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Company (2011)Opening Date: April 7, 2011
Closing Date: April 9, 2011 Air date: June 2011 Medium: cinema Where to watch: DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link) |
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 was revived on Broadway in 1995, and again in 2006. The latter production, directed by John Doyle featured a stripped back set and a cast of actor-musicians. It was filmed and screened on PBS, and later made available on DVD.
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.
The show has been performed around the world, including a controversial limited engagement run in Australia, produced by fledgling musical theatre company Kookaburra, in 2007. Shortly after opening night, the actor playing April became ill, and no understudy had been prepared. In response, artistic director Peter Cousens decided to cut the role of April entirely for one performance. The cut was reported around the world, and Sondheim threatened to revoke the rights.
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 was revived on Broadway in 1995, and again in 2006. The latter production, directed by John Doyle featured a stripped back set and a cast of actor-musicians. It was filmed and screened on PBS, and later made available on DVD.
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.
The show has been performed around the world, including a controversial limited engagement run in Australia, produced by fledgling musical theatre company Kookaburra, in 2007. Shortly after opening night, the actor playing April became ill, and no understudy had been prepared. In response, artistic director Peter Cousens decided to cut the role of April entirely for one performance. The cut was reported around the world, and Sondheim threatened to revoke the rights.
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
The 2011 all-star cast production was a special gala for the New York Philharmonic. While the Philharmonic had performed excerpts of Company in 2008 and 2010, the 2011 production, under the direction of Lonny Price, was their first full scale performance of the musical.
Lonny Price had previously worked with the Philharmonic, directing Camelot, Candide, and Sweeney Todd, all of which were also filmed.
Company with the New York Philharmonic was performed four times over three sold-out nights in April 2011. Due to the demanding schedules of the cast, the first time the full ensemble were all in the same room was reportedly the dress rehearsal, which was also being reviewed.
The production received a positive critical response, with the New York Times calling it “downright sexy.” Patti LuPone received praise for her acerbic portrayal of Joanne. Christina Hendricks and Katie Finneran also received mentions for their respective performances as April and Amy.
The live capture was screened in cinemas around the world in June 2011. The screening included an interview with producer Ellen M. Krass, who stated funding for the screening had been difficult to obtain as investors had not heard of filming a live musical for commercial distribution.
Writing for NPR, Linda Holmes describes the live capture as competent, but ultimately felt the production would have been better experienced in person.
The capture was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in 2012, and aired on American television on PBS’ Great Performances in 2013. It was briefly available to stream on BroadwayHD.
Company is currently available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
The 2011 all-star cast production was a special gala for the New York Philharmonic. While the Philharmonic had performed excerpts of Company in 2008 and 2010, the 2011 production, under the direction of Lonny Price, was their first full scale performance of the musical.
Lonny Price had previously worked with the Philharmonic, directing Camelot, Candide, and Sweeney Todd, all of which were also filmed.
Company with the New York Philharmonic was performed four times over three sold-out nights in April 2011. Due to the demanding schedules of the cast, the first time the full ensemble were all in the same room was reportedly the dress rehearsal, which was also being reviewed.
The production received a positive critical response, with the New York Times calling it “downright sexy.” Patti LuPone received praise for her acerbic portrayal of Joanne. Christina Hendricks and Katie Finneran also received mentions for their respective performances as April and Amy.
The live capture was screened in cinemas around the world in June 2011. The screening included an interview with producer Ellen M. Krass, who stated funding for the screening had been difficult to obtain as investors had not heard of filming a live musical for commercial distribution.
Writing for NPR, Linda Holmes describes the live capture as competent, but ultimately felt the production would have been better experienced in person.
The capture was released on DVD and Blu-Ray in 2012, and aired on American television on PBS’ Great Performances in 2013. It was briefly available to stream on BroadwayHD.
