Company: Part 1

This is part one of my absolute favorite musical of all time, "Company" by Stephen Sondheim. This is the PBS "Great Performances" recording of the 2006 Revival of "Company" directed by John Doyle, the director of the 2005 Revival of "Sweeney Todd" also by Stephen Sondheim. In both of these revivals there are no musicians, the actors play all of the instruments, very challenging, yet very effective. The star of this production of "Company" is Raul Esparza who plays Bobby, a seemingly happy Manhattan bachelor with a deep hidden sadness. The cast of this production shows extreme strength in the area of ensemble work. This production has one of the best interpretations of the song "Getting Married Today" I have ever heard, Heather Laws does an amazing job with it. The cast is as follows Bobby: Raul Esparza, Joanne: Barbara Walsh, Larry: Bruce Sabath, Amy: Heather Laws, Paul: Robert Cunningham, Sarah: Kristin Huffman, Harry: Keith Butterbaugh, Jenny: Leenya Rideout, David: Fred Rose, Susan: Amy Justman, Peter: Matt Castle, April: Elizabeth Stanley, Marta: Angel Desai, Kathy: Kelly Jeane Grant. This section includes the songs "Opening" and "Company".

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• 2006
• barrymore
• broadway
• comedy
• company
• dating
• ethel
• genius
• life
• marriage
• musical
• play
• revival
• sondheim
• stephen
• theater

[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.

[nickAtlanta]

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

[MrJoseph554]

@Jabbermouthrulz lol same

[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

[GoingUpsideDown]

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

[ellenrocksyourworld]

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

[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.

[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!!