The reviews are in for Theater Latte Da’s ‘Company’

As Minnesotans prepare to vote on the Marriage Amendment, Theater Latte Da presents a show that questions whether marriage is really that great in the first place.

Steven Sondheim's 'Company' portrays one man's conflicted feelings over making the leap into a longterm commitment, as he sees how marriage affects his friends.

Most critics find this show to be a well-executed gem.

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The cast of Theater Latte Da's 'Company'

Photo by Michal Daniel

From Ed Huyck at City Pages:

Dieter Bierbrauer has been a talented presence and voice in Twin Cities musical theater for several years, providing strong turns in numerous shows, from Power Balladz (which he also performed Off Broadway) to Xanadu to several productions with Theatre Latte Da. In Latte Da's Company, Bierbrauer goes to a new level: In his performance as Bobby, he has become a bona fide star.

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Sara Ochs as Kathy and Dieter Bierbrauer as Bobby in 'Company'

Photo by Michal Daniel

From Graydon Royce at Star Tribune:

Rothstein pulls off a neat trick: He preserves the sensibility of 1970 and introduces the trappings of 2012 to create something timeless...Under the direction of Jerry Rubino, the music sounds fantastic, and the singers are uniformly strong.

This show unfairly gets criticized for lacking heart. Bierbrauer -- under Rothstein's eye -- demonstrates the sincere trepidation of a person who desires marriage in his head, but isn't sure in his heart. It is, after all, a big step.

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Dieter Bierbrauer as Bobby), David Darrow as Paul and Suzy Kohane as Amy in Theater Latte Da's 'Company'

Photo by Michal Daniel

From Chris Hewitt at Pioneer Press:

On opening night, Rothstein and the cast expertly balanced the cynical and romantic aspects of the show, and they've wisely used a '90s revisal of the show in which its dream ballet is omitted, as all dream ballets should be. But, somehow, the production doesn't quite sing.

The intimate McKnight Theatre is perfectly scaled for this razor-focused musical, but the vast set often seems to work against the inventive actors who, one suspects, would be grateful for a bare stage and a couple of chairs.

"Company" runs through November 18 at the Ordway. Have you seen the show? What's your review?