COMPANY BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM

COMPANY BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM, BASED ON THE NOVEL BY GEORGE FURTH

For the new musical comedy, the Madlenianum management, led by an artistic director Andrej Rackov, has chosen the musical comedy Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and based on the book by George Furth. The original Broadway production from 1970, done and directed by Harold Prince with orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, was nominated for a record 14 Tony Awards, winning six. Company was among the first 'book' musicals that dealt with contemporary dating, marriage, and divorce, and is a significant example of a 'conceptual musical' without a linear plot. In a series of vignettes, Company follows the bachelor Bobby in interactions with his married friends, who throw a party for his 35th birthday. Musical rehearsals have been underway at Madlenianum since the end of last year under the baton of the conductor Vesna Souc, who, together with Jovana Jezdovic, has also done the lyrics adaptation based on the translation by Zoran and Ivana Paunovic, the directorial rehearsals are led by Nebojsa Bradic, Geroslav Zaric is in charge of the set design, Marina Medenica is the costume designer, and Vera Obradovic is the choreographer, while the proofreading will be done by Dijana Marojevic. The premiere of this musical is expected on March 15th on the Large Stage of Madlenianum.

Stephen Sondheim's musical changed the rules of the game and brought to the stage a sophisticated and honest perspective on modern adult relationships. From the most renowned composer of musical theatre, his musical Company is widely considered a pioneer of the modern musical genre - the genre of dark comedy. Simultaneously, this musical comedy has received 6 Tony Awards, including: Best Musical, Best Music and Lyrics, Best Direction, Best Set Design, and Best Novel for the source material on which the musical is based. The revivals of the musical in 2007 and 2022 also won Tony Awards in various categories.

On the night of his 35th birthday, a confirmed bachelor Robert reflects on his unmarried status. Throughout a series of dinners, drinks, and even weddings, his friends – 'those good and crazy people [his] married friends' – explain the pros and cons of life with a spouse. Robert, who has always been single, is forced to reconsider his steadfast bachelor status through a series of hilarious interactions.

The musical comedy Company not only defies the stereotype of "the guy gets the girl," a theme typical in Broadway musicals, but successfully "pivots" around a guy who isn't even actively seeking a girlfriend, despite dating three of them. On the day of his 35th birthday, Robert confronts the fact that he is single, unlike his friends who are all in (what he perceives) happy marriages. Where is he? Where is this leading? Couldn't he start thinking about... marriage? This musical comedy is a story about life, love, and loneliness in the big city.

The work is characterized by an exceptionally lively and energetic score with many of Stephen Sondheim's most famous songs. The strength of the piece lies in its vivid yet realistic characters, and everybody in the audience will see a reflection of themselves in at least one of the characters on stage. Company has a brilliantly lively and energetic score that includes many of Stephen Sondheim's most famous songs and internationally renowned numbers: “Company”, "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," "The Ladies Who Lunch," "Side by Side," and "Being Alive”.

The leading role in the play is portrayed by Slaven Doslo. His "company" includes: Vanja Milacic, Branislava Podrumac, Ivana Popovic, Jelena Jovicic, Olivera Bacic, Natasa Markovic, Tanja Zivkovic, Tatjana Dimitrijevic, Daniel Sic, Zarko Stepanov, Hadzi Nenad Maricic, Nikola Bulatovic and Petar Djurdjevic.

The play is performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International www.mtishows.eu.