One of the most interesting things about this musical is how many directions you could take with it. I mean, compare this to the 2006 revival of the song! It's so different! Also- my God, can that man dance, and.... Wow, Bobby is a crack addict in this one? I guess it makes sense, coming from the guy who did American Beauty.
hey! we cast someone who dances. let's change the ENTIRE concept (because we can probably do it better than Sondheim) to accomodate a technical skill and just f*** the story. let's also give the actors so much choreography that they can't breathe enough to get the words out. some parts of this production are so ridiculous and so FAR from what this show is about that it's sad. OOH! let's be edgy and have Bobby do coke! this show is about as New Yorky as a turd in a punchbowl
Sondheim said that this was his favourite version of company bcause its so different. and originaly it was done with dancing, not doing a solo on an instrument.
This is not my favourite production of company, but this is the best version of this number that I've heard or seen. Words like "parallel lines" and "nosy" invite the coke usage. And the dancing is just plain fantastic.
Remember the original production had a big dance number by Michael Bennett for this number (Elaine Stritch complained how much it winded the cast) though he cleverly did it as a group of parents putting on a PTA show.
Coke isn't too weird for Bobby to do (Sondheim has admitted to doing it recreationally around the late 60s/70s anyway) but it does make his reaction and surprise to pot in the pot scene seem odd...
I think your comment is nicely thought out, Eric. Elaine Stritch probably complained because she was such a smoker and had no breath. Heh heh. I just think this production is trying waaayyy too hard. Sam Mendes needs to stick with TV and film media.
@wampabutt I agree. Trying too hard. The coke use isn't completely ridiculous, but to make the whole number a coke-induced fever dream is too much. It lacks subtext and a point of view to me.
I like a lot of Sam Mendes' ideas for this production but I think Adrian Lester is the ONLY actor who actually implements them to positive affect in the show with a fresh and gritty approach to Bobby. I THINK Mendes was going for creating characters who were singing because they so badly needed to express their emotions, so they didn't need good voices but could be good "singers". However, part of being a good singer is communication and I don't think Lester was the only one who pulled it off.
I think Sam Mendes has a lot of great ideas but needs to know where to draw the line. There are some things about this production that I really like and others I hate, but I think his 'nouveau' style of "Cabaret" was brilliant.
Adrian Lester is truly a talented guy, but this staging completely misses the point of the song: Bobby is alone in dancing while the couples are enjoying putting on a little show for each other (hence the song-and-dance isn't a standard production number, it's about the COUPLES performing.) Michael Bennett's original brilliant staging helped to highlight how much fun the couples were having and how alone Bobby was. Donmar's was just bizarre. (And Doyle's wasn't all that successful either.)
Who decided this would be a good way to stage this song? Yikes. Theres no story being told anymore. just people walking through the choreography. geez.
That actually works! I have always thought that numberwas out of place with its hats and canes, just too musical theatre for a rather Realistic gritty show. But with this being a drugged out trip, it works.
well its already all set in bobby's mind, everything up to "being alive" are memories in Bobby's head. Personally...i dont like this, but again, i am extremely biased to Raul's esparza's bobby and John Doyle's version of company. I just dont think this works...not one of Mendes' great choices, which kils me to say because his version of Cabaret is my 2nd fave(only after Doyle's version of Company)
I wish I had been able to see doyle's cabaret when he did it at the watermill all those years ago, it would be very interesting to see an actormuso production of cabaret, for sure.
THANKS!
ourDC888 7 months ago
Comment removed
emiemipoemi 8 months ago
OMFG!!! UUUHHH- MAZING!!!!!!!
Mrmattlansbury 9 months ago
One of the most interesting things about this musical is how many directions you could take with it. I mean, compare this to the 2006 revival of the song! It's so different! Also- my God, can that man dance, and.... Wow, Bobby is a crack addict in this one? I guess it makes sense, coming from the guy who did American Beauty.
GiantPetRat 10 months ago
Great in this, and equally if not better in Hustle!
Colakills 1 year ago
Wow. Robert is amazing!
sleepinbee87 2 years ago
Please tell me that snorting isn't in the origional show/
Bluebaritone 2 years ago
hey! we cast someone who dances. let's change the ENTIRE concept (because we can probably do it better than Sondheim) to accomodate a technical skill and just f*** the story. let's also give the actors so much choreography that they can't breathe enough to get the words out. some parts of this production are so ridiculous and so FAR from what this show is about that it's sad. OOH! let's be edgy and have Bobby do coke! this show is about as New Yorky as a turd in a punchbowl
wampabutt 2 years ago
Sondheim said that this was his favourite version of company bcause its so different. and originaly it was done with dancing, not doing a solo on an instrument.
punchjudyjoe 2 years ago 2
It is a turd in a punchbowl
Aquired2 2 years ago
This is not my favourite production of company, but this is the best version of this number that I've heard or seen. Words like "parallel lines" and "nosy" invite the coke usage. And the dancing is just plain fantastic.
politiciandiva 2 years ago
Remember the original production had a big dance number by Michael Bennett for this number (Elaine Stritch complained how much it winded the cast) though he cleverly did it as a group of parents putting on a PTA show.
