Company

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Variety called this Sondheim classic reimagined by director John Doyle, the 2007 Tony Award winner for Best Revival (Musical), "striking, revelatory, and thoroughly compelling." Star Raúl Esparza, says the New York Times, gives the piece "the most compelling center it has probably ever had."

Description

2007 Tony Award Winner: Best Revival of a Musical

"Mr. Doyle and his invaluable music supervisor and orchestrator, Mary-Mitchell Campbell, have shaped Company into a sort of oratorio for the church of the lonely.”Ben Brantley, New York Times

 

Nonesuch and PS Classics released the cast album from the 2006 Broadway production of Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, on February 13, 2007. Originally produced in 1970, the six-time Tony Award-winning Company examines the lives of a group of friends in New York City—five married couples, three single women, and one enigmatic, conflicted bachelor (Robert, played by Raúl Esparza)—as they celebrate his 35th birthday and deal with issues of romance, commitment, and friendship. The record was produced by PS Classics co-founder Tommy Krasker (Sondheim’s The Frogs, Saturday Night, Assassins, and Sweeney Todd, among others).

Company opened to critical praise in November 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. New York magazine’s Jeremy McCarter says, “After Sweeney Todd, I will follow John Doyle anywhere.” He continues, “Inside Bobby’s head, the instruments reinforce how alienated he is from the people around him. His friends play oboes and violins and things, but he doesn’t, which is fitting for an outsider who ‘always looks like he’s keeping score’…But when he gets to unfurl for his big closing number…it’s like being in midtown when a blackout ends.”Rounding out the cast—which is composed of actor/musicians, who also act as the orchestra—are: Barbara Walsh (Joanne/orchestra bells, percussion), Keith Buterbaugh (Harry/trumpet, trombone), Matt Castle (Peter/piano, keyboards, double bass), Robert Cunningham (Paul/trumpet, drums), Angel Desai (Marta/keyboard, violin, alto sax), Kelly Jeanne Grant (Kathy/flute, alto sax), Kristin Huffman (Sarah/flute, alto sax, piccolo), Amy Justman (Susan/piano, keyboards, orchestra bells), Heather Laws(Amy/French horn, trumpet, flute), Leenya Rideout (Jenny/violin, guitar, double bass), Fred Rose (David/cello, alto sax, tenor sax), Bruce Sabath (Larry/clarinet, drums), and Elizabeth Stanley (April/oboe, tuba, alto sax). The new Broadway production of Company is produced by Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Darren Bagert (co-producers of the award winning revival of Sweeney Todd), and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Bounce (2003), Saturday Night (1997), Passion (1994), Assassins (1991), Into the Woods (1987), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sweeney Todd (1979), Pacific Overtures (1976), The Frogs (1974), A Little Night Music (1973), Follies (1971, revised in London 1987), Company (1970), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum (1962), as well as lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear a Waltz? (1965), and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side by Side by Sondheim (1976), Marry Me a Little (1981), You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983), and Putting It Together (1992) are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. Sondheim’s previous Nonesuch recordings include Into the Woods (2002), The Frogs/Evening Primrose (2001), Saturday Night (2000), Bounce (2004), and Sweeney Todd (2006).

George Furth (book) graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Speech and did graduate work at Columbia University. After appearing in dozens of films and countless television shows as an actor, he went on to write (the play or book) for Company, Twigs, The Act, The Supporting Cast, Merrily We Roll Along, Precious Sons, and Getting Away with Murder (with Stephen Sondheim). He is currently in workshop with a new musical revue, The End. Furth has won Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, London’s Olivier and Evening Standard, Chicago’s Jefferson, the Andy, and Drama League Awards. He is a member of the Actors Studio and the Dramatists Guild.

 

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Recording produced by Tommy Krasker
Recorded December 18–19, 2006, at Sear Sound, New York, NY
Associate Producer: Peter E. Jones
Engineered by Tom Lazarus
Assistant Engineers: Chris Allen, Ethan Donaldson, Josh Kramer-Burghardt
Edited by Bart Migal at Classic Sound, New York, NY
Mixed by Tom Lazarus at Classic Sound
Mastered by Joe Lambert at Trutone Mastering, New York, NY
Orchestrated by Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Conducted by Lynne Shankel
Music Preparation: Kaye-Houston Music/Annie Kaye, Doug Houston
For PS Classics:
Executive Producer: Philip Chaffin
Staff Engineer: Bart Migal
Editorial Coordinator: Clifton Guterman
Assistant to the Producers: Robbie Rozelle
Recording Executive Producers: Robert Hurwitz and Philip Chaffin

