Company: Part 1

[romangirl88]

Having just listened to these clips I really dont like the use of musical instruments.Very gimmicky. The singing was so wonderful in the Crucible revivial that I was fully expecting this lauded version to be as good or even better but its not. I just wish the Crucible version could have a cast album.

[romangirl88]

The Daniel Evans version at the Crucible is outstanding.

[Jabbermouthrulz]

I went to see this at the Crucible on Wednesday :D

[MrJoseph554]

@Jabbermouthrulz lol same

[GoingUpsideDown]

I love this version, the cast are so unbelievably talented.

[sporran564]

This was a just a God-awful revival. I know seasoned Broadway professionals who came out just shaking their heads in disbelief. It doesn't surprise me at all the Sonheim LOVED this version because there aren't any distractions to get in the way of his music and lyrics (like the famous Boris Aronson set and the Michael Bennett choreography -- including the famous "Tick Tock" number that is always the first to be jettisoned yet is absolutely integral to understanding Bobby's character.)

[Kaizykat]

I love you for this. Think you for posting this.

[TheWhatev33]

dear Mr. Cowles, Thank you so very much for posting this.I agree,in my top 5 favorite musicals of all time! I have watched it 7 times.Thank you!!

[johnyzero2000]

There needs to be a channel devoted entirely to live theater that shows video taped and filmed shows from Broadway, off Broadway and off off Broadway as well as professional theaters from around the world. It should also include operas, ballets and concerts. Also there should be reality shows devoted to the theater and have commercials so royalties can be paid. I dub it the Theater Network!

[ellenrocksyourworld]

@johnyzero2000 I would seriously pledge my life to making the Theatre Network happen.

[9andabovge]

I was in "Into the woods n assassins n both show as I sang I was so scarred but excited at the same time

[egyptianminor]

Gotta love these ultra modern chord changes.

[egyptianminor]

@egyptianminor The best tunes of the whole musical are here in the opening, and you gotta love Barbara Walsh and Kelly Jean Grant - both so hot.

[ravenofno]

What I absolutely love about Sondheim is the terror (as an actor and singer) of wondering if you can rise to the challenge of his wry twists and turns.....truly daunting.

[allenepinder]

I have to say after getting this from the library i have fallen in love with this musical, for someone as brilliant as sondheim to take something like marriage and relationships and make a musical is amazing to me, and i've never seen it done quite like this, all of the people in the cast are amazingly talented, they work effortlessly well together, and the casting of the lead was great, raul esparza is the epitome of a handsome, humorous bachelor

[Akredhead]

So, did they teach the actors to play instruments?

[pianodude1971]

I just wasted $18 watching mainly TV actors destroy this musical along with the NY Phil.  Raul Esparza is the Bobby for all time, and this cast and orchestration is perfect.

[InspectorKaramazov]

@pianodude1971 You didn't like it? I loved the version with Neil. Still, this version is my favourite.

[deepswimms]

I just saw the recorded version of this with Neil Patrick Harris! Company=new obsession :D

[Exayevie]

OMG Thank you! I never knew what Company was about, but after seeing Side by Side performed during the Tony's on Sunday, I've wanted to see it like crazy! So hard to do when you live in the middle of nowhere Illinois. Having it on youtube makes me so happy! I love the 21st century :)

[JoseRomeroSING]

My school is putting this show together next year. Its pretty likey will get the lead Robert :) so excited. Thank you for posting this I can practice and see how I have to portray the character.

[WillScarlet16]

"Hi, this is Steve. Yes, today is my birthday, and yes, you may leave a message about how happy YOU are that I'm turning 81. And whatever you're calling about, the answer is yes."

Happy 81st birthday Stephen.

[blikely9]

I thought watching the whole thing this afternoon would satisfy me, but I keep coming back to it again and again. Cannot wait to see it in April with NPH and Stephen Colbert as Harry!

