Company--the Long Beach Civic Opera production with Carol Burnett?

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 7:16pm

W

Who saw the 1993 Long Beach Civic Light Opera production of Company, with Patrick Cassidy and Carol Burnett?

I remember when I wrote a paper for a ridiculously easy History of Musical Theatre elective I took which was about the revisions made to Company in the 90s (and why I didn't think they worked--everyone on here knows my thoughts by now :P ) that there was an article before the 1995 revival came out in the Times that mentioned that for a while it was thought that Company was too dated to get a major revival--but that the Long Beach production renewed interest in it (indeed, Veanne Cox is Amy in both productions).  It's funny how in the early 90s Company seemed dated, but now with more distance from the original production (and NOT due to the revisions, if you ask me) it feels less dated.  But I digress.

Anyway, I came across some video of the production on Robert Yacko's youtube channel (he played Paul) and was actually surprised at how strong I found them.  Sure, the design is not impressive (I've read that was a constant issue with Long Beach Light Opera) but the acting and choreography seem better than a lot of revivals I've seen.  I know LBCLO had a rep for casting shows around stars, and have seen clips of their Chess (with Jodi Benson and Yacko) as well as I think I've read that their production of Chicago is what created interest in the Encores/Broadway revival.  

Anyway here's the Jenny and David "pot" scene, with You Could Drive a Person Crazy in the middle of it (with choreography that reminds me an awful lot of what Michael Bennett did in the TOFT video of the 1972 tour I saw).  The other six videos (including Burnett's Ladies who Lunch and Wanda Richert's Tick Tock) can be found at the same link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcHD3HjKGow&list=PLbjLDpyVSZvKfvhfFEpfXjgZfOx1jgQRG&index=7

[carnzee]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 7:33pm

Hey Eric! I'm seeing a regional production next week. Could you link to your thoughts on the 90s revisal? I assume that's the one I will be seeing.

Carol Burnett played Joanne? That is cool! Who knew? I wish she had done Gypsy.

[Almira]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 11:00pm

I saw it. In those days LBCLO did a lot of good  work given  their resources  with many productions inspired by the original. 

 

I remember  the production ve really  solid with Burnett  being effective but not very  layered. 

It was there  production of CHICAGO using the original set and I'm assuming at least  some of the staging that REALLY had people  reacessing the  power of the  show. .aand it starred Be be Neuwirth.

 

I don't  recall how I know this but apparently George Furth REALLY liked the show and suggested Sondheim come take a look. ..but he didn't. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 2:22am

Yes, the 1992 production of CHICAGO recreated Bob Fosse's original staging. Directed by Rob Marshall (who would direct the film adaptation 10 years later),  Ann Reinking was choreographer and she used Bob Fosse's original choreography and in an odd twist from the 1996 Encores! Concert/Broadway revival, she created original choreography for the "Hot Honey Rag".  Juliet Prowse was Roxie and Bebe Neuwirth was Velma, in a black Louise Brooks wig - exactly like Catherine Zeta-Jones wore in the 2002 film adaptation.  Kaye Ballard was Matron "Mama" Morton and Gary Sandy was Billy Flynn.  Original Broadway cast members: Barney Martin (as Amos) and M. O'Haughey (as Mary Sunshine) reprised the roles they created.  

Updated On: 7/24/16 at 02:22 AM

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 11:27am

I saw the Long Beach COMPANY. It was my first time seeing a full production of the show (after having seen the OBC reunion concert earlier that year) and I remember it as being pretty terrific.

Carol Burnett was, of course, the main attraction and had done "Ladies Who Lunch" on PBS's Musical Comedy Tonight a few years before, but I recall being particularly impressed by the other "name" in the cast: Patrick Cassidy as Bobby.

Original L.A. Times review  http://articles.latimes.com/1993-10-04/entertainment/ca-42031_1_long-beach

More YouTube clips (from Robert Yacko, who played Paul in the production):

Side by Side/What Would We Do Without You  https://youtu.be/ySR0AfDhcCc
Getting Married Today  https://youtu.be/-0fosHwCyoI
Barcelona   https://youtu.be/Y3W79rZahZk
The Ladies Who Lunch  https://youtu.be/cG8LbeMCLU4

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 7/24/16 at 11:27 AM