This video contains excerpts from a documentary of the recording of the "Company" original cast recording, created by DA Pennebaker shortly after the show opened on Broadway in 1970. "Company" is a musical with a book by George Furth and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Its plot revolves around Bobby (a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship, let alone marriage), the five married couples who are his best friends, and his three girlfriends. Unlike most book musicals, which follow a clearly delineated plot, "Company" is a concept musical composed of short vignettes, presented in no particular chronological order, linked by a celebration for Bobby's 35th birthday. "Company" was among the first musicals to deal with adult problems through its music. As Sondheim put it, "they are middle-class people with middle class-problems." The opening night cast included Dean Jones (who had replaced Anthony Perkins early in the rehearsal period when Perkins departed to direct a play), Donna McKechnie, Susan Browning, Pamela Myers, Barbara Barrie, Charles Kimbrough, Merle Louise, Beth Howland, and Elaine Stritch. Musical staging was by Michael Bennett, assisted by Bob Avian. Shortly after opening night, Jones withdrew from the show due to stress he was suffering from ongoing divorce proceedings. He was replaced by his understudy Larry Kert, who had created the role of Tony in "West Side Story." From the highly recommended DVD "Company: Original Cast Album". Full ...
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