[ginoseast123]

i don't like this bobby...too smug and a bit annoying ha

[horerfandod3]

@ginoseast123 what do you mean by smug and a bit annoying. he is thebest bobby. though you are entitled to ypur own opinion

[RoyTanUK]

Thanks for posting really enjoy it from London West End.

[phantomsonlylove]

at 4:20 that lady sounds like sue salvester from glee. i love it, its awseom!

[ddd1953]

In 1970 I was lucky to see the Dean Jones version of company. That year I took my first trip to NY to see Fiddler as part of our high school drama group and Hal Prince himself gave us a tour of the set, then, a crazy, dark and long haired man ran down the isle and joined him in the discussion, it was Sondheim. Who not only took questions from us but also asked many questions of us. That was a great day.

I came so close to becoming a New Yorker that day.

[ddd1953]

In 1970 I was lucky to see the Dean Jones version of company. That year I took my first trip to NY to see Fiddler as part of out high school drama group and Hal Prince himself gave us a tour of the set, then, a crasy, dark and long haired man ran down the isle and joined him in the discussion, it was Sondheim. Who not only took questions from us but also asked many questions of us. That was a great day.

I came so close to becoming a New Yorker that day.

[spudster007]

Best intro song ever...

[Marg002]

Well, not to discount how much better this works than it has any right to, it DOES do away with one fabulous parts of the original: Jonathan Tunick's great (GREAT!) orchestrations. They really should not be dispensed with in such a cavalier fashion.

[wendioiso]

Be ready Asian women online lushfmlk.info

[nickAtlanta]

How in the world did they find instrumentalists who could not only sing, but act, too? This is brilliant!

[MsLazyllama101]

@nickAtlanta All professional musicians know how to play piano. Many also play some other instrument. If not, they all ready music so they have an easier time learning.

[jamieh1974]

Sondeheim prefers the original cast for a reason. I agree as much these guys and girls do a good job. The original was just more raw, less bland, less whiny and so much more emotive

[phantomsonlylove]

my drama class is doing this musical this year. oh boy i love this opening!

[jjrockyoursocks]

i love this Sondheim production this was one of the best hes done and most of his plays are weird but this one was really good

[hazzabazza321]

this is disgustingly brilliant

[eleanor2012]

How to choose a fave Sondheim - I can't - but "Being Alive" still brings me to tears.

[lizzypdotpi]

I LOVE THIS MUSICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I think the Broadway soundtrack sounds better

[kaos1156]

Marta, a drag Cher impersonator...? Meaning when she speaks? We barely get to hear her sing solo in this number. I can't help loving her personally.

[teplin444]

This is one of my favorite musicals of all time, however, in this particular production, i feel as if the ensemble based pit detracts from the work. I thoguht that the Sweeney Todd revival did fantastically with this method but i feel as if Company requires the actors full emotional range and focus, which is disturbed by their respective instruments. Anywhoozle, this is most definatly one of the greatest musicals of all time and always a joy to watch.

[futurestarish]

I love Marta...

[Straw2daberry]

I'm not trying to mean or anything (and ordinarily I wouldn't say anything of this nature, but it's been on my mind for a while) but is anybody else a little weirded out by the man who play's Paul and his lack of lips.

[Straw2daberry]

I am so the Bobby of all my friends :)

[skitsokity]

@Straw2daberry or the Mark of all of my friends, two character's at the center of all of these other people that surround them

[RentandWicked]

this is awesome and thanks for uploading!

[jonycuddlesgert]

YUP... Best of the BEST! My all time FAV musical... too. Sondeim and the 1970s... in which I WAS... WAS! ... "BobbieBuuhbieBobbieBaby!" Did you hear me say ME! ?

Yup. Great years, FULL of love, and very very little rancor... none of that icky-stuff inside of me, anyhow. -- GLAD I did everything I did! NO. Regrets. - Hugs, Johnny.

[dearkakana]

very nice i really love this song

[maggiepower]

I'm sorry, but this Marta is just awful. She sounds like a drag Cher impersonator.

[linkcharmer]

It was enough that I sent away for this dvd, not needing to see it often, just knowing I had it.

