Company - Stop what you're doing...

...And buy tickets for Company RIGHT NOW. It’s that good. We went Wednesday, Nov. 15th. I would have gone back the next night if I could. I plan on seeing it at least once more (and hopefully multiple times).

I know it’s my favorite show so I am biased, but it was amazing.

Easy stuff – set, costumes, staging were all terrific and worked so well. You’ll want to move into the set. The costumes were simple and cohesive, but also went far in delineating character and distinguishing people. There are 14 people onstage at all times and you are always clear on who’s who.

The cast: almost perfect. My only issues were with Peter & Susan. Probably the smallest roles and they weren’t bad, they just weren’t particularly special. But they played their parts and their instruments and were fine.

Everyone else was very good to great. Heather Laws will get a Tony nomination for Amy and Barbara Walsh may well get one for Joanne. Laws, besides being a good actress sang Getting Married Today faster & more clearly than I’ve ever heard it done. And she was funny and heartbreaking. AND she just had a baby 4 weeks ago!!! By C-section. And she was all over that stage blowing her French horn and singing and acting the heck out of it. Barbara Walsh brings the word deadpan to new heights. Doing Stritch’s most famous role is a thankless task. Walsh rises to the occasion and does exceedingly well. She nails all the laughs in the part and sings it with as much singular style as Stritch. Her instrumentals are priceless.

Larry – when do you take much note of Larry? Here, that’s where. Bruce Sabath did a great job with a pretty small role and made it something. And he was cute which never hurts.

The Paul’s I’ve seen have been a bit cardboard. This one was sweeter and more vulnerable. And a doll in person.

Harry & Sarah – Sarah can easily outshine Harry, but not in this staging. There’s a great rapport btwn the two and Harry actually emerges like I haven’t seen him do before. I thought about Barbara Barrie for two seconds when the show started and then forgot all about her.

Jenny & David – good performances in the most dated vignette (the pot smoking one). And these two do workmanlike duty as musicians in this show. Jenny is all over the stage playing all number of stringed instruments. David does a lot, too. David is a quiet role but this one got under my skin.

Kathy, April & Marta: Very good, great & superb. They all flesh out the girlfriend roles. Marta’s the flashiest role and this one has a blast with it. She does the comedy well and sings an excellent Another hundred People. I wanted to date her! April has a sweet quirkiness and vulnerability that I’m sure equals Susan Browning’s. Now that I think about it, April or Marta could get a nod, too. Kathy is harder because she doesn’t really emerge until she’s leaving, but you notice this Kathy from the outset. And the staging for You Could Drive a Person Crazy is killer.

Raul – well you know – he just has IT. He does a lot with the fairly underwritten part of Bobby. He speaks volumes with simple movements, gestures and faces. And this man sings the hell out of his songs. Bobby can disappear amongst all the crazy, colorful couples. This Bobby is always in your sights.

The book has been changed a tiny bit. Some of the songs reordered. None of it to any detriment and some to great effect. The story is actually framed a bit better and the two acts make more sense now.

The re-orchestrated music is great. Tempo changes in a few that you wouldn’t think would work but do. Some acoustic guitar added to great effect. No synthesized sounds or 70’s electric guitars which also help to update it. The actors are all accomplished musicians and there are surprises thrown in throughout the show. There were two spots in the show where applause threatened to stop the show.

I really can’t wait to go back.