Raul Esparza - Being Alive (Company) Reaction! : Behind the Curve Reacts

[@rebeccaserfass3777]

For me, this is the definitive version of Company. I like the NPH 2007 production, but it’s a bit more kitschy and fun, while this production has more meat. The staging was brilliant, with a really fantastic use of space. The performances were extraordinary, both in terms of acting, and acting / singing while also playing instruments. Be sure to check out the version of Ladies Whoo Lunch, which is just amazingly powerful. Met by stunned silence by the audience.

[@Haleyncasey]

NPH 2007 production? Do you mean NPH as in Neil Patrick Harris? Do you mean Raul Esparza?

[@googygok]

This is the best recorded production of COMPANY.

[@robwilliamson5082]

This is entire production is amazing! One of my favorite proshot shows

[@kaileyir6554]

I adore this production! The cast members are all amazing and I love how they all play instruments throughout the show. The set is so nice too

[@danatjoh]

This production is very nice since the actors play the instruments as well and it is dramaturgically added to the story. It is very interesting to look at this element.

[@rodeldevera3229]

Raul is the best !

[@theVstop]

The 2006 production was amazing. Also Raul in the HAIR benefit concert is amazing.

[@ravehp2]

Must watch Rauls version!! This is the ultimate number but he is the main character here so definitely watch

[@RC-vv6nr]

Wow, just wow ....Esparza by far the Best performance ever...Saw both and hands down Raul was phenomenal....

[@avapatino6058]

After just watching every different main version of Being Alive on youtube I have a reason why I think Raul Esparza's version works best. It comes down to the simple fact that it is a very conceptual musical, and when you treat it like it's not it falls flat. The reason The 2006 prediction works so well to me, is that it actively leans into it. No costume changes, all black. Minimal props and sets. It lands like it should. All inside your mind. It's not a show with close and coherent costume changes, it's bearly even got a timeline. When you add flashy costumes and set to it, it just comes off confusing.The fact that the actors play their own instruments adds another layer of brechtian alienation, though it has the effect of bringing it all closer.It gives all the couples something in common instead of just being random people in this life. It alienates the audience giving us the reminder of it existing inside our minds but also gives more of a sense of cohesion. The three girlfriends on the saxs. The complementing musical instruments. Bobby not playing until the end. It gives a throughline that is lacking in many productions, and that makes the weaker without it. I love the set as well, I think that company should always be set in a blackbox type, and the drama blacks. I think it was very clever for the costume designer to play with texture instead. Also, Raul is phenomenal. he really has the ability to just fucking deliver a song without having to make it about him. His acting never feels put upon. He can truly, stand a sing. his nervous and tentative energy at the beginning. The active choice we see him make in opening the piano is so different from his confident assertions we see him make about marriage earlier in the play, he's nervous, and frankly he should be. It means he cares, which is his whole arc throughout. the change from thinking he's alright, and therefore not having to care and question his assertions, to actively being scared. He's not thinking it's going to be perfect. He's not looking for that anymore, he's not even expecting that from himself (another reason why him playing the piano is so interesting and demonstrative in this production.) he's not looking for his "warm Johann sweet jenny loving Susan crazy Amy" or for someone to "marry [him] a little" okay this is becoming a being alive appreciation post but I guess my love of it is how Raul keeps Bobby likable throughout while showing both. He delivers confidence in the beginning and the terrifying vulnerability at the end while never playing it too hard. He just is. He is and he changes and when he changes you can forget you're even watching a play. I love his performance.

[@sayit2myinterface]

YESS great reaction! You absolutely should react to the whole show if you ever get the chance. Between this and the 2011 cast, I definitely prefer this version, especially because of Raul’s performance. Though both casts are good! And yes, this is the actual stage show; it was filmed live and aired on PBS at some point. Also fun fact: in this revival, the cast is also the orchestra!

[@matthewhearn9910]

It's called an "en muso" production, the same director also did this with Sweeney Todd (with Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone in the leads) which I was fortunate enough to see from the third row in December 2005.

[@sayit2myinterface]

@@matthewhearn9910 no way! That is amazing! What I wouldn’t have given to see Patti Lupone playing the tuba 😭

[@amandas.6500]

I loved "Not Getting Married Today" that was clever & well done!

[@StargirlWithALibrary]

Company is one of the most amazing things ever written by Sondheim. Raul played the lead flawlessly -- and he was *robbed* of the Tony that year, he should have won. The entire thing was purposely set up so that they casted actors who could also play the instruments, so that they could keep everything in one space with a limited cast. Raul Esparza has the most flawless breath control of any singer that has ever braced a Broadway stage. The performance you saw of him in Chess was when he had a throat infection, and so he had to sing-talk instead of his usual performance, hence why it felt just under par of his usual sorts of performances.

