Stephen Sondheim and John Tiffany at Work on Reconceived Version of Company
(© David Gordon)
Composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim and director John Tiffany are at work on a major revision of Sondheim's landmark musical Company for Roundabout Theater Company, according to The New York Times.
Tiffany, currently represented on Broadway with an acclaimed revival of The Glass Menagerie, is staging a reading for Roundabout later this week that will reimagine the 1970 musical's protagonist, Robert, as a gay man with commitment issues and multiple boyfriends. As written by Sondheim and George Furth, Robert (also known as Bobby) is commitment-phobic with multiple girlfriends.
The reading, which has been cleared by Sondheim and features certain revisions of lyrics and dialogue by the composer, will star Daniel Evans (Roundabout's 2008 revival of Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George) as Bobby, with Alan Cumming (Cabaret) in the now gender-reversed role of Joanne. Bobby Steggert (Big Fish) and Michael Urie (Buyer & Cellar) are also part of the cast.
Whether the reading will lead to a full production is still to be determined.
