Company: Part 9

This is part nine 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 "Side By Side By Side", "What Would We do Without You" and "Poor Baby".

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

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

[apuppetapuh]

Barbara Walsh's face when she played the triangle at 4:07-4:09 made me burst out laughing. She is so perfect for that part.

[jackskellingtonsora]

Wow this musical hides it's hilarity and antics behind a facade of sophistication. I love that. lol

[dg06248]

I love when he brings out the kazoo! ADORABLE!!

[AliaSparrow]

I love that heartbreaking close-up of Raul's face 4:24. He knows he's lonely and fears it.

[jackskellingtonsora]

@Unintelligentful

Perhaps that was my intention....

[Unintelligentful]

What a fabulous musical, studying this at university soon. Excited is an under-statement.

[Unintelligentful]

@jackskellingtonsora You gave the impression of an intelligent person too, until you used the abbreviation "lol" at the end of such a well structured sentence.

[lovesingread]

April reminds me of Emma from Glee.

[BroadwayBoundLoser16]

I love how instead of a uniform kickline, which works really well, the instruments create this swirling manic circus effect around Bobby. It's hilarious and fun to watch. It's like Bobby has his own personal band of people playing the soundtrack to his life.

[Velociactor]

@BoredTomboy Maybe because it's only her face in screen?

[Exayevie]

I feel like Side by Side is where Esparza's interpretation of Bobby takes a blow. The detatched, introspective take is a fresh one, and not altogether out of place, but a lot of roles they say Bobby serves in this song don't seem like things Esparza's Bobby would do.

[BoredTomboy]

I don't know why I'm fascinated with Barbara Walsh at 1:45 - 1:50, but I HAVE to stare at her. As much as I love Bobby.