The Heights Players Stage A 95% Perfect "COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                           Sondheim's musical on marriage, first done back in 1970, still has relevance and meaning today, and let me start out by saying that the women in this production are sublime.

                              Anna Peterson, as Marta, delivers my favorite song here, "Another Hundred People," with all the passion and resonance it requires.  It is no surprise that she stops the show.  Ditto Rachel Thomson, who delivers the swiftly pattering "Getting Married Today" with skill and diction allowing the audience to understand every word.  She also stops the show.  So does Luisa Boyaggi as Joanne, who, in "The Ladies Who Lunch," makes the song her own, rather than trying to replicate Elaine Stritch, as I have seen so many do.  And Naomi Rottman is an endearing April.

                                 All the women are endearing.  As for the men, well, less so, but when joined in ensemble numbers, like "Have I Got A Girl For You," they become united and powerful.  This is especially evident with the opening, title number, which starts the show on an almost impossibly high bar but then goes on to live up to it.

                                    Have I mentioned Hilary Goldman's direction, Anne Rebold's musical direction, and Alice Kee's choreography.??????????? These also make the show, and all demonstrate an understanding of the show musically, vocally, and choreographically.  In numbers like "Side By Side" and "What Would We Do Without You,?" one can see the influence of Michael Bennett.  That is because Bennett choreographed the original show, and Kee was smart in following it, as it also foreshadows "A Chorus Line."  Audiences are sometimes confused why Kathy (Skylar Davidson) suddenly comes into Bobby's living room, and starts dancing, while he and April are in bed.  That is because Bennett created this moment for Donna McKechnie, who was in the original production, and would go on to originate Cassie in "A Chorus Line."  Davidson's dancing is impressive, and her movements perfectly align with McKechnie's.  How I would love to see her play Cassie.

                                     So, why only a 95% score?  I am afraid Christopher Herr's Bobby, while acted superbly, and physically suited for the role, is less so vocally.  His rendering of "Marry Me A Little" does not end Act One with the impact it should.  As for "Being Alive," hons, his voice is just not strong enough.  He does not hurt the show but fails to lift it higher to one hundred per cent.

                                      Which does not mean one should miss this "COMPANY."  It plays till this Sunday, so I would say don't miss it. How often does one get to see theater as good as this????????????

                                       Not that often.  Which is all the more reason to go and see it, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!