When Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical COMPANY was originally produced on Broadway in 1970 it was nominated for a record-setting 14 Tony Awards, winning six. Since then this show that deals with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce has enjoyed constant revivals featuring some incredible star casts.
The latest production is directed by Brit director Marianne Elliott, known best on Broadway for her Tony-winning production of Angels in America. She switched the main character from Bobby to Bobbie, a much-desired but noncommittal woman. The show was a hit in London, and the New York casting (Katrina Lenk in the lead; Patti LuPone as Joanne, the bitterest of Bobbie’s married friends) increased excitement to a fever pitch.
And then, the night before it opened, Broadway’s lights dimmed in tribute to Stephen Sondheim. Here, already dressed for the wake, was the musical often seen as his self-portrait.
This video supercut of one of Company’s best songs was edited in 2015 to commemorate the Show’s 4th anniversary. It includes some of the most memorable renditions of the show’s legendary power ballad. After nearly half a century, the commitment-phobic Bobby has taken on a number of vastly different forms. Still, from Neil Patrick Harris to Patti LuPone, he never looks a day over 35.
Labels: 2022, Being Alive, Company, compilation, Katrina Lenk, music video, Sondheim