[MLeeemily]

omg hear the overtones especially at 1.11 for a few seconds.

[fireballfrenzy]

I'm doing an (slightly simplified) amateur version in Dutch tomorrow (playing Harry and Paul)!

[lf1234]

I never thought anyone could. Bravo, Barbara!!!!!!!!!

[stapt1]

My favorite Sondheim show...ever!

[SeanIsTheFizz]

I think this production is fantastic! I'm not a huge Raul Esparza fan though.

[WillScarlet16]

Some purists may gripe about the minimalist orchestrations, but with Company it actually works.

I used to think Company was Sondheim's sellout piece. On the OBC he mostly sounds like he's trying to hard to be hip.

I never realized how great the opening tune was until all that 70s noise was stripped down.

[shooterandwinniesmom]

i was April at Sacramento State's version of this. really fun, but hard ass music!

[crazymonkeegrrl666]

thats so cool! that means you got to sing barcalona i love that song!

[shooterandwinniesmom]

that song was fun, and my bf and i always say, "barcelona" now when we hear someone say "where ya goin?" hahaha but, the trio g/f song was crazy hard! we actually did "doo-doo's" instead of using an instrument, as most do.

[blithium]

@shooterandwinniesmom The city or the planet?

[blithium]

@shooterandwinniesmom The city or the planet?

[lf1234]

Barbara Walsh seems to channel Elaine Stritch.

[officialbriangibson]

The first time I saw this play was in 2004 in Los Angeles.... it was magical. I met Deborah Gibson, Richard Kline from Threes Company and Judith Light...I'll never forget this play and love it forever.

[franko3110]

Can someone please tell me where can I download this play ?

[11777766]

Please! Doyle started this crap of having singers play instruments (or appearing to do so.; they are lipsynching to recordings) to save money by eliminating the orchestra. He has already ruined Sweeny, Company, and all the other Sondheim musicals he's directed. I'm amazed that Sondheim allows this, since he always said he was so incredibly sensitive to hearing his innermost feelings, which he expressed in his lyrics and music, every opening night or any revival. Glad Doyle spared the Met!.

[BroadwayVBtime]

@11777766

So a few things before you make that statement:

1) Sondheim LOVES this version of company because of all the amazing intricacies.

2) they arent lip syncing

3) Sondheim is very supportive of actors playing instruments, in fact when he wrote night music he intended that all of the major characters play instruments.

I agree with you that it wasnt right for Sweeny, but this is seen as one of the best productions of Company ever

[tlengland2007]

Here here! Thank you for saying that!

This version transformed from a hater of musicals into a lover. I cannot stop watching this. Bravo to Doyle and Sondheim! Esparza is great, too. Man.

[jimjimmyjames59]

@BroadwayVBtime

I can understand that. But after 3 major musical revivals (that I know of) with actors playing instruments, please tell me that the trend has passed.

[robbertstoop]

@jimjimmyjames59 how can a trend that -at least for the greater part of the audience- never became a hughe hit, ever pass??? For 80% of the musical-loving audience, most sondheim shows are still new... Let's wait for the whole world getting to know sondheim before saying ANYTHING he ever wrote can be passed!

[sixstringhero20]

@BroadwayVBtime and yet its only fredrick alone with his cello...how sad haha

[fflorol]

@sixstringhero20 Nooo, not fredrick! Henrik! ;)

[StrewthMcGinty1]

I presume your name is a reference to the god-awful musical 1776. That explains a lot.

[mdpr3]

'Bobby come and see my new Cello, let me park it right over here...."

[Capricaquarius89]

"...Raul, we'll music at dinner. We'll play some Sondheim for you. Even though the sound will be thinner. Just be the three of us, slumbing the orchestra..."

[Capricaquarius89]

I think David Hyde Pierce is terrific, but I was really hoping that Raul Esparza would win the Tony for "Company"

[0this1is2madness3]

i am always overwhelmed by how much talent is on that little stage. singers and orchestra all in one!