[@francotan502]

The Raul Esparza cast is soooo much better

[@Ernestodonayread5053]

you should watch both and compare them, personally i prefer the raul version, he was nominated for a tony awards for this musical.

[@MichaelYoder1961]

I think Esparza did the best version of this

[@raybear0801]

I'd love to know if you ever did watch the Raul version? Full disclosure, my wife and I were at this very performance - we saw it two prior times and then saw the last show (when it was being recorded). My wife, who is a Broadway purist and is familiar with all the versions of Company, hands down loves this performance more than Larry Kert, NPH or anyone else who has ever done company. She considers this the definitive Company, hands down. Would love to know if you ever did watch it and what you thought?

[@karentecott640]

You really should watch the whole thing but also the great documentary about the making of the original production cast album. This is a production. Watch him in Tic Tic Boom also.

[@Tom81196]

It's that good.

[@marygreene3003]

PBS Great Performances just did a documentary on Company. Def watch. Part now changed to female Bobbie. 5/22

[@maryrausch36]

React to Raul Esparza's performance at the Kennedy Center of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. You will be amazed.

[@phoenixfire124]

My fav is Raul Esparza ss Bobby.

[@alphapockets]

Late to the party, but if you're still looking for Raul, its hard to find but petrified from Taboo!

[@ShadowoftheShades]

I've seen and enjoyed both productions. I would say this particular production would be the best to watch first. The ensemble w/ NPH is fun, and I am always partial to watch Patti LuPone anytime. But the 2006 ensemble capture the somber themes better than 2011's cast. The orchestral decisions are really unique too.

[@raylenereed2387]

Lmao it’s not even close. Raúl has the best Bobby by far.

[@behindthecurvereacts]

Well this was so powerful and incredible I find it hard to believe that anyone could do it better than Raul lol

[@raylenereed2387]

@@behindthecurvereacts just to answer your questions from the video. I believe this was the proshot version. It looks like the actual set from the show. Raúl did perform it at the Tony Awards though (even tho he was robbed of a Tony for this). The band you mention is actually the rest of the cast. John Doyle had them each play an instrument throughout the show. Also yes, NPH plays Bobby in his version as well. And if you’re looking for a more vocally demanding song from Chess, try Pity the Child. Raúl sings it.

[@behindthecurvereacts]

@@raylenereed2387 pity the child, I will definitely put that on the list! So Raul is way better than NPH, but what about the entire cast?

[@raylenereed2387]

@@behindthecurvereacts I haven’t seen the entire NPH version but I’ve heard his versions of most of the songs, so I won’t comment on the rest of the cast.

[@behindthecurvereacts]

@@raylenereed2387 I appreciate your honesty. Thank you so much for answering my questions :)

[@annacairns]

Company is amazing! It’s the full show. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4rMaHt8hb2MpZo If you want a lighter solo, Hushabye Mountain from Chitty.

[@emmamiele5850]

Definitely the 2006 version, but I’m unfortunately only familiar with Raúl Esparza out of the whole cast of that version.

[@jackal59]

Barbara Walsh was Tony-nominated for _Falsettos_ and plays Joanne in this version. Her "Ladies Who Lunch" is literally stunning; I don't think the audience was breathing at the end.

[@karentecott640]

The 2011 was a concert version. You need to see Stritch do Lady's Who Lunch.

[@jennifersaar1611]

Patti LuPone does an amazing version as well.

[@jennifermorris6848]

Amazing! If you believe the character changes his approach to life during the middle of the song then the song has been performed well. Some oversing this and don’t do it well.

[@amandas.6500]

Interesting how they used the orchestra members. They blur with the cast members.

[@StargirlWithALibrary]

they purposely casted actors who could actually play the instruments because that was what Sondheim originally intended for the musical in the first place. They had to be able to sing, act, *and* play the instrument.

[@RocketRoketto]

The fact he got a divorce the year before is even more heartbreaking

[@oliviarivera3680]

I would watch the NPH version. I think its more fun!

[@oliviarivera3680]

I don't think Rauls version is very representative of the original. its beautiful for sure and an interesting concept but it doesn't have the same flavor in my opinion. I think you would get bored. and although the NPH cast may not be as vocally comparable technique wise they are still great and their energy and acting is incredible and funny and dynamic. also you need to see Patti lupone do ladies who lunch.

[@justinnaniong7872]

Raul is probably a better Bobby, but the NPH production is a better introduction to the musical imho. It's a concert version meaning that it's almost entirely dependent on the score and "plot". The Raul Esparza revival is a more unconventional production with the actors playing instruments. Since the quality isn't that far off anyway, I would suggest watching the NPH production since you can focus more on the songs rather than the directorial choices so you can better appreciate the show itself rather than the production.