Esparza & Company Cast to Perform, Sign CDs at B&N, 2/23

On Friday, February 23rd at 5:30 pm at Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle (1982 Broadway at 66th Street), Raúl Esparza and the entire cast of Company will perform three musical numbers from the classic Stephen Sondheim score in conjunction with the release of the new cast recording of the critically acclaimed Broadway revival.

All fourteen cast members will be on hand to sign copies of the CD after the performance.  The CD will be available from PS Classics and Nonesuch beginning February 20th. 

The revival of the classic Stephen Sondheim / George Furth musical opened on Broadway on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 W. 47th Street).

Directed by Doyle 2006 Tony Award-winner for his direction of the hit revival of Sweeney Todd, the show stars Raúl Esparza as Robert, as well as 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. 

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.

"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.

The new production of Company, which previously 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.

Visit www.companyonbroadway.com or www.barnesandnoble.com for more information.

Photo of Raul Esparza by Ben Strothmann