Could a Broadway Revival of COMPANY Still Work Today?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 12:51am

Extremely near and dear to my heart, Company is my very favorite Sondheim musical. I'm really interested in the on-and-off conversation that's been happening in the thread about Aaron Tveit's Company at Barrington Stage this summer, and wanted to pose three questions to create a broader discussion and ongoing dialogue, given that the last Broadway revival opened now nearly 11 years ago (which is crazy!). 

1) Could a Broadway revival of Company—and all of its themes—still feel pertinent and relevant today?

2) Could a new Broadway revival of Company be financially fruitful (and if so, how)?

3) The classic question: who would be in your dream cast of a Company revival?

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 1:03am

1. Yes

2. Yes. How? Refer to #3.

3. Jake Gyllenhaal

[Jarethan]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 11:09am

Of course, with that score and the opportunities it offers a talented cast.  But...

 

I really think they need to throw away the book and start all over again.  It was stupid in 1970/1, playing for cheap laughs when it was not singing.  George Furth was a hack who must have been very good friends with Sondheim and / or Prince.  The whole 'here is the funny pot smoking couple' followed by the 'here is the funny martial arts couple' etc. is really bad.  While the show is not about them, I think they could do a better job framing those people, without such arch attempts at comedy.

As with all Sondheim shows -- possible exception, A Funny Thing, which doesn't feel like a Sondheim show -- it will never be a smash hit, because the masses just don't like Sondheim, and that is not likely to change.

I really like the idea of mixing it a little by having a Bobbie instead of a Bobby, but they'd  have to do something with You Could Drive a Person Crazy.  Off the top of my head, that is the only thing I can think of that really needs to be re-worked if they are going to have men replace women in those roles to accommodate a heterosexual Bobbie.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 11:14am

I've been saying since July 2nd, 2015 that Gyllenhaal MUST play Bobby. I can't even think of another person alive now who has the box office appeal AND is absolutely perfect for the role. 

[TheThreadMaster]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 11:14am

1. Yes

2. Yes. By not making it bad and ruining it like some revivals of other good shows have done.

3. Gavin Creel, although I doubt it because he said he wants to do something new. 

[carnzee]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 12:03pm

I think Company is as relevant as ever, but because of a dozen or so references that place it in the time it was written, it should be done as a period piece. 

I've enjoyed productions that take place in the present day, and they almost work, but then those few references (i.e. "caftans", "analyst" irk me.

[David10086]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 12:33pm

I like the idea of Gyllenhall, and I would suggest Jane Lynch as Joanne. I could see her doing justice to "Ladies Who Lunch", 'The Little Things We Do Together', etc. 

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 12:41pm

Yes. I agree that the themes do not make sense if you set it in modern day but if you keep it a period piece to the early 70's it works perfectly. It would definitely make money with Jake Gyllenhaal or Neil Patrick Harris... 

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 12:45pm

After Jake's passionately beautiful performance in Sunday, he is the ONLY option for a Company revival right now, in my eyes. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 12:56pm

Two words: LUCAS STEELE. He has the charisma to make the obsession over Bobby understandable.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 1:13pm

I would love to see Gyllenhaal as Bobby. I'd also love to see LuPone take on Joanne again, but under more focused direction. I don't love her performance in the NPH Concert version, but I think like we saw with her Lovett, she's drastically changed her interpretation of a role before (with the right direction).

[little_sally]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 1:49pm

Admittedly, Company has never been my favorite show but I do find it dated and very of its time.

That being said, I would love to see Andy Karl as Bobby.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 2:23pm

I think it is now truly a period piece, but can still work as such, like the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. It does have a great score.

[darquegk]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 3:42pm

I want to see a film. And I'd like to see Matthew Weiner in charge of creative development (ditto for Follies); his guidance on the slow, vignette-heavy character development juggernaut Mad Men makes me think he gets the world of mid-period Sondheim better than most.

