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Company

Sondheim collaborated with George Furth (book) and Harold Prince (director) to create Company, the first of the Sondheim/Prince shows that were to lay the foundation for the post-Golden Age Broadway musicals. Company was the first non-linear, "concept," musical.

Set firmly in, and often about, New York, Company follows five married, once married, or soon to be married couples and their mutual friend, Robert, a 35 year old bachelor who has been unable to connect in a long-term relationship. The relationships are presented in a series of vignettes, primarily through Bobby's eyes, so that we see the less than ideal aspects of commitment. However, it is obvious to the audience that the committed are happy. Eventually, Bobby learns that while relationships aren't perfect, they are a necessary part of "Being Alive."

Includes the songs "Getting Married Today," "The Ladies Who Lunch," and "Being Alive."


Show Data


Original Broadway Production Info:

Opened April 26, 1970
Closed January 1, 1972
Ran 690 Performances
Theatre Alvin Theatre
Music Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Stephen Sondheim
Book George Furth
Producers Harold Prince
  in association with Ruth Mitchell
Director Harold Prince
Musical Staging Michael Bennett
Set Designer Boris Aronson
Projection Designer Boris Aronson
Costume Designer D.D. Ryan
Lighting Designer Robert Ornbo
Dance Music Arranger Wally Harper
Music Publisher Tommy Valando
Musical Direction Harold Hastings
Orchestrations Jonathan Tunick


Musical Numbers:

  1. Company
  2. The Little Things You Do Together
  3. Sorry-Grateful
  4. You Could Drive a Person Crazy
  5. Have I Got a Girl for You
  6. Someone Is Waiting
  7. Another Hundred People
  8. Getting Married Today
  9. Side by Side by Side
  10. What Would We Do Without You?
  11. Poor Baby
  12. Tick Tock
  13. Barcelona
  14. The Ladies Who Lunch
  15. Being Alive
  16. Finale


Cut Songs:

  1. Happily Ever After
  2. Multitudes of Amys


Added Songs:

  1. Marry Me a Little


Original Broadway Cast:

Robert Dean Jones
Sarah Barbara Barrie
Harry Charles Kimbrough
Susan Merle Louise
Peter John Cunningham
Jenny Teri Ralston
David George Coe
Amy Beth Howland
Paul Steve Elmore
Joanne Elaine Stritch
Larry Charles Braswell
Marta Pamela Myers
Kathy Donna McKechnie
April Susan Browning
The Vocal Minority Cathy Corkill
  Carol Gelfand
  Marilyn Saunders
  Dona D. Vaughn


London Revival Production Info:

Opened March 13, 1996
Closed June 29, 1996
Theatre Albery Theatre
Music Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Stephen Sondheim
Book George Furth
Producer Caro Newling
Director Sam Mendes
Musical Staging Jonathan Butterell
Designer Mark Thompson
Lighting Designer Paul Pryant
Sound Designer John Leonard
Musical Direction Paddy Cunneen
Prod. Music Director Gareth Valentine
Orchestrations Jonathan Tunick
Casting Anne McNulty


London Revival Cast:

Robert Adrian Lester
Sarah Rebecca Front
Harry Clive Rowe
Susan Clare Burt
Peter Gareth Snook
Jenny Liza Sadovy
David Teddy Kempner
Amy Sophie Thompson
Paul Michael Simkins
Joanne Sheila Gish
Larry Paul Bentley
Marta Anna Francolini
Kathy Kiran Hocking
April Hannah James


Added Songs:

  1. Overture
  2. Marry Me a Little
  3. Entr' Acte


Recordings:

  1. Original Cast Album: Company
    Making Of Documentary - DVD

  2. Original Cast Album: Company
    Making Of Documentary - VHS

  3. Original Cast Recording
    1970 Columbia, CK 3550

  4. London (OBC w/ Larry Kert)
    1971 Sony West End, SMK 53496

  5. Company... in Jazz
    1995 Varese Sarabande, VSD-5673

  6. Broadway Revival
    1996 Angel

  7. London Revival
    1996 RCA Victor, 09026-68589-2


Awards:

  • 1971 Tony Awards - 14 nominations, 6 wins:

    1. Best Musical
    2. Best Music (Stephen Sondheim)
    3. Best Lyrics (Stephen Sondheim)
    4. Best Book (George Furth)
    5. Best Director (Harold Prince)
    6. Best Scenic Design (Boris Aronson)


  • New York Drama Critics Circle Award

    1. Best Musical


  • 1996 Tony Awards - 2 nominations, 0 wins


    Secondary performance rights handled by Music Theatre International


    Articles:

    1. Bad Company
    2. The Character of Bobby
    3. In Gay Company
    4. Company Rewritten
    5. Seperate and Not Equal
    6. Opening Numbers
    7. More Than They Can Chew?
    8. Sondheim's Societal Struggles


    Discuss this show in Sondheim.com's community forum: Finishing the Chat... ››

     

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    “I found [the Sondheim Celebration's Company] to be completely delightful. Almost all of the numbers excited and energized me, and most of the scenes were about as pitch-perfect as you can get. I just sat there with a big smile on my face the whole show.

    Which is not to say that it is perfect...”
    - popcornonmyknees

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    Music, Books & More
    Elaine Stritch
    With three hand-held cameras, one major theatrical milestone and nearly nineteen hours of footage, this rare and intimate look with Original Cast Album - Company is a must for any Sondheim fan.

    DVD: $26.96
    VHS: $24.95


    One of Sondheim's most beloved works is sure to be Sunday in the Park with George, available on DVD, video tape, and CD.

    CD: $13.99
    DVD: $25.49
    VHS: $19.98


    Nathan Lane
    All Sondheim completists are sure to now own the first complete recording of The Frogs coupled with Evening Primrose. Do you?

    CD: $18.97


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