Company London

[raddersons]

Have the keys of the songs been changed to fit a woman's voice? Is Bobbie an alto or a sporano?

[adamgreer]

I have no interest in seeing a milquetoast, generic, performer like Sutton tackle this role.  Laura Benanti is a far more interesting choice. However, if there truly is a "name" attached, I'm going to assume that name is outside of the Broadway community.  Neither Foster nor Benanti qualify as names.  

But if Rosalie Craig gets rave reviews I don't see them dropping her. And I don't see this transferring without LuPone, either.

[GavestonPS]

What non-singer (male) has played Bobby? His original five songs were difficult enough (okay, maybe not "Barcelona" and now most productions add "Being Alive, Part A" to close the first act.

I'm not saying only Josh Groban can play the part, but I've seen a dozen or more productions since 1970 and all the Bobbys could at least sing well enough.

[JBC3]

In this production, LuPone is not as necessary as in traditional casting, particularly if a name is cast as Bobbie.

[givesmevoice]

Does anyone actually think LuPone, who has been involved in a lawsuit over a broken contract, wouldn't have first refusal for a transfer in writing?

[reginula]

I don't want him to leave his current show just yet, and it wouldn't work schedule-wise (I guess), but picture this:

Jordan Donica singing Another Hundred People as one of Bobbi's boyfriends.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Anne Hathaway would be incredible.

[bwayboy22]

For some reason I keep thinking of Scarlett Johansson, I don't even love the idea, but every time I see this thread that's the star I think of.

[RippedMan]

I don't think Benanti's voice suits this at all. She's got a gorgeous legit voice, but this needs a strong belter. And I don't think I see her bringing the house down with "being alive." 

[SomethingPeculiar]

I wouldn't believe anything LuPone says about future projects after her whole "I'm done with musicals" narrative during WAR PAINT. And I couldn't see this transferring without her at least being offered Joanne. She's a savvy lady: if it's well-received, this could be her third Tony.

If the production and Craig's performance get rave reviews, it could be packaged as "straight from London with its original stars!" If it doesn't get money reviews, it would be a big risk to transfer it without a star (unless a non-profit like LCT or Roundabout or even the Public wanted to pick it up). I really like the Anne Hathaway suggestion! 

And of course the most important factor...it needs Mr. Sondheim's thumbs-up!

[qolbinau]

I feel that LuPone quote is frequently misunderstood. The context was she thought she’d never get another good role and therefore is probably done. Not that she is literally retiring.

I personally agree though it seems likely she would be needed? Who would replace her?

[lotiloti]

If it has a Broadway run, it will be with RC.
Every time a West End show transfers, you all immediately start recasting with a 'named star'
You did it with 'Matilda' . Bertie Carval, apparently not being a big enough name to sell the show.
He got raves.
The show and Sondheim are the stars
Just because you haven't heard of the actor/s in question. Don't dismiss them , as unworthy on a 
chance to repeat the rave performances in NY.
The same goes in reverse , Broadway to London

 

 

[JBC3]

Since when does Company get produced because of who might play Joanne?

[qolbinau]

* The show is definitely not the star. It was revived recently and was a major financial failure

* While it is common for London shows to transfer the cast, it isn’t always. In fact the last London transfer of a Sondheim revival replaced stars with genuine names (Night Music). I don’t see it as unreasonable then that given this and the fact that no one goes to Sondheim shows without stars there could be rumors that they are considering finding a name for a transfer. 

* A revival won’t be built upon Joanne but this is Patti LuPone as Joanne, which is a completely different proposition. One of the few Broadway stars that actually sells tickets. Who would want to throw money at this if LuPone isn’t involved? Unless they can get Hathaway or Scarlett as discussed earlier, I certainly wouldn’t go near this with a dime without LuPone. 

[ljay889]

I honestly think even discussing the possibility of this transferring without LuPone is ridiculous.

[BJR]

ljay889 said: "I honestly think even discussing the possibility of this transferring without LuPone is ridiculous."

Agreed. It's like imagining ANGELS coming over without Nathan Lane. It's probably have the reason it would.

As for Craig, she's going to have to get raves so the performance could be considered a Don't Miss. But I think it's likelier than not. The entire cast? That's seems a little less likely.

[wish i were here2]

I feel that if this transfers (which I hope it does) Craig, LuPone, and Bailey would transfer with it.

[raddersons]

JBC3 said: "Since when does Company get produced because of who might play Joanne?"

I think the real question is: Since when does a show with Patti LuPone not  get produced? We saw Warpaint. The show wasn't selling tickets. Patti was.

[JBC3]

^ Perhaps but look at how that ultimately turned out, and we are not 100% sure she wants to do it over here.

[SomethingPeculiar]

I love Patti but she doesn't sell tickets like Nathan Lane. She might help the box office for the first 8 weeks and add some prestige to the transfer, but she hasn't been in a hit since SWEENEY in 2006. Her 4 shows since all closed early and didn't recoup. This is going to be a risky transfer, especially if Craig and the production don't get raves.

[Kad]

I'd assume that any producer would want Patti to transfer. But it'd be up to Patti to accept or decline- and if nothing else, Patti does what she wants.

[ljay889]

Kad said: "I'd assume that any producer would want Patti to transfer. But it'd be up to Patti to accept or decline- and if nothing else, Patti does what she wants."

Exactly! 

[adamgreer]

Kad said: "I'd assume that any producer would want Patti to transfer. But it'd be up to Patti to accept or decline- and if nothing else, Patti does what she wants."

Exactly.  If the show transfers without LuPone it's because she chose not to do it, not because they didn't want her.  If she gets raves for this and a transfer is announced, you can bet she'd want to come over with it, to try and parlay this into Tony #3.

[BroadwayConcierge]

A transfer without LuPone would be profoundly disappointing.

[Kad]

For what it's worth, I think Patti is a major draw but not an irreplaceable one. On this production, at least.