Company (musical) - Definition and Overview

Company is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by George Furth. It concerns the relationships between Robert, a single man who is celebrating his 35th birthday, and the five married couples who are his best friends. Unlike most musicals which follow a clearly delineated plot, Company is comprised of short scenes in no particular chronological order, all of them apparently taking place in Robert's memory at a single moment during his surprise birthday party. Among the memorable songs in the show are "The Little Things You Do Together", "Sorry-Grateful", "Another Hundred People", "Getting Married Today", "The Ladies Who Lunch", "Being Alive", and the title song.

"Company" opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 26, 1970 and starred Dean Jones, Barbara Barrie, Charles Kimbrough, and Elaine Stritch. It was the first of several successful collaborations between Sondheim and director Harold Prince. It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award and the Tony Award for Best Musical.