Company

Steven Sodheim (Sweeny Todd) is always interesting, particularly when directed by John Doyle. Doyle started directing musicians when doing small community theater where funding was tight. He has continues to enjoy using musicians as actors and make actors play musical instruments on stage. While some plays would suffer under this gimmick, Sodheim's work seems well suited to such staging. Company is a fun, modern romp through the fields of marriage and commitment-phobes. Something to hum to.

Robert (Raúl Esparza) is being surprised on his birthday by five of his 'couple' friends. Through the course of the evening flashbacks, we learn about the tough and difficult times some of the couples have had making their marriages work, some appearing not too enjoyable yet we learn they seem to serve some positive purpose to those in them. Robert revisits three women he dated, struggling through why he couldn't commit and if now, possibly, he could. While the commitment phobic bachelor isn't exactly a new character, it is quite fun putting all the supporting characters to life with song. You Could Drive A Person Crazy was particularly fun with the three women bouncing off each other, nicely choreographed. Some song are rather grating and jolting, particularly the recurring notes of how they sing his name "Bobby". But overall the songs and goofy stereotypes - airhead stewardess, ladies who lunch, fighting couple (literally) - are fun and frolicy. The Plexiglas stage is sleek and 80s modern. While I don't think the story truly goes anywhere, I did have fun watching Bobby's ride. Still thought him a schmuck by play's end.