I think the Company OBC is one of the greats. I usually love hearing revivals and updates and new approaches, but I still think the original 1970 COMPANY has never been topped or improved in subsequent productions, revivals or revisals.
The original orchestra feels both big and Broadway but it captures something about the music of its time and place. I haven't liked the productions that 'updated' COMPANY and tried to make it work in present day...especially the newest version, which was the last thing I got to see on stage before COVID hit. That production, like a lot of the other COMPANY productions I've seen, had some strong performances, some neat ideas (the all-male YOU COULD DRIVE A PERSON CRAZY actually worked, and was my favorite number), and was completely underwhelming.
Case in point: listen to ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE on the OBC....and then the subsequent renditions from revivals. As good as the voices might be on most of those records, the OBC version is a glorious steamroller of a song. The revivals often turn it into a plaintive lament. Just not the same, and nowhere near as exciting. |
