NY Philharmonic to Present Semi-Staged Company, March 7-10

A semi-staged concert production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company will be among the offerings of the New York Philharmonic during its 2006-2007 season. It will be performed at Avery Fisher Hall (10 Lincoln Center Plaza) on March 7th, 2007, at 7:30 PM, March 8th at 7:30 PM, March 9th at 8 PM and March 10th at 8 PM.

The Company concert will follow two previous presentation of Sondheim classics: the historic 1985 Follies concert and 2000's Sweeney Todd. Lonny Price (who helmed the Sweeney Todd concert) will direct, while Paul Gemignani, who has served as conductor and/or musical director on many Sondheim shows, will lead the orchestra. No casting has been announced yet.

Company, with music and lyrics by Sondheim and a book by 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 show, 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.

Visit www.nyphil.org for more information.