Company Commits to Nov. 29 Opening at the Barrymore

The Stephen Sondheim / George Furth musical Company will open on Broadway on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 W. 47th Street).

Directed by John Doyle, 2006 Tony Award-winner for his direction of the hit revival of Sweeney Todd, the cast that premiered the show at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park including Raúl Esparza, who stars as Robert, will reprise their roles on Broadway.   Previews begin Monday, October 30th.Company features musical direction and orchestrations by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, set design by Tony Award winner David Gallo, costume design by Tony Award winner Ann Hould-Ward, and lighting design by Thomas C. Hase.Starring Raúl Esparza as Robert, the cast of Company also includes Barbara Walsh as Joanne; Keith Buterbaugh as Harry; Matt Castle as Peter; Robert Cunningham as Paul; Angel Desai as Marta; Kelly Jeanne Grant as Kathy; Kristin Huffman as Sarah; Amy Justman as Susan; Heather Laws as Amy; Leenya Rideout as Jenny; Fred Rose as David; Bruce Sabath as Larry; and Elizabeth Stanley as April. "Long before 'Sex and the City,' Company took an unconventional look at love and commitment in a complex modern New York.  The show is an honest, funny and sophisticated portrayal of five married couples as seen through the eyes of their mutual friend Robert, a bachelor evaluating the pros and cons of wedded life," state production notes.This new production of Company, which recently premiered to rave reviews and enjoyed a sold-out run at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park (March 14-April 14, 2006), continues Doyle's method of working with actor-musicians seen in the currently-running Tony-nominated Broadway production of Sweeney Todd.The original production of Company opened on Broadway at the Alvin (now the Neil Simon) Theatre on April 26, 1970.  The musical garnered 14 Tony Award nominations (the record until The Producers in 2001), winning six, including Best Musical.  The show was last seen on Broadway for a limited engagement in 1995. The new Broadway production of Company is produced by The Routh/Frankel/Viertel/Baruch Group and the Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner, Darren Bagert (co-producers of the current Broadway production of Sweeney Todd) and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.