All music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim

Design by Gabriele Wilson
Stage Photography by Paul Kolnik

Nonesuch Selection Number

79635

Number of Discs in Set
1disc
ns_album_artistid
105
ns_album_id
656
ns_album_releasedate
ns_genre_1
0
ns_genre_2
0
Album Status
Artist Name
Stephen Sondheim
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Raúl Esparza, Robert; vocals (1, 3, 5, 7-13, 15, 17, 18), piano
Barbara Walsh, Joanne; vocals (3, 14, 16, 17), percussion
Keith Buterbaugh, Harry; vocals (3, 6, 14), trumpet, trombone
Matt Castle, Peter; vocals (6), piano/keyboard, double bass
Robert Cunningham, Paul; vocals (9), trumpet, drums
Angel Desai, Marta; vocals (5, 8), keyboard, violin, alto sax
Kelly Jeanne Grant, Kathy; vocals (5, 8), flute, alto sax
Kristin Huffman, Sarah; vocals (3, 14), flute, alto sax, piccolo
Amy Justman, Susan; vocals (9, 14), piano/keyboard
Heather Laws, Amy; vocals (9, 10, 14), French horn, trumpet, flute
Leenya Rideout, Jenny; vocals (14), violin, guitar, double bass
Fred Rose, David; vocals (4-6, 14), cello, alto sax, tenor sax
Bruce Sabath, Larry; vocals (4, 6, 17), clarinet, drums
Elizabeth Stanley, April; vocals (5, 8, 15), oboe, tuba, alto sax

Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
CD+MP3
UPC
075597999136BUN
Label
MP3
Price
11.00
UPC
075597999129
Label
CD+MP3 (SALE)
Price
0.00
UPC
075597999136
  • 79635

News & Reviews

  • Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim died at his home in Connecticut today at the age of 91. "An intellectually rigorous artist who perpetually sought new creative paths, Mr. Sondheim was the theater’s most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century," writes the New York Times in its obituary. Several Broadway, film, and original cast productions of his works have been recorded for Nonesuch Records, including A Little Night Music, Road Show, Sweeney Todd, Company, Bounce, Into the Woods, The Frogs, Evening Primrose, Saturday Night, and Gypsy. His songs have also been featured on Nonesuch albums by Mandy Patinkin, Audra McDonald, and Dawn Upshaw.

  • Steve Reich will publish Conversations, a new book, via HarperCollins' Hanover Square Press, on March 8, 2022. In the book, the composer speaks with collaborators, fellow composers, musicians, and visual artists influenced by his work—including Nonesuch Records Chairman Emeritus Robert Hurwitz, Jonny Greenwood, Kronos Quartet's David Harrington, Stephen Sondheim, Nico Muhly, Brian Eno, Michael Gordon, and others—to reflect on his prolific career as a composer as well as the music that inspired him and that has been inspired by him. The New York Times calls it "a surprising, enlightening series of conversations that shed new light on the music and career of 'our greatest living composer.'" The New Yorker says: "Through this series of insightful, wide-ranging conversations starting from his student days to the present pandemic, we gain a compelling glimpse into the mind of 'the most original musical thinker of our time.'"

Buy Now

  • About This Album

    2007 Tony Award Winner: Best Revival of a Musical

    "Mr. Doyle and his invaluable music supervisor and orchestrator, Mary-Mitchell Campbell, have shaped Company into a sort of oratorio for the church of the lonely.”Ben Brantley, New York Times

     

    Nonesuch and PS Classics released the cast album from the 2006 Broadway production of Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, on February 13, 2007. Originally produced in 1970, the six-time Tony Award-winning Company examines the lives of a group of friends in New York City—five married couples, three single women, and one enigmatic, conflicted bachelor (Robert, played by Raúl Esparza)—as they celebrate his 35th birthday and deal with issues of romance, commitment, and friendship. The record was produced by PS Classics co-founder Tommy Krasker (Sondheim’s The Frogs, Saturday Night, Assassins, and Sweeney Todd, among others).

