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Company, a musical revival, opened last night on Broadway. Here is why it was bittersweet

Company, a revival of one of the most famous musicals by Stephen Sondheim, opened last night on Broadway.

News 12 Staff

Dec 10, 2021, 5:26 PM

Updated 1,106 days ago

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Company, a revival of one of the most famous musicals by Stephen Sondheim, opened last night on Broadway. But it was bittersweet, with the death of the music legend occurring just two weeks ago at the age of 91.
“My very first Broadway show that I ever saw was Pacific Overtures and it was at the winter garden, which is a huge theatre and I think I saw it from the very last row,” says Cynthia Nixon.
Company had just begun previews in March of last year when the pandemic suddenly forced the Broadway production to shut down. Director Marianne Elliott recalled how Sondheim paid the show a final visit recently when previews started, again.
While Company is one of Sondheim's most famous musicals, the production has at least one major change: the lead character Bobbie, traditionally a male role, is now a woman played by Katrina Lenk. The cast also includes Patti LuPone.
Company was first performed on Broadway in 1970, receiving 14 Tony Award nominations, at the time setting a record. Actress Barbara Barri was in the original cast.
“He was a real task master,” says Barri. “When you worked for him, you learned a lot, and we all did."
More than 50 years after Company first played Broadway, it, and Sondheim's legacy, live on. Company is being performed at the Jacobs Theatre.