Review-Company (7.1.07)

Company (Sunday, July 1, 2007, 3 p.m.)
Barrymore Theatre, New York, NY

By: Stephen Sondheim (music, lyrics), George Furth (book), John Doyle (direction)

Starring: Raul Esparza (Robert), Barbara Walsh (Joanne), Keith Buterbaugh (Harry), Matt Castle (Peter), Robert Cunningham (Paul), Angel Desai (Marta), Kelly Jeanne Grant (Kathy), Kristin Huffman (Sarah), Amy Justman (Susan), Heather Laws (Amy), Leenya Rideout (Jenny), Fred Rose (David), Bruce Sabath (Larry), Elizabeth Stanley (April)

It is difficult to comprehend why this production of Company did not catch on. It is brilliantly theatrical, innovative, humorous, passionate, and boasts some of the most stunning performances of the season. The production is anchored by an absolutely brilliant star turn, but is also supported with a fine company of supporting players, many of them making their Broadway debuts. And the music – it is an absolutely amazing score, and it couldn’t be sung better. There is so much that just seems right about Broadway when sitting through this, the final performance of one of the most brilliant productions to reach Broadway in years, and to my mind the finest of the season.

Given that this was the final performance, the sell-out audience was extremely enthusiastic. When Raul Esparza first walked on to the stage, there was thunderous applause. Indeed, there was thunderous applause at many points throughout the show, and several numbers, even those that are ordinarily well-received, were recognized with sustained breaks. It was a love-fest all around, and there was something particularly touching about witnessing the outpouring of affection by this audience for the cast.

But this recognition and applause was not gratuitous, it was earned, not just by the past seven months of performances (often to half-empty houses), but rather through an absolutely fine performance that captured every possible nuance and inflection in the overlooked book. Every line, every word, every note seemed to pop and glisten. And every supporting player seemed to be “on.”

I have always felt that notwithstanding that this show centers around Bobby, it requires an absolute stellar supporting cast to make it work. Bobby’s life is not about him, it is about his existence among his friends. Here is where I think this production excels above all others – it’s cast is uniformly excellent without drawing the focus of attention away from Bobby. It is all the more impressive because the actors play the instruments (and play it well) – but even without Doyle’s gimick, I believe this cast was absolutely perfect. It is difficult to single out individuals members of the company, but certainly Heather Laws, Kristin Huffman, Elizabeth Stanley, and Keith Buterbaugh have some of the more memorable moments, but, really, each and every actor is brilliant. Barbara Walsh – her deadpan timing and her amazing ability to reveal her vulnerabilities through a facade – is sensational, and she tore up the theatre with her rendition of “The Ladies Who Lunch.” And what delightful performances by Elizabeth Stanley, Angel Desai, and Kelly Jeanne Grant.

Of course, it is difficult to say more about Raul Esparza, who delivers the performance that now must be regarded as defining the role of Bobby. Esparza is handsome and charismatic, and yet he somehow recedes into the background. His Bobby is a true observer, yet because of his presence, everyone still wants to include him. And yet even when he is observing, he is the focus of our thoughts. And, of course, when he opens his mouth and delivers that throaty baritone, well, it just doesn’t get much better than that. He manages to make “Marry Me A Little” work in the context of the show, and “Being Alive” is simply explosive and cathartic. The spontaneous standing ovation after “Being Alive” felt like a natural culmination of all the years that the character of Bobby has gone through, and that Esparza no doubt went through with the role.

Everything about this Company glistens, and it’s the rare theatrical experience about which I will probably talk for the rest of my life. Particularly after seeing the staid production of Grey Gardens playing just a block away, this Company was a welcome theatrical relief. Every theatre-goer who was able to witness it live should be thankful. This is what live theatre is all about, and this is why we love it. Add 'em up Bobby.