Company is currently available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
Company with the New York Philharmonic PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center
Producer: Lonny Price, Matt Cowart, Ellen M. Krass
Book: George Furth
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Lonny Price
Musical Director: Alan Gilbert
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Josh Rhodes
Scenic Design: James Noone
Costume Design: Tracy Christensen
Lighting Design: Kirk Bookman
Sound Design: Peter Fitzgerald
Hair and Wig Design: Paul Huntley
Make-Up Design: Angelina Avallone
Conductor: Paul Gemignani
Cast:
Craig Bierko (Peter), Stephen Colbert (Harry), Jon Cryer (David), Katie Finneran (Amy), Neil Patrick Harris (Robert), Christina Hendricks (April), Aaron Lazar (Paul), Patti LuPone (Joanne), Jill Paice (Susan), Martha Plimpton (Sarah), Anika Noni Rose (Marta) Jennifer Laura Thompson (Jenny), Jim Walton (Larry), Chryssie Whitehead (Kathy)
The Vocal Minority: Alexa Green, Fred Inkley, Rob Lorey, Jessica Vosk
Ensemble: Callie Carter, Ariana DeBose, Sean Ewing, Ashley Fitzgerald, Lorin Latarro, Lee Wilkins
Theatre: Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center
Producer: Lonny Price, Matt Cowart, Ellen M. Krass
Book: George Furth
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Lonny Price
Musical Director: Alan Gilbert
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Josh Rhodes
Scenic Design: James Noone
Costume Design: Tracy Christensen
Lighting Design: Kirk Bookman
Sound Design: Peter Fitzgerald
Hair and Wig Design: Paul Huntley
Make-Up Design: Angelina Avallone
Conductor: Paul Gemignani
Cast:
Craig Bierko (Peter), Stephen Colbert (Harry), Jon Cryer (David), Katie Finneran (Amy), Neil Patrick Harris (Robert), Christina Hendricks (April), Aaron Lazar (Paul), Patti LuPone (Joanne), Jill Paice (Susan), Martha Plimpton (Sarah), Anika Noni Rose (Marta) Jennifer Laura Thompson (Jenny), Jim Walton (Larry), Chryssie Whitehead (Kathy)
The Vocal Minority: Alexa Green, Fred Inkley, Rob Lorey, Jessica Vosk
Ensemble: Callie Carter, Ariana DeBose, Sean Ewing, Ashley Fitzgerald, Lorin Latarro, Lee Wilkins
Sources
- Bryce Hallett, “Why this Kookaburra isn’t laughing,” Sydney Morning Herald (July 23, 2007)
- Adam Hetrick, “Company, Starring Neil Patrick Harris and Patti LuPone, Released on DVD and Blu-ray Nov. 13,” Playbill (Nov 13, 2012)
- Stephen Holden, “A Bachelor, Five Couples and All Their Tuneful Discontents,” New York Times (April 8, 2011)
- Linda Holmes, “Stephen Sondheim's 'Company': Can Theater-To-Film Take Off?” NPR, (June 20, 2011)
- David Karger, “Neil Patrick Harris: 'Company' Man,” Entertainment Weekly (May 20, 2011)
- Barbara McMahon, “Sondheim angered by cuts to his musical,” The Guardian (July 21, 2007)
- Noel Murray, “Stephen Sondheim’s Company With The New York Philharmonic,” A.V. Club (Nov 14, 2012)
- David Rooney, “COMPANY: THEATER REVIEW,” Hollywood Reporter (April 8, 2011)
- MTI, “Company,” Accessed via: http://www.mtishows.com/company
- New York Philharmonic, “In Comes Company”, Accessed via: http://nyphil.tumblr.com/post/35714273575/in-comes-company-its-here-the-philharmonics
- New York Philharmonic, Company program, Accessed via: http://archives.nyphil.org/index.php/artifact/73173a58-bd6a-4609-87fb-b02215b3a424
- PBS, “Great Performances: Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” with the New York Philharmonic,” Accessed via: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/sondheims-company-with-the-new-york-philharmonic-about-the-show/1885/
Written by Luisa Lyons (February, 2017, updated April 2020)