Coke isn't too weird for Bobby to do (Sondheim has admitted to doing it recreationally around the late 60s/70s anyway) but it does make his reaction and surprise to pot in the pot scene seem odd...
EricMontreal22 2 years ago
I think your comment is nicely thought out, Eric. Elaine Stritch probably complained because she was such a smoker and had no breath. Heh heh. I just think this production is trying waaayyy too hard. Sam Mendes needs to stick with TV and film media.
wampabutt 2 years ago
@wampabutt I agree. Trying too hard. The coke use isn't completely ridiculous, but to make the whole number a coke-induced fever dream is too much. It lacks subtext and a point of view to me.
tommytimp 1 year ago
@tommytimp
i thought it was just a strange reason to explain his nasally singing voice .
claudgaged 1 year ago
@claudgaged HAHAHA
tommytimp 1 year ago
oh - and whoever gave me a thumbs down can put it right up their TUSH instead.
wampabutt 2 years ago
I like a lot of Sam Mendes' ideas for this production but I think Adrian Lester is the ONLY actor who actually implements them to positive affect in the show with a fresh and gritty approach to Bobby. I THINK Mendes was going for creating characters who were singing because they so badly needed to express their emotions, so they didn't need good voices but could be good "singers". However, part of being a good singer is communication and I don't think Lester was the only one who pulled it off.
Javaisreve 2 years ago 3
sorry...I THINK Lester was the only one who pulled it off
Javaisreve 2 years ago 3
BUT boy, can Adrian dance! He's a maniac!
AtLastOnTheGround 3 years ago 2
Agreed...the guy is fucking brilliant
tamclutcher 3 years ago
Comment removed
AtLastOnTheGround 3 years ago 7
It really contradicts the "he's the only guy I feel should drink more!" line.
You would think that someone as restrained as Bobby would be terrified of losing control of himself by taking drugs.
bluebettle 3 years ago
Another good point.
I think Sam Mendes has a lot of great ideas but needs to know where to draw the line. There are some things about this production that I really like and others I hate, but I think his 'nouveau' style of "Cabaret" was brilliant.
AtLastOnTheGround 3 years ago
He does recreational drugs, like when he does weed. he is the type of person that would do it..
punchjudyjoe 2 years ago
Adrian Lester is truly a talented guy, but this staging completely misses the point of the song: Bobby is alone in dancing while the couples are enjoying putting on a little show for each other (hence the song-and-dance isn't a standard production number, it's about the COUPLES performing.) Michael Bennett's original brilliant staging helped to highlight how much fun the couples were having and how alone Bobby was. Donmar's was just bizarre. (And Doyle's wasn't all that successful either.)
RikerNYC 3 years ago
In the original one, Bobby wasn't doing drugs in this song right?
Either way, he did an EXCELLENT way of doing a coked up Bobby without making it so funny that it's cheezy.
bohemiawelcumsyou 3 years ago 2
I hate how that made bobby a druggy...
Why? Just why!
TRoderick 3 years ago
Bobby's choreography is great!
DavidlyMe 3 years ago
What is this crap?
Who decided this would be a good way to stage this song? Yikes. Theres no story being told anymore. just people walking through the choreography. geez.
kfernz 4 years ago
That actually works! I have always thought that numberwas out of place with its hats and canes, just too musical theatre for a rather Realistic gritty show. But with this being a drugged out trip, it works.
troyful 4 years ago
sophie thompson is da best in the whole play shes great!
splotraider 4 years ago
I think the cocaine is a good device for this number, where the couples are all in Bobby's head, or something to that effect.
donjonalano 4 years ago
well its already all set in bobby's mind, everything up to "being alive" are memories in Bobby's head. Personally...i dont like this, but again, i am extremely biased to Raul's esparza's bobby and John Doyle's version of company. I just dont think this works...not one of Mendes' great choices, which kils me to say because his version of Cabaret is my 2nd fave(only after Doyle's version of Company)
freakofdamonth 4 years ago
I wish I had been able to see doyle's cabaret when he did it at the watermill all those years ago, it would be very interesting to see an actormuso production of cabaret, for sure.
nekonuk 4 years ago
I love this!
Its my favourite musical. Have seen it live! Absolutley breath taking! Casted really well!
flutterby10 4 years ago
What's with the cocaine?
buster194 4 years ago
it allows a few puns with "parallel lines" and "nobody's nosy". Also, it allows an explanation to why everyone is spontaneously in his house.
gibsohen 4 years ago