PBS Great Performances to Air 'Company' on Feb.20, 2008

The PBS series "Great Performances" has announced February 20, 2008 as the national air-date for the highly-anticipated and professionally-recorded production of last season's Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Company.  Details on specific air-times and locations are pending

PBS joined forced with Ellen M. Krass Productions to film the Stephen Sondheim / George Furth musical Company, directed by 2006 Tony Award winner John Doyle and starring Raúl Esparza during the matinee and evening performances on Saturday, June 30, 2007 prior to playing its final performance on Sunday, July 1, 2007 after 34 preview performances and 247 regular performances.  

The revival featured 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.  Lonny Price will direct for television.

Starring Raúl Esparza as Robert, the cast also included 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; Elizabeth Stanley as April.

"Produced for PBS by Thirteen/WNET New York, Great Performances is America's longest-running and most prestigious television series devoted to the performing arts.  Since its premiere in 1972, it has produced or presented over 600 programs of music, drama, and dance.  With its programs garnering more than 60 Emmy Awards and four George Foster Peabody Awards, the series has received every major television honor," state press notes.

The revival began previews on Monday, October 29, 2006 and opened on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th Street.  Company won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic's Circle and Drama League Awards for Best Revival of a Musical; the star, Raúl Esparza, earned the Drama Desk and Outer Critic's Circle Awards for Best Actor in a Musical and Mary-Mitchell Campbell won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations.

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," according to press materials.

This new production of Company previously enjoyed a sold-out run at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (March 14-April 14, 2006). It continues Doyle's acclaimed method of working with actor-musicians.  The original production 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 cast recording of Company was produced by Tommy Krasker for PS Classics and Nonesuch.  The CD-set, released on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, includes 66 minutes of music and a 71-page booklet, complete with slip cover. 

More information to follow. Visit www.pbs.org for more on PBS and "Great Performances."

Raul Esparza: Photo by Joan Marcus