John Doyle's 2006 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical—revolving around an unmarried, commitment-phobic man named Bobby (Raúl Esparza) and his friends—follows the cabaret pattern of Sondheim's earlier version of Sweeney Todd in using a minimalist set and a cast who also serve as the instrumentalists. Quite frankly the sight of them lugging around flutes, trumpets, saxes, violins, cellos, and even a bass as they deliver their lines or vocalize is distracting (fortunately, the piano remains stationary), and many will prefer other available productions in which the orchestra remains offstage. But once you become accustomed to the odd convention, the intimate performance of this Tony Award-winner, shot before a live audience at New York's Ethel Barrymore Theatre, is both solid and well-sung. In fact with its excellent sound (Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on the standard DVD and DTS-HD Master 5.1 on the Blu-ray disc) and remarkably fluid camerawork, this is a strong version of a show that actually seems to improve over the years. DVD/Blu-ray extras include interviews with Doyle and Esparza, as well as a lengthy and absorbing conversation between Sondheim and interviewer Jonathan Biggins, in which the composer-lyricist discusses his entire career, offering incisive recollections about his work, as well as his colleagues and collaborators. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Company
(2007) 132 min. DVD: $14.99, Blu-ray: $29.98. Image Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 23, Issue 5
Company
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