[lustertheleopard]

Dude, disable your ratings.

[bandKIWI097]

can someone tell me what the musical is about

[OzBuckBear]

Wikipedia has a good summary. It's about Bobby, who's single and has lots of married friends. It's his birthday and he isn't sure whether he wants to be married or stay a bachelor.

He flashes back to remember his friends and the time he has spent with them.

[artwarkam]

It is about couples, their relationships and what love means

[WarCraftPwns]

I like both versions of this show a lot. Raul Esparza was great in this part and so were Dean Jones/Larry Kert as well. It's just different but I think this worked very well for the kind of show it is. I enjoy both versions very much so :)

[ebergsven]

I definitely agree with you. They are both great!

[littlepipandcowbell]

This revival was so self-indulgent.

[TheBohemianSpirit]

I think it lacks on dynanmic in the music why couldn't they do it oldschool with an orchestra in an orchestra pit with conducter and the actors on the stage?

[ebergsven]

Because it was the PBS special where they didn't do the actual show, they did a mock version of the show, they actual cut out some dialogue and numbers... it was for TV so they shorted it. They actual showed off how amazing these actors and actresses are. They play multiple instruments and can be amazing as they are! :D just to let you know I am a big fan of the show, hoped you enjoyed

[WarCraftPwns]

It's not because it was a PBS special. This is just how the revival was done because John Doyle was doing it this way just like his revival of Sweeney Todd. They may have cut things because of PBS but the instrument and the scarce set is because of the direction

[zisel2]

Learn what you're talking about.

[BroadwayVBtime]

Because that would have made it far less interesting and impressive.

[bakedsanta]

Thank you so much for posting this. One of my favorite musicals.

[RichieEastside]

Not sure how I feel about the idea of the actors playing the instruments to tell you the truth seems a bit cheesy but who knows maybe I'll like it.

[peep1131]

I wanna do this show SOOO bad.

[PicturesOnSilence1]

I kinda want to marry Raul...

[RickvanVeldhuizen]

What'd ya wanna get married for?

[crazyking1325]

So then we can get a divorce to keep the marriage stronger =D

[Chung85909]

thank you for uploading this!

[covercalls]

Very well done revival. These are very talented actors/singers who can play their instruments as well. I do have to admit I do miss a few instruments in the original show. They all did a wonderful job. I did like Dean Jones playing Bobby a bit better.

[RickvanVeldhuizen]

I like this show more than the original, just because the instrumentation is IMO better done, and the actors are IMO better

[castellvell]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[jimdivax]

Have always loved this show. But never knew how this revival spun it. The performers doubling up as musicians seems to lend something to the central idea of connexions in a life! Works really well!..

[exroaminbone]

I just played in the pit for the Tallahassee Little Theatres performance of this and, honestly, they pulled off a better performance. From singing to acting to staging: they pulled out all the stops and really made the characters speak their feelings. Dont get me wrong, Boyles revivals are awesome!, but you just don't get the some connection between the cast as in doing it with a pit. Thanks for posting this!

[Slotheye]

A fellow pit player! Well, I suppose you can't call me a proper player, since I've only done my own high school's productions, but I know how you feel. I still like to claim that our high school's production of The Music Man was better than any other performance I've seen, even though I know that's only because I saw it so many times during rehearsals, it grew on me and latched on tight.

[waitforthecrash]

Oh man. This show is amazing.

[eagler4040]

Both revivals are great. The sound of Sweeney is amazing, but I don't think it works as well visually as Company does as far as the instruments on stage. Sweeney is really more of an archetypal epic affair, which aids itself to a more cinematic display. Company is very artistic, so it works with the instruments. I really don't like the original cast recording of Company, this is much better.

In conclusion, screw dance numbers.

[mysterywhiteboy41]

@eagler4040 I could not agree with you more.

