Company

Company is a musical by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth about Robert, a single man in New York, and marriage among his friends. Its scenes explore commitment through encounters with five married couples and three girlfriends.

Robert (Company): Robert is the central character of Company, a single man whose friends’ relationships shape his view of marriage. His reactions connect the musical’s separate encounters into one portrait of ambivalence.
Stephen Sondheim: Stephen Sondheim was an American composer and lyricist known for intricate, verbally sophisticated musical theater. He composed the score and wrote the lyrics for Company.
Company (1995 London production): The 1995 London production of Company was a major West End revival starring Adrian Lester as Robert. Its casting and performance renewed attention to Robert’s identity and age.
Concept musical: A concept musical organizes its scenes and songs around a central idea rather than a continuous plot. Company is a prominent example of this structure, using marriage as its organizing question.
Being Alive: “Being Alive” is a Company song in which Robert confronts the vulnerability and demands of intimacy. It gives voice to the emotional shift at the musical’s close.
George Furth: George Furth was an American actor and playwright whose short plays became the basis for Company. His linked scenes supplied the show’s characters and dramatic framework.
Company (2006 Broadway revival): The 2006 Broadway revival of Company was directed by John Doyle, with actors playing instruments onstage. Its actor-musician staging made the relationships among performers visibly part of the form.
Book musical: A book musical integrates songs into a continuous dramatic story with a spoken script. Company’s fragmented sequence differs from the usual continuous narrative.
Another Hundred People: “Another Hundred People” is a Company song about the crowded anonymity and possibility of New York City. Marta’s view of the city contrasts with Robert’s social isolation.
Harold Prince: Harold Prince was an American theater director and producer who shaped major Broadway musicals. He directed Company’s original production and helped establish its episodic staging.

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