Jared Evan
World-renowned NY born Jewish composer and lyricist Steven Sondheim turned 91 on Monday and shortly after Broadway fans got an exciting clue that “the great white way” will be coming back when the producers of the Sondheim musical revival “Company” which began previews right before Broadway was shut down because of the pandemic, is set to open.
The principal cast for Company includes Katrina Lenk as Bobbie, Patti LuPone as JoAnne, Rashidra Scott as Susan, Greg Hildreth as Peter, and more.
Broadway World reported:
In a new promo video, Company has revealed that it will be returning to Broadway. The show was previously set to open on Broadway on March 22, 2020, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, but never officially opened due to the pandemic shutting down theatres on March 12, 2020. An official resume date for Broadway shows has yet to be announced.
Bobbie, I’ve got something to tell you ?? Company will be back on Broadway, and you’re all invited #WaitForUs #CompanyBroadway #BroadwayWillBeBack pic.twitter.com/7aykVqfQQt
— COMPANY (@CompanyBway) March 22, 2021
Company is a 1970 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by George Furth. The original production was nominated for a record-setting 14 Tony Awards and won six.
Originally titled Threes, its story revolves around Robert (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. Unlike most book musicals, which follow a clearly delineated plot, Company is a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, linked by a celebration for Robert’s 35th birthday.
Company was among the first musicals to deal with adult themes and relationships. As Sondheim puts it, “Broadway theater has been for many years supported by upper-middle-class people with upper-middle-class problems. These people really want to escape that world when they go to the theatre, and then here we are with Company talking about how we’re going to bring it right back in their faces”- PBS explained.
Stephen Joshua Sondheim has been praised for having “reinvented the American musical” and has received an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards (more than any other composer), a Special Tony Award, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
His best-known works as composer and lyricist include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), and Into the Woods (1987). He is also known for writing the lyrics for West Side Story (1957) and Gypsy (1959).
