With those lyrics by Stephen Sondheim in 1970 sung to his music, a new style of Broadway musical was born. Controversial even then because of subtle undertones of homosexuality and the swingin' life of the New York well-to-do, "Company" went onto become another stepping stone towards the modern musical, and 40 years later, still produces great debates and conversations over musical aficionados of every age, gender, race, and sexual persuasion.
This brief concert production was jam-packed with talent, and some of them fare better than others. Any production of "Company" will be compared (as his next show, "Follies") to the original, and anybody who takes on the basically supporting role of Joanna will be compared to the incomparable Elaine Stritch. Bobby, the leading character, will always be subject to great scrutiny of his sexuality. A single male, living in Manhattan in the late 60's/early 70's, dating many women, yet not settling down, may find himself compared to "The Boys in the Band", yet Bobby isn't some self-hating bitchy queen "barely alive": he is searching for "Being Alive!", his 11:00 anthem of survival in a society that is dealing with changing relationships and his many friends who desperately are trying to get him attached.
Here, Bobby is Neil Patrick Harris, one of the great wonders of the millennium, a former child star who has made it past those "Doogie Houser" days and is now called to host practically every award show there is. Not afraid to make fun of his own sexuality, yet also not afraid to play heterosexual as well, Harris is a charming performer who has continued to work in practically every medium, returning to the stage as his schedule permits. He is also ageless, about a decade too old for Bobby in years, yet still youthful that he can take the role on and appear to be in his early 30's. He is also masculine enough to portray straight, although subtle hints about his character's possible sexuality are hinted at by others around him. Sometimes, however, the orchestra and Harris seem to be out of tune with each other, mostly evident in the opening number. As this was a live show and only had a handful of performances, glitches are expected, and by the time Harris gets to "Marry Me a Little" and "Being Alive", those issues have been cleared up.
The other glitch in singing comes during "You Could Drive a Person Crazy", the three singers all so different that the trio isn't as polished as it could have been. Anika Noni Rose really rips "Another Hundred People" apart, and like the equally diminutive La Chanze (from the 1995 Roundabout Production which I saw), brings the rawness out of this 1970's New York Anthem about the "City of Strangers". Martha Plimpton is also very funny as the wife who warns her self-defense teaching husband that "it can't be blocked", and proves herself right.
Many major divas, from Jane Russell, Vivian Blaine, Julie Wilson, Carol Burnett, Debra Monk, Judith Light and Barbara Walsh, have taken on the role of the show's most famous "guest": the much divorced Joanne, the "I'll Drink to That!" socialite demanding "Another Vodka Stinger!". Here, it is Patti LuPone, and when she rips into "The Ladies Who Lunch", you swear you are living theater history. Joanne is basically a supporting role, but gets more musical numbers than the others (including "The Little Things You Do Together" and a scathing line regarding one of Bobby's dates in "Poor Baby") and with LuPone in the part, that factor remains.
I can't call this the quintessential "Company", although the staging at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall (sight of the 1985 "Follies" concert) is perfect for what it is. As the 2007 Broadway revival is also available commercially (with the actors playing instruments as well as singing), there is a "let's compare" temptation. But any filmed production of a Sondheim show (or any Broadway show for that matter!) is welcome, and makes you wish for more.
