Company – The Musical at Orpheum Theatre
Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company – The Musical is making its way to the Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis in November! This fall, the North American Tour of the hit Broadway show will stop in over 25 cities throughout the 2023 – 2024 season. With an impressive record of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, this new performance features Sondheim’s classic tracks “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “Side by Side by Side,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” and the ever-popular “Being Alive.” Let’s all drink to that! Follow Bobbie’s story in her pursuit to find genuine connections in the crazy world of the 21st century. It’s time to seek the best company there is and find the true meaning of Being Alive in this deeply insightful and downright hilarious production. Visit the grand stage at the Orpheum Theatre – a haven for arts and entertainment in downtown Minnesota – and watch the epic revival of this beloved musical! Purchase your tickets now!
Company – The Musical Tickets
“HANDS DOWN THE BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION OF THE SEASON!” – New York Post
“Dazzling! So vibrant, so alive!” – Hollywood Reporter
“GLORIOUSLY TRANSFORMATIVE. A GODSEND.” – The New York Times
Company – The Musical is long considered one of the first popular concept musicals in history, with its first show premiering on Broadway in 1970. The performance garnered instant success as it was nominated for 14 Tony Awards while winning six of them – one record at the time. Even though the Company lacks a conventional storyline, it does include songs like “Being Alive,” “Not Getting Married Today,” and “The Ladies Who Lunch,” which have become standards in the musical theatre industry.
The original production featured a male protagonist, Bobby, who is single and surrounded by married people on the eve of his 35th birthday. Sondheim’s classic explores the complexities of modern relationships, the fear of commitment, and the search for genuine connection in a city full of strangers. However, the new production has a fresh twist on the traditional tale as it creatively transforms the main character into a female protagonist instead. This time around, we are introduced to Bobbie while other key characters in the show are altered as well.
In this new Company revival, Bobbie, the lead character, is approaching her 35th birthday and battling the demands of being unmarried and an older woman. In the presence of her married friends, she must choose between getting married, having a child, and embracing her freedom. As the play progresses, ingenious interlocking arrangements feature the number 35 as a repeating pattern, highlighting the idea of her age and choices.
In contrast to the standard masculine image of Bobby, Bobbie is shown as a sharp, flirtatious, and endearing character who is already her own person. She is caught between the need for company and the worry of becoming stuck in stereotyped roles. Even her boyfriends critique her decisions, which her pals frequently dispute. In addition, the fears Bobbie has with her household duties are constantly reflected in her nightmares.
Bobbie exhibits a good sense of humor throughout the play and frequently answers her married friends’ pranks with wit and sarcasm. Joanne is her confidante, an older acquaintance who enjoys drinking and sharing knowing glances with her. Joanne’s famous solo performance of “Ladies Who Lunch” becomes a highlight of the production, and she significantly contributes to assisting Bobbie in coming to key realizations about life, love, and the need of deep connections.
The revival brings a fresh perspective to the classic musical, with Bobbie’s multidimensional portrayal and the strong dynamic between her and Joanne adding depth and resonance to the themes of relationships and self-discovery.
So far, only Britney Coleman as Bobbie has been revealed as the main star, while the rest of the cast is yet to be announced. Three-time Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliott, known for her work on War Horse and Angels in America, will once again lead this new production of the ground-breaking musical comedy.
“A welcome reinvention of the classic musical!” – New York Theatre Guide
“Very rousing and arousing” – The Wrap
“Magnetic and devastatingly droll” – Slant
The core creative team for the live performance includes Choreography by Liam Steel, Musical Supervision and Additional Vocal Arrangements by Joel Fram, Set and Costume Design by Tony Award winner Bunny Christie, Lighting Design by Tony Award nominee Neil Austin, Sound Design by Ian Dickinson, Orchestrations by David Cullen, Dance Arrangements by Sam Davis, Illusions by Chris Fisher, Makeup Design by Campbell Young Associates and Casting by Tara Rubin.
Overall, the 2022 Broadway Revival of Company has won five Tony Awards. This included Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for Patty Lupone, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for Matt Doyle, and Best Scenic Design of a Musical. Celebrities who have performed in the show include some of the biggest names on Broadway, like Neil Patrick Harris, Elaine Stritch, Stephen Colbert, Christina Hendricks, and Jane Krakowski.