Original Company

[musicandtemiror]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:51pm

I just got into Company and I know that the revival was a John Doyle production
Was the original the same with the instruments and such or was it different?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:53pm

The original production had brilliant orchestrations by the brilliant Jonathan Tunick.

[heathurr2]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:53pm

It's pretty different. The original was in 1970.
It's fabulous though, so definitely check out the cast recording!

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 9:53pm

The original was a "normal" show. It was a new concept for a musical, but no, no instruments played by actors.

[musicandtemiror]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 10:03pm

I was just wondering if it was a "normal show"

Thanks

[heathurr2]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 10:05pm

What is your definition of a "normal show"?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 10:13pm

Seriously. Company is not normal.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 10:22pm

The original 1970 Broadway production of COMPANY was performed like a traditional book musical... orchestra pit with a conductor; a curtain; multi-level modern stylized plexiglass set; etc. The actors did not play instruments, etc.

John Doyle's trademark is having his actors play instruments along with a minimalistic, stylized production. Both recent revivals of COMPANY and SWEENEY TODD represent this style and deviate completely from the original stagings of these musicals.

Here is the set of the original 1970 Broadway production of COMPANY:



The original 'Bobby' (Dean Jones) and the original 'Joanne' (Elaine Stritch):

[keen on kean]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 10:39pm

John Doyle developed the actors-as-musicians approach out of economic necessity in regional English productions, and he subsequently used it to good effect in a number of productions since then. But can we please get past the continuing over-simplification that this approach is his only "trademark"? He has successfully directed a number of things without it, including operas in both LA and the MET in NY. He is helming Sondheim's ROAD SHOW at the Public this fall without relying on it.

The original COMPANY was a standard production with respect to actors and orchestra but was considered not "normal" for its time. It did not have a linear plot line but used a concept approach - relationships/commitment/freedom/etc. I missed the original but loved the revival. I still believe that a "normal" revival, if staged true to the tone and approach of the original, would have risked seeming terribly dated.
Updated On: 9/6/08 at 10:39 PM

[musicandtemiror]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 11:06pm

Thanks for your help
I just wanted to know if it was a traditional curtain, set, orchestra, show. Not actors playing the instruments. I was just curious
Thanks!

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 9/5/08 at 11:57pm

I would HIGHLY suggest getting your hands on the "Original Cast Recording DVD" its so great. Elaine Stritch completly breaks down during her number.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:08am

Music: do some research! Maybe Google?

[Urban]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 4:52am

Was there much dancing/choreographing in the original show? I saw a professional production last year with a fair amount of it going on (okay it wasn't exactly to the levels of say a Jerome Robbins show but it was alot more then I expect in your average Sondheim show). I just ask was there much in the original production or just the version I saw flavour it up with a couple of high kicks et cetera?

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 5:09am

Updated On: 5/1/09 at 05:09 AM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 7:04am

Yup. Michael Bennett provided the little bit of choreography and musical staging seen in the original 1970 Broadway production of COMPANY.

During the bedroom scene between Susan and Bobby, Donna McKechnie (who played Kathy) dances "Tick Tock" which interprets their sexual encounter. "Side by Side"/"What Would We Do Without You?" features quite a bit of dancing with the entire cast. There is also a go-go dancer (danced by a swing) in a cage during the Bobby/Joanne bar scene where "The Ladies Who Lunch" takes place.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 8:19am

Brody, I think you mean April and Bobby, not Susan and Bobby, who have the sexual encounter.

[musicandtemiror]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 11:30am

Okay that brings me to anyother question

In The Broadway Revival
There were times where there would be music playing when no one on stage would be playing those instruments ie: drums, and a few others
Were there additional players off stage somewhere? or pre-recorded

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 12:26pm

No. Nothing was pre-recorded and no musicians were off-stage unless there was an understudy on who didn't play a particular instrument. In that case, there would be someone in the wings playing whatever was missing, and unless you were in the front on the very very far sides, you wouldn't have been able to see him or her. For example, I saw a performance when Angel Desai was sick, and Katrina Yaukey went on for Marta. She didn't play violin, so one of the understudies who did play violin covered those parts from the wings. Other than a situation like that, no, there were never any "ghost" musicians. The drum set was way in the back, in the corner of stage right. It was kind of difficult to see sometimes because of the lighting, but it was there.

And I echo the recommendations to watch the Original Cast Recording documentary if you like the show.

Updated On: 9/6/08 at 12:26 PM

[Urban]

Posted: 9/6/08 at 1:30pm

Thank you for answering my questions LePetiteFromage and BrodyFosse!