Tony/Olivier-winner to direct gender-swapped COMPANY; Sondheim approves- Page 3

[wiggum2]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 2:28pm

SonofRobbieJ said: "It was noted above that they may make 'April' 'Andy' and male.  But it will still work.  Though the joke of 'June' 'April' will be lost.  

 

"

that was what I was thinking, Bobby can't remember her name but knows it's a month

[Valentina3]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 2:47pm

They could go with August if they want to keep the joke. 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 3:34pm

^^

Bobby:  You're just a very special boy.... Amos.

Andy:  Andy.

Bobby:  Andy. 

Andy:  Thank you.

Updated On: 7/21/17 at 03:34 PM

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 4:19pm

^^^ Now That was funny!

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 4:33pm

Agreed!  That was fantastic, henrick!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 5:19pm

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "I've been saying it since age 15 and I'll share it here too. I don't care if you are Larry Kert, if you portray Bobby as gay you lose the whole point of the piece. It essentially turns into a coming out story, when in reality the moral is SO much more deep and complicated than that.

I don't think "deep' and 'complicated' are the right words...I would say 'universal'.  Coming to terms with his gayness in 1971 or 2 (whenever it opened) would be very deep and complicated, but narrowed to a specific 'population' in focus.  If you assume that it is about a person who doesn't know how to commit himself to a partner OF ANY SEXUAL PERSUASION, that is more universal.

If Larry Kert portrayed Bobby as gay, I really didn't see it; but, I aways thought he was a better singer than actor, so I might have missed it.

 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 7:34pm

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "I've been saying it since age 15 and I'll share it here too. I don't care if you are Larry Kert, if you portray Bobby as gay you lose the whole point of the piece. It essentially turns into a coming out story, when in reality the moral is SO much more deep and complicated than that.

 

"

Years before I worked with him and heard his approach to the role, I saw Larry Kept in COMPANY. He didn't mince through the evening. And it's not like he was playing in Peoria, where Prince, Furth and Sondheim wouldn't see what he was doing.

In his account to me and others, he was describing the subtext he brought to the part. What an actor uses for subtext doesn't necessarily read literally to the audience, even though it may make his/her performance seem richer and more cohesive.

As I said above, I agree with you that the "coming out story" oversimplifies what is a complex view of relationships, gay or straight.

***

Speaking of which, one of the things I liked about Neil Patrick Harris in the part was that he was, in my experience, the first Bobby who would actually bring soup to sick friends or be trusted to babysit their kids. Often times, Bobby is played so intensely, one doesn't really believe all the couples actually LIKE him.

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/21/17 at 9:59pm

I saw Jim Stanek as Bobby, and he played the role without irony or condescension or dark sarcasm. It became a portrait of a guy who really does have it all, and realizes he wants something more.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/21/17 at 6:23pm

Patti's taking "Ladies Who Lunch" to the West End.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/189771/well-drink-to-that-gender-swapped-company-with-patti-lupone-heading-to-the-west-end/

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 9/21/17 at 6:45pm

Patti Ann "War Paint is my last musical" LuPone is doing Joanne in the West End!?!? GOSH. SO exciting!!!!

[CorkySt.Clair]

Posted: 9/21/17 at 6:48pm

Those lucky Brits! (and I'm ever so glad that Patti wasn't sticking to that promise!)

[binau]

Posted: 9/21/17 at 6:51pm

I wonder if the show would work even better with a female lead. I'd definitely be curious. 

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 9/21/17 at 6:54pm

Oh my.

Crappy day at work and this totally made it. Rosalie Craig is the icing on the cake.

[Wick3]

Posted: 9/21/17 at 7:01pm

CindersGolightly said: "Patti Ann "War Paint is my last musical" LuPone is doing Joanne in the West End!?!? GOSH. SO exciting!!!!"

hooray!!!!! Looking forward to a London trip sometime fall 2018!

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/21/17 at 7:34pm

Whoaaa!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 9/22/17 at 5:36pm

I was feeling rather nonplussed towards this production but I'm a whole lot more interested (and have deja vu) now.  

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 6:14pm

You Could Drive A Person Crazy: @RFleeshman @gblagden & @MatSeadonYoung play , respectively, Andy, PJ & Theo who are @Rosiemae ‘s boyfriends (gender swap from April , Marta & Kathy) in @_elliottharper production @CompanyWestEnd

https://twitter.com/bazbam/status/1012454419512856576?s=21

[Valentina3]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 6:17pm

These 3 have the exact same nose and similar eyes. Bobby has a type - who knew!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/28/18 at 9:25pm

They're gender-swapping the girlfriends too? What cowards! Too afraid to have a lesbian Bobbi? Or is this Sondheim's doing? 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 4:38pm

Bump

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 4:52pm

Not sure why this was bumped, but I will use it as an opportunity to address JBroadway's comment. I don't think the creatives are afraid of having a lesbian Bobbi, I simply think that this is an extension of Sondheim's original idea that Bobby or Bobbi's lack of commitment is not to be construed as indecision about his/her sexuality.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 5:07pm

QueenAlice said: "Not sure why this was bumped, but I will use it as an opportunity to address JBroadway's comment. I don't think the creatives are afraid of having a lesbian Bobbi, I simply think that this is an extension of Sondheim's original idea that Bobby or Bobbi's lack of commitment is not to be construed as indecision about his/her sexuality. "

This comment is really most of my conversations with my musical theater friends about Company. Calling Bobby gay is just about the laziest trope/explanation for that character. The creator of the show said he's not gay. Why must we tell that to ourselves to make the story more palatable to us? In the context of a truly re-envisioned show, I would be curious about changes in character sexualities etc., but Company as written, does not have a gay lead character.

I'm perfectly fine with a true gender swap in this West End production. Wouldn't have minded a guy singing Not Getting Married Today (is that happening?)

Updated On: 9/12/18 at 05:07 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 5:20pm

Yes, Amy is now Andy.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 5:26pm

This production sounds so fun!!
 

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 9/12/18 at 6:01pm

Kad said: "Yes, Amy is now Andy."

No, Amy is Jamie. April is Andy. 

 

I really wish I could be fiscally irresponsible and go to London for this! I'm hoping for a filmed version, though.