Stage Production Notes
Company marked composer Stephen Sondheim’s seventh full-length musical. The show was developed from a one act play by writer George Furth. In Finishing the Hat, Sondheim describes Company as “the first Broadway musical whose defining quality was neither satire nor sentiment, but irony.”
Following try-outs in Boston, Company opened at the Alvin Theatre in New York on April 26, 1970 and ran for 706 performances. The production won a slew of awards, including the 1971 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Musical.
Company opened on the West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre in January 1972, and ran for 344 performances. It was revived on the West End at the Donmar Warehouse in 1996.
Company was first revived on Broadway in 1995 starring Boyd Gains. A two-night only special concert production had also been staged at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in 1993.
The second revival opened in 2006 under the direction of John Doyle (see Filmed Production Notes below).
In 2011, the New York Philharmonic staged a concert version directed by Lonny Price, and featuring an all-star cast. The sold-out concert was filmed and released in cinemas, and later on DVD.
Company has been performed around the world. A controversial run in Australia in 2007 saw Sondheim threaten to revoke the rights. Produced by fledgling musical theatre company Kookaburra, the show had no understudies. Shortly after opening night, the actor playing April became ill, and artistic director Peter Cousens decided to cut the role of April entirely for one performance. The cut was reported around the world, and an understudy was quickly prepared.
A new production directed by Marianne Elliott featuring Rosalie Craig playing a female Bobbie, and Patti LuPone in the role of Joanne, opened on the West End in October 2018. The production received rave reviews, and was scheduled to open on Broadway starring Katrina Lenk and Patti LuPone in March 2020. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, the latest Broadway revival is currently on hold.
Company marked composer Stephen Sondheim’s seventh full-length musical. The show was developed from a one act play by writer George Furth. In Finishing the Hat, Sondheim describes Company as “the first Broadway musical whose defining quality was neither satire nor sentiment, but irony.”
Following try-outs in Boston, Company opened at the Alvin Theatre in New York on April 26, 1970 and ran for 706 performances. The production won a slew of awards, including the 1971 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Musical.
Company opened on the West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre in January 1972, and ran for 344 performances. It was revived on the West End at the Donmar Warehouse in 1996.
Company was first revived on Broadway in 1995 starring Boyd Gains. A two-night only special concert production had also been staged at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in 1993.
The second revival opened in 2006 under the direction of John Doyle (see Filmed Production Notes below).
In 2011, the New York Philharmonic staged a concert version directed by Lonny Price, and featuring an all-star cast. The sold-out concert was filmed and released in cinemas, and later on DVD.
Company has been performed around the world. A controversial run in Australia in 2007 saw Sondheim threaten to revoke the rights. Produced by fledgling musical theatre company Kookaburra, the show had no understudies. Shortly after opening night, the actor playing April became ill, and artistic director Peter Cousens decided to cut the role of April entirely for one performance. The cut was reported around the world, and an understudy was quickly prepared.
A new production directed by Marianne Elliott featuring Rosalie Craig playing a female Bobbie, and Patti LuPone in the role of Joanne, opened on the West End in October 2018. The production received rave reviews, and was scheduled to open on Broadway starring Katrina Lenk and Patti LuPone in March 2020. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, the latest Broadway revival is currently on hold.
Filmed Production Notes
John Doyle’s 2006 revival followed on from his highly acclaimed 2005 production of an actor-muso driven Sweeney Todd.
The actor-musician production of Company premiered at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in 2006 and quickly attracted the attention of Broadway producers.
Company transferred to Broadway, beginning previews in late October 2006 before officially opening on November 29, 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The production received high critical praise, and earned multiple awards, including the 2007 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
New York Times theatre critic Ben Brantley described the production as an “elegant, unexpectedly stirring revival.” Critics praised Raul Esparza’s portrayal of Bobby, and the use of musical instruments by the ensemble to enhance the isolation of his character.
Following 34 previews and 247 performances, the second revival of Company closed on July 1, 2007.
A month before closing, it was announced that the revival would be filmed for PBS’ Great Performances. Two performances were captured for the broadcast, both filmed on June 30, the second last day of the run. The capture was directed by Lonny Price, who later directed the 2011 New York Philharmonic production.
PBS aired the production on Great Performances in February 2008. The film was well-received. The Times-Picayune theatre critic David Cuthbert described it as “a transporting theater-television experience.”
Company was released on DVD and Blu-Ray late in 2011. The release also received favorable reviews, with Blu-Ray.com critic Michael Ruben praising the sound quality and advantage of not being distracted by the “rustling, talking and ringing phones” of a live audience.
The Blu-Ray release included interviews with Sondheim (filmed at the 2007 Kookaburra production), Raul Esparza, and director John Doyle.
Company was briefly available to stream online at Amazon and BroadwayHD. It is now available to watch on DVD and Blu-Ray (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from these links).
John Doyle’s 2006 revival followed on from his highly acclaimed 2005 production of an actor-muso driven Sweeney Todd.
The actor-musician production of Company premiered at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in 2006 and quickly attracted the attention of Broadway producers.
