Further casting has been announced for the New York Philharmonic's exciting upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's-George Furth's musical “Company.” In addition to the previous mentioned Emmy Winner Neil Patrick Harris will play Bobby and sing the shows anthem “Being Alive.” and Emmy Nominee, 2 time Tony Award Olivier Award and Grammy Award winning, Broadway star Patti LuPone will play the role of Johanne and get to belt out “The Ladies Who Lunch” and “It's the Little Things You Do Together.” The rest of the ALL Star Cast include 5 Time Emmy Award winning Stephen Colbert as Harry, Emmy & Tony Nominee Martha Plimpton as Sarah, Emmy Award winning John Cryer as David, Tony Winner Anika Noni Rose as Marta, Jim Walton as Larry, 2 time Tony Award Winner Katie Finneran as Amy, Tony Nominee Craig Bierko as Peter, Emmy Award Nominee Christina Hendricks as Aprils, Aaron Lazar as Paul, Jill Paice as Susan , Jennifer Laura Thomas as Jenny, and Chryssie Whitehead as Kathy.
Lonny Price will direct and produce Company, which will be presented April 7-9. Paul Gemignani will conduct the famed orchestra; the concerts will feature the original orchestrations penned by Jonathan Tunick.
Set in New York, Company, according to press notes, follows "five married, once-married, and soon-to-be-married couples and their mutual friend, Robert (Mr. Harris), a bachelor who has been unable to connect in a long-term relationship. The relationships are presented in a series of vignettes, primarily through Robert’s eyes." The show’s songs include “Company,” “Side by Side by Side,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Another Hundred People” and “Being Alive.”
The original production of Company 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 recent Broadway revival, which starred the Tony-nominated Raul Esparza as the confused bachelor, ended its run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre July 1, 2007. Company played 34 previews and 247 performances. The revival began previews Oct. 29, 2006, and opened on Nov. 29 at the Barrymore on W. 47th Street. It began at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park in spring 2006, and commercial producers of Broadway's 2005-06 Sweeney Todd swooped in. This Company won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards for Best Revival of a Musical.
Single tickets for these performances start at $65. All tickets may be purchased online at nyphil.org or by calling (212) 875-5656. Tickets may also be purchased at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office or the Alice Tully Hall Box Office at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 65th Street.
There's a rumor this is going to be video taped for broadcast on PBS and with a cast like this it wouldn't surprise if they end of doing it. If I'm not being too gready I'd love an audio CD just for LuPone's music alone. I think it's going to be a brilliant production and if this goes well maybe have them look into getting Price and LuPone to record all of Sondheim's shows for special PBS productions. I know it's just a dream but I'd love a video production of the recent revival of “A Little Night Music” where Bernadette Peters could reprise her Desiree and LuPone could come in and film the role of Countess Charlotte Malcolm for Lonny Price and everyone win's. How about a video production of “Anyone Can Whistle” with LuPone as Coora and Audra coming back from Hollywood to play Fay though my dream has always been Sherie Renee Scott in the role.
I think a dream of mine if Lonny Price directing PBS production or direct to DVD of Sondheims woman and having some of the most famous ladies from the Sondheim cannon: LuPone, Peters, Cook, Murphy, McDonald, and then some new faces Sherie Rene Scott, Idina Menzel, Carolee Carmello all doing famous female numbers from his shows.
If he ever reads this I'd love for him to put together a one woman show for both PBS and an audio CD where LuPone can sing 22 or more songs from the Sondheim cannon as the characters exploring the complexities between acting one of his songs and singing his songs. (heck I'd give money....I think it would work)
StevenD
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