in homepage from: 03/04/2026 - currently Company is a musical that I watched a few years ago, the version I originally saw was the one with the New York Philharmonic and I did like it! But I feel like for some reason, back then, it didn't really hit as it should have. Of course since I first watched it I've had "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby baby, Bobby Bubi!!" come up to my head randomly, and I really enjoy LuPone's version of Ladies Who Lunch, but that was mostly it.
I recently watched the 2006 Broadway Revival, and oh my God, it hit me like a truck. Might be this version in specific, might be the age, or even the obvious fact that I kinda see myself in Bobby. I also think it's a musical that hits more the older (and more lonely) you get, and boy oh boy...
Raul Esparza is so good, his version of Being Alive both breaks and melts my heart, this song is NOT for the weak loners and touch starved (and by this I mean ME!!). Esparza did an amazing job as Bobby, he sounds to defeated, and yet, so hopeful.
Being Alive is such a vulnerable song that I can't listen to that often because it gives me too many feelings, it just really hits too close to home. I cried like a baby when I watched this version. Oh my God, Sondheim, how do you do it, motherfucker?
I've also been enjoying the original cast. I really like how the musical works no matter the tone it goes for; even though I like the more minimalist version of the 2006 revival I also enjoy the more colorful vibe of the original and the humor on the New York Philharmonic, but for the opening song my favorite version is definitely the one from the original cast, it's just so full of life, it's one of these songs that fills me with energy any time I need a little boost! Such a fun song that sticks with you. Honorable mention to Getting Married Today that's a classic "Sondheim loves to make difficult songs", Heather Laws is definitely my favorite Amy.
Poor Baby is also one of my favorites, it's super fun in the original scene and such a fun song on its own, maybe because of the mini-reprises or the intro song. Also the original cast honestly sounds so fun I wish I could watch it besides that short movie of the cast they did T_T the downside of enjoying musicals "a little bit too late".
And lastly, although mentioned before, Ladies Who Lunch. It's a bit hard to pick a favorite because of how unique they are and how much each actress brings to their own interpretation, Elaine Stritch as the original is simply unbeatable; As mentioned before, LuPone's was the first version I heard, and hers is the one more on the song-side if that makes sense? Like for example, in her version, the "I'll drink to that" after the "Another vodka stinger" is just a high note instead of a scream, which is fine and I enjoy it, but it's an example of what I mean lol after years of hearing LuPone's version, finally hearing Elaine's version caught me off-guard, it was like listening to the song for the first time altogether, they are so different yet so beautiful in their own way. Elaine is so full of raw emotions, the frustrations and even resentment of Joanne as a character, watching her perform it's just so great, she sings the fuck out of this song, I adore it! And last but not least, Barbara Walsh's version. Barbara is definitely my favorite version of Joanne (I feel like the kid from the "that's my favorite!" meme but the revival is just so spot on with the cast!) which makes me feel like her version of Ladies Who Lunch might be my favorite. Hers is like a beautiful mix of the song and the snarky nature of the performance, the melancholy and minimalism that I really love from the revival is on point for this song too, it makes Joanne exposing her feelings more elevated with less of a spectacle and it really comes up as a drunk rant for both Bobby and us, ooh Barbara Walsh, the woman that you are!
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