Company transferred to Broadway, beginning previews in late October 2006 before officially opening on November 29, 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The production received high critical praise, and earned multiple awards, including the 2007 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
New York Times theatre critic Ben Brantley described the production as an “elegant, unexpectedly stirring revival.” Critics praised Raul Esparza’s portrayal of Bobby, and the use of musical instruments by the ensemble to enhance the isolation of his character.
Following 34 previews and 247 performances, the second revival of Company closed on July 1, 2007.
A month before closing, it was announced that the revival would be filmed for PBS’ Great Performances. Two performances were captured for the broadcast, both filmed on June 30, the second last day of the run. The capture was directed by Lonny Price, who later directed the 2011 New York Philharmonic production.
PBS aired the production on Great Performances in February 2008. The film was well-received. The Times-Picayune theatre critic David Cuthbert described it as “a transporting theater-television experience.”
Company was released on DVD and Blu-Ray late in 2011. The release also received favorable reviews, with Blu-Ray.com critic Michael Ruben praising the sound quality and advantage of not being distracted by the “rustling, talking and ringing phones” of a live audience.
The Blu-Ray release included interviews with Sondheim (filmed at the 2007 Kookaburra production), Raul Esparza, and director John Doyle.
Company was briefly available to stream online at Amazon and BroadwayHD. It is now available to watch on DVD and Blu-Ray (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from these links).
Company PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Producer: Darren Bagert, Robert G Bartner, Bonnie Comley, Stewart F Lane, David Horn, Madoka Imura, Nagamitsu Endo, Ellen M Krass, Morton Swinsky
Book: George Furth
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Direction and Musical Staging: John Doyle, film: Lonny Price
Musical Director: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Orchestrations: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Dance arrangements and incidental music:
Scenic Design: David Gallo
Costume Design: Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
Sound Design: Andrew Keister
Hair and Wig Design: David Lawrence
Make-Up Design: Angelina Avallone
Stage Manager: Iris Merlis
Cast:
Raúl Esparza (Bobby), Barbara Walsh (Joanne), Keith Buterbaugh (Harry), Matt Castle (Peter), Robert Cunningham (Paul), Angel Desai (Marta), Kelly Jeanne Grant (Kathy), Kristin Huffman (Sarah), Amy Justman (Susan), Heather Laws (Amy), Leenya Rideout (Jenny), Fred Rose (David), Bruce Sabath (Larry), Elizabeth Stanley (April)
Theatre: Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Producer: Darren Bagert, Robert G Bartner, Bonnie Comley, Stewart F Lane, David Horn, Madoka Imura, Nagamitsu Endo, Ellen M Krass, Morton Swinsky
Book: George Furth
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Direction and Musical Staging: John Doyle, film: Lonny Price
Musical Director: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Orchestrations: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Dance arrangements and incidental music:
Scenic Design: David Gallo
Costume Design: Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Design: Thomas C. Hase
Sound Design: Andrew Keister
Hair and Wig Design: David Lawrence
Make-Up Design: Angelina Avallone
Stage Manager: Iris Merlis
Cast:
Raúl Esparza (Bobby), Barbara Walsh (Joanne), Keith Buterbaugh (Harry), Matt Castle (Peter), Robert Cunningham (Paul), Angel Desai (Marta), Kelly Jeanne Grant (Kathy), Kristin Huffman (Sarah), Amy Justman (Susan), Heather Laws (Amy), Leenya Rideout (Jenny), Fred Rose (David), Bruce Sabath (Larry), Elizabeth Stanley (April)
Sources
- Dan Bacalzo, “Company to Be Filmed for PBS' Great Performances,” TheaterMania (June 28, 2007)
- Ben Brantley, “A Revival Whose Surface of Tundra Conceals a Volcano,” New York Times (Nov 30, 2006)
- Andrew R. Chow, “Marianne Elliott to Direct Sondheim and Furth’s ‘Company,’ With a Gender Twist,” New York Times (Nov 27, 2016)
- David Cuthbert, “PBS 'Company' a stunning Broadway revival,” The Times-Picayune (Feb 20, 2008)
- Glenn Erickson, “Company: A Musical Comedy: Savant Blu-ray Review” DVDTalk (June 4, 2008)
- Andrew Gans, Kenneth Jones, “Tony-Winning Revival of Company to Be Filmed for "Great Performances" Broadcast” Playbill (June 28, 2007)
- Andrew Gans, Kenneth Jones, “Company — with Esparza — to Make PBS Debut in February 2008,” Playbill (Dec 11, 2007)
- Sophie Gilbert, “An Updated Company for an Era of Single Women,” The Atlantic (Nov 29, 2016)
- Adam Hetrick, “Sondheim Gives Blessing for Company Revival with Female “Bobbie”,” Playbill (Nov 25, 2016)
- Michael Reuben, “Company Blu-ray Review: Bobby, Won't You Play the Piano?,” Blu-Ray.com (Dec 31, 2011)
- David Rooney, “Review: ‘Company’” Variety (Nov 29, 2006)
Written by Luisa Lyons (April, 2017, updated April 2020)