The Tony-winning, gender-swapped revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company launches a U.S. national tour October 8 at Schenectady, New York's Proctors Collaborative. Marianne Elliott is back to recreate her Tony-winning direction, with Britney Coleman starring as the perpetually single Bobbie. The production is the musical's first major U.S. union tour since the 1970s.
Joining Coleman in the cast are Judy McLane as Joanne, Kathryn Allison as Sarah, Matt Bittner as David, Ali Louis Bourzgui as Paul, Derrick Davis as Larry, Javier Ignacio as Peter, James Earl Jones II as Harry, Marina Kondo as Susan, Matt Rodin as Jamie, Emma Stratton as Jenny, Jacob Dickey as Andy, Tyler Hardwick as PJ, and David Socolar as Theo.
Rounding out the company are Matthew Christian, Christopher DeAngelis, Kenneth Quinney Francouer, CJ Greer, Elysia Jordan, Beth Stafford Laird, and Christopher Henry Young.
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, original sound designer Ian Dickinson, tour sound designer Keith Caggiano, 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. Jay Carey is production stage manager, Matthew Brooks is stage manager, and Ashani Smith is assistant stage manager.
Elliott & Harper Productions, The Shubert Organization, Catherine Schreiber, Nederlander Presentations Inc., Boyett-Miller, GFour Productions, Mary Maggio, Scott Abrams, Hornos-Moellenberg, Crossroads Live, Hunter Arnold, No Guarantees, Grove Entertainment, Daryl Roth, Tom Tuft, Fakston Productions, Michael Watt, Concord Theatricals, Independent Presenters Network, John Gore Organization, Merrie-Kades-Beard, and Jujamcyn Theaters are producing.
The tour is currently scheduled to play 25 cities including Detroit, Chicago, Memphis, New Haven, Boston, Pittsburgh, Denver, and Seattle. For a full itinerary, visit CompanyMusical.com.
