Doyle's Company, Starring Esparza, to Open on Broadway Next Season?

The New York Post's Michael Riedel reports that a number of producers are battling to snap up the rights to stage John Doyle's Cincinnati Playhouse production of Company on Broadway. Starring Raul Esparza as Bobby, the show and its leading man received rave reviews upon Company's opening on March 14th.

Company is currently scheduled to end its run in Cincinnati on April 14th. Riedel writes that at least two sets of producers would like to open the show on Broadway sometime in the 2006-2007 season; among them are Chicago producers Barry and Fran Weissler, and Tom Viertel and Richard Frankel, whose current revival of Sweeney Todd just recouped its investment. That show, starring Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone, features a similar staging concept as the one used in Doyle's Company: "a reinvention of the show in which the actors also serve as its orchestra of musicians," as the Cincinnati Playhouse's website states.

A new Broadway revival of Company would come a little more than a decade after the last one; the Roundabout Theatre Company mounted the Sondheim classic in 1995. That production, however, did not meet with rave reviews.

In addition to Esparza, Company stars Barbara Walsh (Hairspray, Falsettos) 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.

Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by George Furth, traces the love life of bachelor Bobby, whose interactions with his married friends force him to re-evaulate his choices about commitment. Fragmented in structure and slangily, sexily modern in content, Company marked the first musical in the groundbreaking collaboration between Sondheim and director Harold Prince.

The idea for the new production fermented when Edward Stern, the artistic director of the theatre, saw Sweeney Todd in London and was impressed by the inventiveness of its staging. He asked Doyle what Sondheim musical he would like to stage after Sweeney Todd. Sondheim, as well, has okayed the new production of Company.

Company, starring Dean Jones (who was soon after replaced by Larry Kert), Elaine Stritch and others, opened at the Alvin Theatre on April 26th, 1970 and ran for 705 performances. The show won six Tony Awards--including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Scenic Design (for Boris Aronson). Company featured direction by Prince; he was aided by Michael Bennett who delivered the show's choreography.

 The show's creative team comprises Mary-Mitchell Campbell (music supervision and orchestrations), David Gallo (sets), Ann Hould-Ward (costumes) and Thomas C. Hase (lighting).

Call (513) 421-3888 or (800) 582-3208 or visit www.cincyplay.com for more information.