[lettersx2you]

so amazing. so much talent on one stage.

thanks for uploading it. :)

[tellmewhatsahappenin]

I agree that this concept works so much better for Company than it did for Sweeney. The instruments have definite symbolic significance. The fact that Company is more of a plotless, concept show works with the abstract design. This is one of my favorite productions I've seen on Broadway in a very long time.

[doggys235]

I happen to disagree. You lose the elements of dance with this instrumental. Side by Side by Side seemed more charming with the little tap numbers added in. Taking out Tick Tock just killed it for me.

And replacing the "doo doos" with saxophones in You Could Drive a Person Crazy irks me. You lose the entire essence of it being an "Andrews Sisters" inspired number. It just becomes a simple trio.

Sweeney Todd worked on so many levels. The background of the revival was just genius. You could see

[yelanates]

Well, in You Could Drive a Person Crazy, the doo doos were obviously imitating saxes...

And I personally think that the revival of Sweeney was an uninspired mess.

Mind, we;re all entitled to our own opinions :)

[doggys235]

the inhabitants of a mental hospital putting on a show like that. It made sense. This was just a bunch of people singing and playing instruments for no apparent. Sweeney Todd was people performing that musical.

[blattman13]

I've never seen that version of Sweeny, but it sounds like great. It did work for Man of La Mancha. I have just been formally introduced to company, both versions and I agree with you, especially about the "doo doos." I am not familiar with Tick Tock.

[doggys235]

Donna McKechnie's dance, choreographed by Michael Bennett, was placed in front of Barcelona and after Poor Baby in the original production.

I believe the version of a 51 or 53(!) year old Donna McKechnie at the reunion concert is somewhere on youtube. It's an amazing dance, however, no one else really has the caliber to do it nowadays.

[Drego642]

"Sorry, just ignore this phone call. Oh god, you'll never believe what I just did..." lol

[broadwayfan3]

What theater is this at?

It's looks like Circle in the Square but I can't remeber

[orsino05]

umm ... it's actually the first thing said in the video, how about hitting "play"?

[broadwayfan3]

Whoops...I skiped the beginning and just went straight to the first song

[BirdDogg34]

Ugh, I hate the whole idea of having the cast play the instruments. It just doesn't make any sense! What is the advantage of doing it that way? Sure, it's impressive that these people can sing and play and the same time, but I think that it really takes away from their acting performances. Whatevs, though. It's still Sondheim, and I still love it!

[KatherineXIX]

Yeah, it's weird. But I think a Sondheim musical where this would work especially well would be A Little Night Music. Sondheim said that originally, he was going to have each character's vocal part represent an instrument, but he eventually decided that was too pretentious. If they played the instruments, though, it would make sense! And one character already has to play the cello...

[yelanates]

Usually I agree with you, John Doyle is an idiot. It does not work for Mack and Mabel or Sweeney Todd. Oddly enough, it does work for Company, in my opinion.

[mikep300]

Yes this was very similar to the touring production of sweeney todd. I think sometimes it does look a bit awkward for the actors, especially when walking around. It can still be rewarding though, it just requires a bit more effort on the audience's part.

[FilesOfWrye]

I think it works pretty well for this. I love this production. The only issue I have is the constant walking around and marching in circles. That's what's distracting to me. Sit still for goodness sake!

[Truthspark]

Yeah, but if you think about it, that's the point. I think the director was trying to create that feeling of "circling, circling, circling, just sit down won't you!"

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

Raul's expression at 1:54 is priceless. I love it.

[MichaelCrawfordsFan]

Is this on DVD? I just got the CD with Raul in it tonight. It sounds great. Its amazing.

[Edinburgh74]

dvd on amazon of wholw show - great.

[littledotte]

i loved reading all the comments and opinions on this show! :D

[littledotte]

this is such a great performance! thanks so much for uploading it!!!!

[yelanates]

LMAO, it's also an episode of "Great Performances".

[Scott89119]

This is very, very, very, very good.

[Oathkeeper1992]

I love this revival of company. I think it is just cause I am between theater and music(instrumental). I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!

[MushroomLake]

love sondheim!

