Original Cast Album: Company

1970's ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM: COMPANY is yet another stellar documentary from director D.A. Pennebaker, an hourlong delve into the grueling marathon recording of the Broadway cast album for the musical Company.  It was recorded a few days after the show opened, apparently a typical practice.  As composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim recalls on one of this film's audio commentaries, Pennebaker was never obtrusive to his subjects, perching the camera on his shoulder as if it were a parrot - and part of the background.  You really should listen to this film's commentaries (the other features Pennebaker, show producer Harold Prince, and cast member Elaine Stritch); they are a wealth of fascination.

And that describes this entire doc, one of those rare ones I felt should've been longer.  But I can watch artists rehearse for hours on end.  The process is inspiring.  I marvel at their talent and sometimes feel envious of it.  Uber genius Sondheim, as intriguing a film subject as I've seen lately, patiently guides the performers to give the best possible take, trying to teach some how to pronounce "bubie" instead of "bobbie" or lightly dressing down others to get the phrasing right.  His music is complex, intelligent, and memorable.   I really wish I could've seen this original show, but I was only one year old at the time.

I particularly enjoyed that this film evoked memories of my own experiences in this realm.  I was in a Christmas pageant ("The Singing Christmas Tree") at my church for several years and although it was far from Broadway, it was quite a large production of its type.  We did the tech rehearsals, the endless run throughs.  The tedious redos and reimaginings of tempos of each song.  Soloists were put through the ringer.  COMPANY shows the weariness of its cast as the hours grow wee, just like our dress rehearsals that dragged on 'till 1 AM the week of opening night.  Dean Jones, who plays Bobby, laments around the 3 A.M. mark that he can barely spit at that hour, let alone sing.  But he does, quite well.  Those only familiar with his work in Disney films and later on the evangelism circuit may be surprised by his scenes here.  His renditions of "Being Alive" and "Barcelona" (with Susan Browning) are quite strong and affecting.

Also interesting for me is the footage of Beth Howland - best known for her role as Vera on the TV show Alice - as Amy.  She nearly gives herself a hernia trying to spit out the impossibly fast "Getting Married Today."  When an actor is so identified with one character it is always a surprise and a delight to see their range elsewhere.

But Elaine Stritch? This documentary belongs to her.  The latter part of COMPANY focuses on her difficulty with "The Ladies Who Lunch".  These clips are nothing short of legendary, especially a long, unbroken shot as she struggles with instructions to take it down a half step.  We watch and marvel.  What a performer, so unique, even when she's supposedly failing.  Sondheim and company shake their heads in disappointment.  Stritch hears a playback and tells herself to shut up.  By this point the rest of the cast had gone home, and the singer is exhausted.  The white flag would finally be raised, but a few days later Stritch returns to the studio to utterly nail it.  Yes, we get to see this triumph.

Mr. Sondheim died last month at the age of ninety-one.  Said commentary was recorded only this year.  He still sounds lucid and perhaps even ready to give the world more of his genius.  R.I.P.  Get the Criterion disc (or subscribe to the Criterion Channel) to see this gem of a film.  Kudos, kudos, and kudos to Pennebaker.  Backstage rarely gets better.  You might even find a love for show tunes by the end of it.