Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Company (2006 Broadway Revival Cast)
Free Music Review: Sondheim at His Most Accessible with Esparza a Standout in a Sparkling Update
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm probably fortunate not to have the vivid memory of the classic 1970 cast recording swimming through my head as I can listen to this sparkling update with comparatively fresh ears. Several songs here have been inescapable at karaoke bars for years from the lips of overly zealous musical theater aficionados, yet staged like a minimalist cabaret act, John Doyle's joyous 2006 Broadway revival of the Stephen Sondheim/George Furth musical has brought new life to the oft-resuscitated show. I saw the show this past weekend at the Barrymore Theater and was unexpectedly enthralled, and luckily, this crisp recording gratefully captures most of it for posterity. For a canon as legendary and often erratic as his, Sondheim's sophisticated music and lyrics never seemed as accessible and hummable as they do here.
The story is blessedly simple as it revolves around Bobby, a perennial 35-year old bachelor with commitment issues, as he observes his circle of upscale Manhattanite friends, primarily five married couples at different stages in various vignettes that make him reconsider what he wants out of life. There is an element of contrivance to the structure, but what I thought would be Furth's severely dated libretto continues to resonate with wit and insight. Moreover, the most daring move of the stage production, having the actors play their own musical instruments, is not even relevant on the recording since the accompaniment sounds seamless. So much of the show rides on the crucial casting of Bobby, and Ra?l Esparza superbly manages the precarious balance between yearning romantic and cynical hedonist. With a beautifully expressive singing voice coupled with a common-guy demeanor, he captures the character's arc with an escalating emotional intensity from the measured romanticism of "Someone Is Waiting" to the tender tentativeness of "Marry Me a Little" (with the beautiful, Sondheim-trademarked rolling piano) to the bursting climactic catharsis of "Being Alive".
The rest of the cast accomplish some wonderful moments that already come with high expectations - Heather Laws dexterously motors her way through "Getting Married Today" with her character's nerve-wracking intensity intact; Elizabeth Stanley brings a likeable warmth to the dim-bulb flight attendant April as she duets sweetly with Esparza on the comically post-coital "Barcelona"; the poignant "Sorry - Grateful" performed by the comparatively less spotlighted male ensemble; and of course, there are the lacerating observations in "The Ladies Who Lunch", handled with fierce worldliness by Barbara Walsh as Joanne (her repeated primal screams at the end pierce with wounding acuity). My one minor complaint about the recording is the fluctuating volume control especially evident during the showstoppers. However, I can heartily recommend this CD to hear Sondheim's brilliance in full bloom, much of Furth's sharp book and a star-making vocal turn by Esparza.
Free Music Review: Exciting Interpretation
Hit: 5 Stars
Company does not lack for good to great recordings to line your shelves. I have all the Company recordings that have been released commercially and up to now the Original Broadway has always held pride of place but it is now threatened by this innovative new recording. Raul Esparza's Bobby is so breathtaking that any other reservation about this interpretation is blown aside. "Being Alive" is the testing piece for any singer but listen closely to this interpretation as Esparza puts a different tone into each repeat of "being alive" adding depth and emotion as the song unwraps. To my mind this is the definitive interpretation. The musical arrangements can at times startle the listener who is used to the previous interpretations, particularly the origninal but this new version brings new humour and lightness and is a real joy to add it to the Sondheim collection.Free Music Review: Excellent retelling and Raul is perfect
Hit: 5 Stars
Marry me a little is the best interpretation I have heard - just brilliant - worth buying just for this.Free Music Review: Company
Hit: 4 Stars
Excellent production values characterize this latest Sondheim CD. Vocals and instrumentals came through with remarkable clarity so that the words could be understood and none of the Sondheim wit was lost.Free Music Review: Company The Revival- a pure joyful experience
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw the Broadway production before the album was released. I had listened to the original cast recording. Now that I have the revival I can not believe how great this new production is. I is a delight to listen to. The entire cast is terrific, but Raul Esparza's understated portrail leading up to the finale in which he explodes with emotion and a beautiful voice just makes this production stand out for me. This is a must for any collector of Broadway Music!