Company

I'm currently rehearsing for a production of Sondheim's brilliant 1970 musical Company which marks my return to the stage after almost (gasp) ten years and my first musical in more years than I care to count.

Approaching this musical for the first time I'm quite in awe of the complexity of the score. This ain't easy. I've sung Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Strauss, and Eaton and this ranks up with the trickiest of them. I give great credit to my colleagues, most of whom have not had the musical background I do, in mastering this quite difficult music.

The play is a quite perceptive view of married and non-married life and I quite relate to Bobby's plight. If there is a more heart-breaking song then "Being Alive", I don't know it.

Finally a nod to George Furth, who wrote the book and who passed away only a few weeks ago. Much of the credit for this groundbreaking play goes to him.

More Beer

In view of my recent Music as Beer metaphor, I thought I should mention that at least beer commercials have been the source of some classic jingles. Remember "Schaefer is the one beer to have when you're having more than one", which, despite encouraging over imbibing, is a good tune.

I'm also fond of "When you say Bud" (the commercial, not the beer).