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Regional Reviews: Washington, D.C. Company Also see Susan's recent reviews of At the Wedding and Penelope
Where composer/lyricist Sondheim and bookwriter Furth focused on Bobby, a New Yorker turning 35 while he observes the lives of his best friends, five married couples, Elliott (with Sondheim's approval) gender-swapped the character. Now Bobbie (Britney Coleman) is facing the big birthday; she seems to have her life together, but her married friends and the men she dates stir up her anxieties as they project their hopes and expectations onto her. Coleman brings great warmth to Bobbie, whose life looks good to her at the moment, but she has her doubts about the future. Liam Steel's choreography peaks in "Tick Tock," as Bobbie watches avatars of herself dealing with babies and other theoretical future stresses. Judy McLane triumphs as cynical Joanne, the wealthy woman in the sparkling dress (designed by Bunny Christie) who brings a touch of manic energy to "The Ladies Who Lunch." Other standouts include Matt Rodin as sweet Jamie, having a nervous breakdown on the morning of his marriage to Paul (Jhardon DiShon Milton); Jacob Dickey as winsome flight attendant Andy, who perhaps Bobbie likes because he doesn't think too much; Tyler Hardwick as hipster PJ, who unleashes "Another Hundred People" and leads the close harmony on "You Could Drive a Person Crazy"; and Derrick Davis as Larry, Joanne's husband and stabilizing influence. Christie also designed the set, which consists of several fairly small, interlocking white boxes that suggest dioramas and focus the audience's attention. Often too many actors crowd into a space, dramatizing Bobbie's emotional claustrophobia. Company runs through March 31, 2024, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Opera House, 2700 F St. NW, Washington DC. For tickets and information, please call 800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600 or visit www.kennedy-center.org. For information on the tour, visit companymusical.com Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Cast: |
