Show History

History

Inspiration

Company originated as an evening of eleven one-act plays that George Furth had written for actress, Kim Stanley; some of the plays centered around the marriages of Furth's Southern California friends. Initially, director, Anthony Perkins, had planned a 1968 Broadway production but, when the necessary funds could not be raised, Furth consulted with friend, Stephen Sondheim. In turn, Sondheim sent the plays to legendary producer, Harold Prince. Prince suggested turning the plays into a traditional book musical about marriage and friendship. Content from only two of Furth's original eleven one-acts were used in the show, while three new ones were added.

Productions

The musical opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 26, 1970. Company ran on Broadway for 706 performances. The musical also went on tour; this year-long national tour featured George Chakiris as Robert and Elaine Stritch as Joanne.

Company opened in the West End on January 18, 1972, at Her Majesty's Theatre and ran for 344 performances. The original cast included Larry Kert, Elaine Stritch, Joy Franz and Donna McKechnie.

In 1995, Company was revived by the Roundabout Theatre Company and opened again on Broadway Criterion Center Stage Right. Directed by Scott Ellis and choreographed by Rob Marshall, the revival cast included Boyd Gaines, Kate Burton, Robert Westenberg, Diana Canova and Debra Monk. Company also saw a West End revival at the Donmar Warehouse open on December 13, 1996. Directed by Sam Mendes, the cast included Adrian Lester as the first African-American Bobby in a major production. The production was filmed and broadcast by BBC Two.

Company was revived once again on Broadway in 2006. Beginning with an out-of-town engagement at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, John Doyle directed and choreographed a revival that opened on November 29, 2006, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Raul Esparza and Barbara Walsh led the cast, with actors providing the orchestral accompaniment. The production was broadcast through PBS and that broadcast was also released on DVD.

In April of 2011, Lonny Price directed a staged concert version at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic. Paul Gemignani conducted the 35-piece orchestra. This limited presentation featured an all-star cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, Katie Finneran, Christina Hendricks, Martha Plimpton, Anika Noni Rose and Patti LuPone. The concert was filmed and aired in select movie theaters on June 15, 2011.

Trivia

  • George Furth wrote the role of Joanne specifically for Elaine Stritch.