Fave song from this musical has to be "You could drive a person crazy"

AMAZING!

[littlepipandcowbell]

As much as I love the show, I have to say that this particular revival seemed to lack energy.

[invisiblegy15]

I noticed that as well. I saw it live and It's a bit different.I think that it has to be this tapping of the show..I'm guessing maybe they wanted to tone it down so you could see that all of this taking place in Bobbys' head.

[britriv]

I still don't get the instruments...are they actually playing?

[BillyCowles]

Yes of course they are actually playing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a concept show.

[Hasselhoffhater]

So why does John Doyle use the actors/musician method? Not I'm against it, I just want to know.

[BillyCowles]

I'm not really sure why he has a fascination with actors with instruments, but i like it. it is a cool way of presenting the show!

[Hasselhoffhater]

Well I think there should be more then being a cool way to presenting a show.

[blackbelt360]

John Doyle originally used this method (mind you, he wasn't the first) due to budget; he could not afford to higher an orchestra, so he hired actors who were also musicians and combined the 'roles'.

He has since staged many other productions using the actor-musician method. In this way, he strips musical theatre down to its core, that is telling a story with music. Actors are also able to perform their characters through their instruments, giving them another dimension.

[blackbelt360]

In Company the method enforces the message of 'company', of supporting each other. There are also small details that show the couples' relationships. In 'The Little Things You Do Together' Sarah & Harry 'fight' as they play opposing lines on flute and trumpet. Susan & Peter play piano. David & Jenny play strings. Amy & Paul play trumpet. Joanne only playing percussion shows how little she plays in her marriage. The wives back up their husbands when they sing their solos in 'Sorry-Grateful'.

[blackbelt360]

I know am writing a lot, but I find the actor-musician method fascinating. As I said, there are little throughout the show (who plays, what instrument/line they play) that gives further insight in the characters and their relationships. I think the point is driven home at the end of 'What Would We Do Without You', as the couples compliment each others' solos but Bobby plays alone. How tragic is it that all these couples can make beautiful music together, but Bobby has no one to play with.

[Hasselhoffhater]

Well how would the instruments match the characters personality?

[seergreen]

Best example is how Joanne's instrument is a glass and a triangle-mallet. She's either "drinking" from it or playing it.

[Hasselhoffhater]

Oh okay. It's nice to know things or a little bit not.

[ieatglue44]

Into the Woods. :)

Yeah, I like the actor/musician staging - in Company. I don't think it worked at all for Sweeney.

[Hasselhoffhater]

Really? how so?

[ieatglue44]

Well, because it's a very conceptual...concept. It worked in Company because of the setting - it takes place in Bobby's mind. It has no plot. There's no real honest scenery or anything to look at. In Sweeney, it's a bit different. Partially because it's timeperiod, but mostly because it has a plot, and it doesn't make sense to me. It's hard to imagine the setting when you're focused on the accordion. Plus, with this set-up you have to strip down the orchestra to just what it needs to sound...

[ieatglue44]

...close to full. In Sweeney, the orchestra needs to have a very complete sound to pull off the horror-ishness about it. That's why I love the movie; they augment the orchestra so large that it immerses you into the entire thing. While some of Doyle's direction worked in Sweeney, he was immensely more successful using the same style for Company, mostly just because it is more conceptual and that is almost the way it was meant to be directed.

[Hasselhoffhater]

Well I thought his production was somewhat unique.

[Hasselhoffhater]

Then again, I was not a fan of the Hal Prince production because I felt it was a little too over- exaggerated. But understand that John's production was to take place in Tobias' mind.

[ieatglue44]

See, it's hard to grasp that it takes place in Toby's mind if A) Toby wasn't in every scene, B) you go from the movie/original production to the revival. Whereas Company is written from Bobby's head, so there's no other way to do it, really.

[Xenthoz]

Uhhhh, Billy? What the Hell is this?

[BillyCowles]

read the description!

[thekatelyn99]

William-

that was really awsome!! I loved it!!! Keep posting them!