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Plot Summary
Set firmly in, and often about, New York, COMPANY follows five married, once married, or soon to be married couples and their mutual friend, Robert, a 35 year old bachelor who has been unable to connect in a long-term relationship. The relationships are presented in a series of vignettes, primarily through Robert's eyes, so that we see the less than ideal aspects of commitment. However, it is obvious to the audience that the committed are happy. Eventually, Robert learns that while relationships aren't perfect, they are a necessary part of "Being Alive."
Customer Reviews
Phenomenal.
I had the pleasure of getting to see this in a movie theater during its limited release. Simply fantastic. Neil Patrick Harris is brilliant as always, but the supporting cast is made up of theater and television stars that are in their prime: Stephen Colbert, Christina Hendricks, and Katie Finneran are the standouts in my memory, but it is Patti Lupone's rendition of "The Ladies Who Lunch" that truly steals the show. Please watch this film.
More than I expected
Being only 26, I've surmised building a time machine to go back and see the original 1970 production of Company on Broadway is not possible. However, I would imagine this is the closest thing possible to recreating the magic that show broad to the Broadway stage. Don't get me wrong... there are a few weak points in this show. Being a concert production, the pacing at times feels a tad rushed and the blocking very linear. And though I absolutely LOVE the girlfriends in their individual scenes, they gave a very sub-par rendition of 'You Could Drive a Person Crazy."
And yet I gave it a 5 star score why? The acting is superb. The actors explore their characters in depth... though their individual strories are not related, you come away feeling each one has contributed in a very special way to Bobby's personal growth.
Highlights for me: Stephen Colbert's hilarious scene and his very touching rendition of "Sorry-Grateful." Every scene involving Christina Hendricks... her April is lovable but daffy. Katie Finneran brings a breath of hilairy to "(Not) Getting Married Today" by going over the top, but not TOO much to be excessive. I was laughing out loud. (And Aaron Lazara in a muscle shirt... yum!)
But the true standout, and possibly worth the purchase of the entire film, is Patty LuPone singing "The Ladies Who Lunch" and the subsequent scene. Patti builds it up to a marvelously theatrical finish. I will be watching her scene more than I will be watching the film as a whole. Just out of boredom. It's that good!
By all means, check this movie out. You will not regret it, by any means.
Best Version of Company
This is the best version of "Company" I've ever seen... and I"ve seen a lot of productions of "Company" (a few on broadway… though not the original). Everyone in the cast did an amazing job, and the director, Lonny Price, understood the material, the concept and the actors. He didn't understand the limitations of a "Concert Version" and staged the show far more actively than the most recent Broadway version. Hands down. Rent or Buy… this version really knocks it out of the park! Apologies for mixing the sports and theatre metaphors… won't happen again.
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- $19.99
- Genre: Musicals
- Released: 2012
- © 2011 New York Philharmonic. All Rights Reserved.