Company (musical)
Company is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The original 1970 production was nominated for a record-setting 14 Tony Awards, winning six. Company was among the first book musicals to deal with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce,[1] and is a notable example of a concept musical lacking a linear plot.[2] In a series of vignettes, Company follows bachelor Bobby interacting with his married friends, who throw a party for his 35th birthday.[3]
Company
Stephen Sondheim
March 24, 1970: Shubert Theatre, Boston
1970 Broadway
1971 North American Tour
1972 West End
1995 Broadway revival
1995 London revival
2006 Broadway revival
2018 West End revival
2021 Broadway revival
2023 North American Tour
Background[edit]
George Furth wrote 11 one-act plays planned for Kim Stanley. Anthony Perkins was interested in directing and gave the material to Sondheim, who asked Harold Prince for his opinion. Prince said the plays could be a good basis for a musical about New York marriages with a central character to examine those marriages.[4]
Unproduced film[edit]
Sondheim approached William Goldman to write a screenplay adaptation of the musical; the director Herbert Ross reportedly talked Sondheim out of doing the film.[100] Speculation arose in 2010 about Neil LaBute working on a film version of the show.[101]