What: The practically perfect Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company, starring the practically perfect Raúl Esparza. He makes me want to cry, he's so good.
Comparable to: In 2005, John Doyle directed a revival of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. He introduced the innovation of having the actors double as the orchestra. It was so remarkably effective that he did it again when he directed Company. Again, remarkably effective!
You might not like it if: You think all musicals = sweetness and light. This one has its darkness, but it's true, true, true.
How to get it: It was recorded live for PBS's Great Performances series and is available on DVD. (Not to be confused with the New York Philharmonic Neil Patrick Harris version, which, granted, is also pretty good.)
Connection to previous Wreckage: Bryan Fuller devotees might recognize Raúl Esparza from his role on Pushing Daisies (Rec. #233) as Alfredo Aldarisio, would-be suitor of Olive Snook. (One of the very terrible things about the cancellation of Pushing Daisies is that he and Kristin Chenoweth never got to do a duet.)
As a bona fide member of the Bryan Fuller Repertory Players, he also shows up in Hannibal (List #29).
[Originally posted 4/8/11.]
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