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November 8, 2002
Company fills Waterfront
Strong cast saves musical from lacklustre direction.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
Not everyone was out trick-or-treating on Halloween. The opening
night of
Skycorner Productions' staging of Company at the Waterfront
Theatre on Granville Island was sold out and the audience was treated
to an entertaining, albeit uneven show.
Company is about Robert (Bobby), a bachelor living in New
York who finds himself contemplating his unmarried state on the
night of his 35th birthday. Bobby witnesses his friends – five
married, once married or soon to be married couples – arguing,
planning for divorce, drinking too much and loving each other. He
realizes that, despite the shortcomings of relationships, he would
like to be in one.
Among the six Tony Awards that Stephen Sondheim's Company won in
1970 were best musical, best music, best lyrics and best book. So,
the material is of high quality, and the local production has an
excellent cast and a wonderful onstage instrumental ensemble, led
by musical director Wendy Bross Stuart on keyboard.
Adding to the strengths of the show is an innovative set with a
backdrop of New York City's skyline that combines outdoor elements
such as lampposts with the inside of an apartment, including a couch,
bed and table. But the use of the set was disappointing. The stage
was very crowded at points and the actors' movement (and their energy)
was often restricted. The lighting needed a lot of improvement,
with actors being left in the dark or the seemingly wrong person
lit by the spotlight.
As well, director Rick Tae has a poor sense of timing. As with his
rendition of Falsettos, what should be a fast-paced, witty
musical is often stilted by overly long dramatic pauses in a monologue,
or a extended period in which there is no dialogue.
The biggest weakness of Company, however, is that the lead
role of Bobby was miscast. While Sanders Whiting does a good job,
it was simply hard to see him as a womanizing bachelor. It would
be like casting Danny Kaye or Rick Moranis as a gorgeous romantic
lead.
Company runs until Sunday, Nov. 17, 8 p.m., Tuesdays-Sundays,
with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinées at 2 p.m. (excluding
Nov.10). Regular ticket prices are $34/$29. Tuesdays are two for
$31 and Wednesday matinées are $19. Tickets are $1 more at
door. Call the Festival box office at 604-257-0366.
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