(from Broadway Box, 4/26; via Pam Green.)
At the Alvin Theatre on April 26, 1970, the name Bobby became not only a powerhouse role in musical theatre history but also a lush orchestral “overture” and exclamation by Manhattan couples in Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical Company.
Broadway audiences met vibrantly, unique couples, each character hilarious, charismatic, and at times zany in their own way – not to mention the three singles Bobby is pursuing that confess he could drive a person crazy. At the end of the musical comedy comes a Sondheim anthem that has been covered by Broadway’s absolute finest, “Being Alive.” After considering marriage or staying single on the eve of his 35th birthday, Bobby expresses himself through this sensational song.
On the anniversary of the musical’s opening night, it seems like no better time than the present to run our all time ultimate YouTube countdown of our favorite performances of Stephen Sondheim’s “Being Alive” from Company
20. John Barrowman, Carol Burnett, George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall and Bronson Pinchot
We have to shout out this gorgeous Jonathan Tunick arranged performance of the song from Broadway’s Putting It Together in 1999. Ruthie’s entire vocal line but especially at 0:49 – 1:00 is ::chef’s kiss:: This number is so lovely.
19. Julian Ovenden
What a voice! Julian puts this stunning old school crooner quality to the Sondheim tune. He really takes off with that clap at 3:09. That magnificent orchestra too is beautiful.
18. Telly Leung
Telly’s voice does. not. quit! So, so great. We love the quiet moments at 1:05. This is such a fantastic interpretation and we absolutely love 1:48 – 2:00.
17. Adam Driver
Remember when we all dropped everything when we heard Adam Driver was singing Sondheim in his Netflix film Marriage Story? Here’s why. Adam not only so authentically performs the number (and the rest of COMPANY’s characters’ lines) in the film that it still is wowing us. Act.Ing.