[green waver]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 5:29pm

Have to disagree with anyone who says A revival can only work if ____ plays Bobby. I'm positive that there are a dozen actor-singers who could play the part exceptionally well-Steel, Creel, NPH, Groban,Karl,Gyllenhaal among them.

[David10086]

Posted: 8/31/17 at 5:44pm

poisonivy2 said: "Two words: LUCAS STEELE. He has the charisma to make the obsession over Bobby understandable."

 

AGREED! He would be ideal as Bobby. I still say Jane Lynch for Joanne. I don't know why, but I can only see her for this role. 

[The Josh]

Posted: 9/1/17 at 3:44am

A few years down the road I would love to see Daniel Radcliffe as Bobby!

[kellyhallo]

Posted: 9/1/17 at 9:53am

little_sally said: "Admittedly, Company has never been my favorite show but I do find it dated and very of its time.

That being said, I would love to see Andy Karl as Bobby."

 

Totally agree! I didn't even think of that but would love to see him as Bobby.

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 11:34am

Totally unexpected, but I heard through the grapevine this morning that we should keep our eyes out for a potential future for Aaron Tveit's Company at Barrington Stage... not sure what that entails, but there could be more life in store for it.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 11:42am

BroadwayConcierge said: "Totally unexpected, but I heard through the grapevine this morning that we should keep our eyes out for a potential future for Aaron Tveit's Company at Barrington Stage... not sure what that entails, but there could be more life in store for it."

 

I think it just means another extension, I really don't see it transferring to NY.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 12:55pm

Although I don't know if he has the voice to handle songs like "Marry Me a Little" or "Being Alive," I would love to see Radcliffe in the role because he has the ability to act on several levels at the same time, to be both arrogant and vulnerable. "The Cripple of Innishman" was an eye-opener to me about his acting ability.

[nsguy45]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 1:02pm

Aaron is committed to making a film, making another extension difficult. Sondheim saw the show on Saturday evening. If he was enthusiastic about the production, there might be a future for it with his support.

[bk]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 3:51pm

Jarethan said: "Of course, with that score and the opportunities it offers a talented cast. But...



I really think they need to throw away the book and start all over again. It wasstupid in 1970/1, playing for cheap laughs when it was not singing. George Furth was a hack who must have been very good friends with Sondheim and / or Prince. The whole 'here is the funny pot smoking couple' followed by the 'here is the funny martial arts couple' etc. is really bad. While the show is not about them, I think they could do a better job framing those people, without such arch attempts at comedy.

As with all Sondheim shows -- possible exception, A Funny Thing, which doesn't feel like a Sondheim show -- it will never be a smash hit, because the masses just don't like Sondheim, and that is not likely to change.

I really like the idea of mixing it a little by having a Bobbie instead of a Bobby, but they'd have to do something with You Could Drive a Person Crazy. Off the top of my head, that is the only thing I can think of that really needs to be re-worked if they are going to have men replace women in those roles to accommodate a heterosexual Bobbie."

How would YOU know it was stupid in 1970?  Were you there?  Did you see it back then?  I'm gonna guess that would be a big no.  It was not stupid back then, it was groundbreaking and completely fresh back then.  I can say that because I WAS there, I DID see it.  

And yes, there could be a successful revival of the show but since I don't think much of any directors or choreographers working today, I'm not sure exactly who would do it.  BUT - and here's the big BUT - it will never succeed on Broadway in a revival unless they do it as written - the changes made for the Roundabout (and before and after that) are HORRIBLE and hurt the show.  You trust the damn material as it was written and it is set in the year it takes place in - no updates, no rewrites, no Marry Me a Little which not only ruins the flow and trajectory of the first act curtain but also robs Being Alive of its power.  

[Jarethan]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 4:22pm

poisonivy2 said: "Two words: LUCAS STEELE. He has the charisma to make the obsession over Bobby understandable."

IMO Lucas Steele is just too weird.  He managed to find a role suited to his 'other-worldliness' in TGC.  I just don't see him in Company, especially given the number of people who could do it.

[asimplegal2]

Posted: 9/4/17 at 4:32pm

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. JOSH GROBAN