How well do you know the groundbreaking musical Company? Test your knowledge of Stephen Sondheim's iconic show, which revolutionized Broadway with its non-linear storytelling and focus on adult relationships. From its 1970 debut to its gender-swapped revival, Company has continued to evolve, winning numerous Tony Awards and remaining a fan favorite. Dive into the world of Robert’s (or Bobbie’s) reflections on love, marriage, and being alive, and discover the rich history behind this timeless musical.
International Productions
- A 2019 staging in the Philippines by director Topper Fabregas featured OJ Mariano and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who reprised her role as Joanne.
- Antonio Banderas not only directed but also starred in the 2021 production in Spain, where Stephen Sondheim approved a significant change to update Bobby's age from 35 to 50.
- Alberto Ísola directed a noteworthy production in Lima, showcasing talents such as Rossana Fernández-Maldonado and Marco Zunino.
- In a 2013 production in Buenos Aires, Alejandro Paker, Cecilia Milone, and Natalia Cociuffo took principal roles.
- The 2012 production in Singapore was led by director Hossan Leong and featured a cast that included Peter Ong and Tan Kheng Hua.
- Stephen Sondheim traveled to Australia for the first time in thirty years to attend the opening night of the 2007 Australian production of the musical.
Musical Composition
- The 2006 Broadway revival of the musical witnessed the actors themselves providing the orchestral accompaniment, a unique feature where Raúl Esparza played percussion and Barbara Walsh played orchestra bells and percussion.
Notable Tours
- The second North American tour in 2023 featured Britney Coleman, who had understudied Bobbie in the 2021 Broadway revival.
Production Facts
- The 2018 West End production introduced a gender-swapped version of the main character and featured a same-sex couple, marking a significant modernization approved by Sondheim himself.
- The 2021 Broadway revival dedicated its entire run to Stephen Sondheim following his death and became the most nominated musical revival of the season at the Tony Awards.
- Sondheim discussed the significance of refreshing theatre with new perspectives, particularly mentioning the gender swap from Bobby to Bobbie, five days before his passing.
- The 2021 Broadway gender-swapped revival was initially set to open on Sondheim's 90th birthday but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stephen Sondheim attended the resumed previews shortly before his death.
- Company was one of the first musicals to address modern adult relationships and issues such as marriage, divorce, and dating through a non-linear narrative structure.
- Neil Patrick Harris played Robert in the 2011 New York Philharmonic concert production, which resulted in a filmed presentation that saw limited theatrical release followed by a DVD and Blu-ray release.
- The Kennedy Center production of 2002 featured John Barrowman as Robert and was part of a summer-long celebration of Sondheim musicals.
- The musical is notable for its absence of a linear plot and traditional story arc, instead presenting the audience with thematic reflections on personal relations and existential ponderings.
- The musical underwent significant revisions in the early 1990s by Sondheim and Furth, which included updating the dialogue and reworking the ending of Act I to keep it fresh and relevant for new audiences.
- The main character, Robert, is a bachelor living in New York City, reflecting on his relationships with five married couples and his three girlfriends through a series of vignettes.
- Harold Prince, who gave feedback on the one-act plays initially crafted for Kim Stanley and suggested their potential as a musical, directed the original 1970 production.
- The original production of 'Company' in 1970 was nominated for an impressive 14 Tony Awards and managed to win six of them.
