drunk character was more complex than people familiar with the show would expect. Instead of light-hearted and drunk, she was angry and insecure (and still quite a bit drunk) Her version of "Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch" was wonderfully heart-breaking and pathetic. And absolutely phenomenal. Heather Laws was also sensational as "Amy". Her ultra-fast and sharp-tongued "Not Getting Married Today" was dead on and hilarious!

"Company" was directed by John Doyle. His direction was beautiful and complex in it's minimalism. The stage was set with a sleek baby Grande, a towering white pillar, and Plexiglas cubes of various sizes. There was no orchestra. Every member of the cast had an instrument, and many played multiple instruments throughout the production. At first I was worried that the instruments would take away from the acting, but I am happy to report that was not at all the case.

It was like a Black Box production of true Broadway caliber. I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants a moving, awe-inspiring, and non-cookie cutter Broadway experience.