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 enlarge | Director: John Doyle
Actor: Raul Esparza
Studio: IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Category: DVD
List Price: $24.99
Buy New: $15.50
You Save: $9.49 (38%)
New (36) Used (8) from $14.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 4099
Format: Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Enhanced, Ntsc, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 132
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: IMED4480D
UPC: 014381448023
EAN: 0014381448023
ASIN: B0014IC31G
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: May 20, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Five Star Seller!!! New, factory sealed US Region 1 DVD. Item is 100% guaranteed not to be a bootleg or import. Item is shipped directly from our warehouse. Easy exchange if item defective or damaged in shipped.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Bobby Baby, Bobby Bubbe, Bobby... October 21, 2008
I have always thought that Company was one of Sondheim's more intellectual musicals, where among the rest of the plays dealing with the complexities of marriage, it seems to capture the most distilled sense of what it means to be married. This being said, i never thought it would go beyond a cursory look of how dysfunctional marriages tend to be. The original production explored this issue with a fair amount of restraint, but this new production got so raw, you tend to forget that they're actors onstage. This production touched a nerve, to the point i internally debated turning it off for a while. I think that's what's interesting about the way this was done; beyond the actor/musician thing, and the multiple vantage points, everything seemed to be so REAL. As much as i am tempted to shower Raul Esparza with praises (which he obviously deserves), this is more the ensemble's triumph.
See this show, and be prepared to ask a lot of questions regarding your own relationships after.
Brilliant performance of brilliant, sophisticated musical theater October 20, 2008
"Company" is musical theater for a sophisticated audience - filled with the bitingly clever lyrics and musical complexity that typify the best of Sondheim. "Company" consists of a series of vignettes exploring the nature of relationships seen through the eyes of 35 year old, single Bobby - and the truthfulness expressed will certainly resonate with people of a similar age.
The production is striking with director John Doyle employing his trademark schtick of the performers singing, acting, AND performing the music (for another example of this you should listen to the excellent Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)). Raul Esparza as Bobby leads an incredibly talented cast.
The extras are excellent and consist of:
- A lengthy interview with Sondheim
- A revealing interview with Raul Esparza
- Interview with Director John Doyle
Amazing. October 10, 2008
There are not nearly enough video recorded broadway shows. This is one of the best available. Entertaining but not without some depth.
 Fine production of a lackluster musical October 4, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Loving the theater, I am always excited to see a staged performance captured on DVD. I hope more and more will be forthcoming. Therefore I am loath to say anything negative about any such offering. However, I didn't particularly care for Company. Let me be clear, it is not the production itself but the source material I did not enjoy.
This production is my first experience with Company. I just did not enjoy Sondheim's score or the story. It was all pretty depressing and glum. The point of view felt rather cynical and jaded. I couldn't identify or recognize anything desirable in the characters or relationships. Some of the dialogue had a very dated feel (though expected in a musical from 1970, it was not enjoyed). It felt bound to a time and place - not one filled with wonder and excitement, but one that I am glad has been left behind. One I have no joy in visiting.
On the positive side, Raul Esparza did a wonderful job in the lead. He made the character endearing and likable enough. He is a very talented singer and actor (I loved him in the recording of Jonathan Larson's Tick... Tick...Boom!). The rest of the ensemble was also generally good. There were several humorous moments despite the general melancholy feel. The sparse staging and the actors doubling as instrumentalists took a bit of getting used to, but it was successful enough in the end. I will not go so far as to say it added to the production, but it was passable. I do wonder if such technique should be used if it does not truly enhance the material, though. Doesn't one wish to see the best staging possible? I am not sure this is it.
If you like Company or are a raging fan of Sondheim, I would highly recommend you check out this production. The talented cast and innovative staging just couldn't overcome the material itself for me. Certainly that is a matter of taste.
Broadway Live On Stage October 3, 2008
I loved Company when I saw it on Broadway, but the concept, with the actors working with musical instruments in hand during the performance, was distracting and took away from the show. But here, with the camera able focus on individual players, one at a time, it works. It works better than it did on Stage. Raul Esparza is terrific throughout, and the Sondheim score is, at turns, beautiful, funny and relevant throughout.
This is a real triumph and a real gift from PBS.
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