REVIEW ROUNDUP- COMPANY at the NY Philharmonic

The New York Philharmonic presents Stephen Sondheim's groundbreaking Company, with an all-star cast led by Neil Patrick Harris (Robert).

The award-winning musical is being produced and directed by Lonny Price, who directed and co-produced last season's SONDHEIM: The Birthday Concert!, and is being conducted by Sondheim specialist Paul Gemignani, with the original orchestrations for a 35-piece orchestra by Jonathan Tunick. The concert runs through April 9, 2011.

Among those joining Harris in Company for the New York Philharmonic will be Patti LuPone as Joanne, Anika Noni Rose as Marta, Martha Plimpton as Sarah, Jim Walton as Larry and Stephen Colbert as Harry. The company also features Craig Bierko as Peter, Jon Cryer as David, Katie Finneran as Amy, Christina Hendricks as April, Adam Lazar as Paul, Jill Paice as Susan, Jennifer Laura Thompson as Jenny, and Chryssie Whitehead as Kathy.

For more information on the New York Philharmonic's Company, click here.

Stephen Holden, The New York Times: Mr. Harris is a perfectly adequate musical comedy singer, but he lacks the vocal heft to transform his big number, "Being Alive," into a shattering revelation. A song that is really about a deep-seated fear of commitment remained a sensitive expression of timidity and ambivalence, lacking in terror.

In general, this staging of "Company," peopled with actors from television as well as the musical theater, was less interested in outstanding vocal performances than in sustaining dramatic credibility. In its realism, it was the opposite of John Doyle's high-concept 2006 Broadway revival, in which all the characters except Robert wielded musical instruments.

Jocelyn Noveck, ABC News: The songs were mostly wonderful, under the direction of Lony Price, as was the orchestra, conducted by Paul Gemignani. It was clear, though, that a bit more rehearsal time would have been beneficial; the far-flung cast reportedly rehearsed many scenes via stand-ins, Skype and other creative solutions.

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter: The standout, along with Plimpton, is Hendricks as April, her curves packed into a flight attendant's uniform from back when they were called stewardesses. Like many fellow cast members, the "Mad Men" star displays only a capable singing voice. But she has a lovely stage presence and delicious timing. Playing dumb with dignity, she gives Bobby's self-deprecating girlfriend an airy sweetness that recalls Marilyn Monroe.

James C. Taylor, Los Angeles Times: For all its flaws, this wobbly deluxe version (directed by Lonnie Price) is more intoxicating than other major revivals of late (the inventive, if minimal, John Doyle staging in 2008 and the cartoonish Kennedy Center version in 2002). The late George Furth's much maligned book has never seemed funnier thanks to the top-shelf cast and their gifts for improv; yet for all its talent, the cumulative experience of this concert version still doesn't match the joy of listening to the original cast album featuring Ms. Stritch, Beth Howland's frazzled Amy and of course, Dean Jones (you're welcome, Mr. Baldwin) as Bobby.

Thom Geier, Entertainment Weekly: Of the musical theater novices, Colbert probably acquits himself the best. Sondheim is a challenging step up from the works of Rebecca Black ("Friday"), but the comic has a decent suburban church-choir sort of voice. He also proves himself more than game in the surprisingly physical comedy bits with his karate-practicing stage wife, Martha Plimpton. At one point, the red-sweatered Comedy Central star even finds himself carrying both Plimpton and Harris in a move worthy of a Chinese acrobat.

As directed by Lonny Price, this Company comes off with far more polish than one might have expected under the circumstances. In the end, it's hard to escape the exuberance of Sondheim's melodies or, as Harris sings in the finale, to resist the joy of "Being Alive."

Elisabeth Vincentelli, NY Post: Even with Jonathan Tunick's expanded arrangements, the pop-inflected "Company" may not be the best showcase for a symphony. Of course the Phil sounded great, but this spring gala was supposed to be its big night; too often the group seemed a mere backdrop for the stars.

As an event, this uneven "Company" felt special. Musically, it was like a young couple working out the kinks in their marriage.

Scott Brown, NY Magazine: What it adds up to is Dancing With the Stars for Broadway nerds, and I'm absolutely fine with that. In fact, I felt like I was watching the high-school drama club get back together - all my favorite theater dorks, popping on their straw boaters and singing "Side by Side." Maybe that's the proper deployment of celebrity dissonance: Look (your brain fools you into believing): It's those good and crazy people, my friends! Those good and crazy people my faaaaamous friends!

Photo Credit: Chris Lee