    Company opened to critical praise in November 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. New York magazine’s Jeremy McCarter says, “After Sweeney Todd, I will follow John Doyle anywhere.” He continues, “Inside Bobby’s head, the instruments reinforce how alienated he is from the people around him. His friends play oboes and violins and things, but he doesn’t, which is fitting for an outsider who ‘always looks like he’s keeping score’…But when he gets to unfurl for his big closing number…it’s like being in midtown when a blackout ends.”Rounding out the cast—which is composed of actor/musicians, who also act as the orchestra—are: Barbara Walsh (Joanne/orchestra bells, percussion), Keith Buterbaugh (Harry/trumpet, trombone), Matt Castle (Peter/piano, keyboards, double bass), Robert Cunningham (Paul/trumpet, drums), Angel Desai (Marta/keyboard, violin, alto sax), Kelly Jeanne Grant (Kathy/flute, alto sax), Kristin Huffman (Sarah/flute, alto sax, piccolo), Amy Justman (Susan/piano, keyboards, orchestra bells), Heather Laws(Amy/French horn, trumpet, flute), Leenya Rideout (Jenny/violin, guitar, double bass), Fred Rose (David/cello, alto sax, tenor sax), Bruce Sabath (Larry/clarinet, drums), and Elizabeth Stanley (April/oboe, tuba, alto sax). The new Broadway production of Company is produced by Marc Routh, Richard Frankel, Tom Viertel, Steven Baruch, Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Darren Bagert (co-producers of the award winning revival of Sweeney Todd), and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

    Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Bounce (2003), Saturday Night (1997), Passion (1994), Assassins (1991), Into the Woods (1987), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sweeney Todd (1979), Pacific Overtures (1976), The Frogs (1974), A Little Night Music (1973), Follies (1971, revised in London 1987), Company (1970), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum (1962), as well as lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear a Waltz? (1965), and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side by Side by Sondheim (1976), Marry Me a Little (1981), You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983), and Putting It Together (1992) are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. Sondheim’s previous Nonesuch recordings include Into the Woods (2002), The Frogs/Evening Primrose (2001), Saturday Night (2000), Bounce (2004), and Sweeney Todd (2006).

    George Furth (book) graduated from Northwestern University’s School of Speech and did graduate work at Columbia University. After appearing in dozens of films and countless television shows as an actor, he went on to write (the play or book) for Company, Twigs, The Act, The Supporting Cast, Merrily We Roll Along, Precious Sons, and Getting Away with Murder (with Stephen Sondheim). He is currently in workshop with a new musical revue, The End. Furth has won Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, London’s Olivier and Evening Standard, Chicago’s Jefferson, the Andy, and Drama League Awards. He is a member of the Actors Studio and the Dramatists Guild.

     

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Raúl Esparza, Robert; vocals (1, 3, 5, 7-13, 15, 17, 18), piano
    Barbara Walsh, Joanne; vocals (3, 14, 16, 17), percussion
    Keith Buterbaugh, Harry; vocals (3, 6, 14), trumpet, trombone
    Matt Castle, Peter; vocals (6), piano/keyboard, double bass
    Robert Cunningham, Paul; vocals (9), trumpet, drums
    Angel Desai, Marta; vocals (5, 8), keyboard, violin, alto sax
    Kelly Jeanne Grant, Kathy; vocals (5, 8), flute, alto sax
    Kristin Huffman, Sarah; vocals (3, 14), flute, alto sax, piccolo
    Amy Justman, Susan; vocals (9, 14), piano/keyboard
    Heather Laws, Amy; vocals (9, 10, 14), French horn, trumpet, flute
    Leenya Rideout, Jenny; vocals (14), violin, guitar, double bass
    Fred Rose, David; vocals (4-6, 14), cello, alto sax, tenor sax
    Bruce Sabath, Larry; vocals (4, 6, 17), clarinet, drums
    Elizabeth Stanley, April; vocals (5, 8, 15), oboe, tuba, alto sax

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Recording produced by Tommy Krasker
    Recorded December 18–19, 2006, at Sear Sound, New York, NY
    Associate Producer: Peter E. Jones
    Engineered by Tom Lazarus
    Assistant Engineers: Chris Allen, Ethan Donaldson, Josh Kramer-Burghardt
    Edited by Bart Migal at Classic Sound, New York, NY
    Mixed by Tom Lazarus at Classic Sound
    Mastered by Joe Lambert at Trutone Mastering, New York, NY
    Orchestrated by Mary-Mitchell Campbell
    Conducted by Lynne Shankel
    Music Preparation: Kaye-Houston Music/Annie Kaye, Doug Houston
    For PS Classics:
    Executive Producer: Philip Chaffin
    Staff Engineer: Bart Migal
    Editorial Coordinator: Clifton Guterman
    Assistant to the Producers: Robbie Rozelle
    Recording Executive Producers: Robert Hurwitz and Philip Chaffin

    All music and lyrics written by Stephen Sondheim

    Design by Gabriele Wilson
    Stage Photography by Paul Kolnik