Bobbie baby, Bobbie Britney! Britney Coleman will star in the upcoming national tour of director Marianne Elliott's Tony-winning, gender-swapped revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company, set to kick off at Detroit's Fisher Theatre in October, as previously announced. Further casting is to be announced.
Coleman previously understudied the role while performing in the ensemble in the production's Broadway run. She's also appeared on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard, Beautiful, and Tootsie.
News of the casting was shared by the production on Instagram.
"The extraordinary response to this musical masterpiece, both in London and on Broadway, was exhilarating," said Chris Harper, who will continue to pay salaries for all involved with the production on the road. "We are delighted that audiences across North America will finally have the opportunity to experience Marianne Elliott’s Tony Award-winning, joyful and laughter-filled production."
With Elliott at the helm, this production of Company reimagines the 1970 musical to newly center around a female protagonist: Bobbie. Unmarried and 35, Bobbie visits her large group of married friends, most of whom are very concerned with why Bobbie hasn't yet settled down. The Sondheim score includes such favorites as "Sorry-Grateful," "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," "Getting Married Today," "Barcelona," and "Being Alive."
Following a 2018 run in London's West End, the production transferred to Broadway just before COVID-19 shut down all of Broadway. More than a year later, the revival finally resumed performances, ultimately opening December 9, 2021—read reviews here. For Sondheim, who died November 26, 2021, during previews, the revival would become the final Broadway production of his that he saw before his passing. The production would go on to run for 268 performances and 32 previews, closing July 31, 2022.
Company received 2022 Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Patti LuPone), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Matt Doyle), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Bunny Christie), and Best Director of a Musical for Elliott. Elliott's win was her third Tony Award for directing, making her the most-honored female director in Broadway history. Along with winning three Olivier Awards for the West End run, including Best Musical Revival, the production also received four Drama Desk Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the GLAAD Media Award.
Elliott's creative team includes choreographer Liam Steel, musical supervisor Joel Fram (who also supplies additional vocal arrangements), set and costume designer Bunny Christie, lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Ian Dickinson, orchestrator David Cullen, dance arranger Sam Davis, illusion designer Chris Fisher, and hair, wig, and makeup designer Campbell Young Associates. The production is cast by Tara Rubin.
Elliott & Harper Productions, Work Light Productions, and Catherine Schreiber are producing the tour.
