Original Cast Album: Company (1970)
January 27, 2025 1:30 PM - Subscribe

"Company", the musical's original cast recording session was filmed by D.A. Pennebaker in one long day (and night) in 1970. Captures interactions between Stephen Sondheim, performers and live recording process, culminating with Elaine Stritch's iconic "The Ladies Who Lunch"...

The full magnificent documentary is available for free on YouTube.

Previously, about 'Getting married today'.

Various versions of the full performance of 'Company' can be also found online. f. ex. this Tony winner 2006 production starring Raúl Esparza.
posted by growabrain (3 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
A side recommendation: the pitch-perfect Documentary Now episode “Original Cast Album: Co-Op” that spoofs this is also on YouTube. Featuring Renée Elise Goldsberry, John Mulaney, Paula Pell, Richard Kind, etc.
posted by bcwinters at 1:51 PM on January 27 [6 favorites]


I get so conflicted about Sondheim in general and this show particularly -- I mean, this show is cisheteropatriarchy and amatonormativity central, though some companies have tried to flex that and I appreciate them for it.

I can't stand Ladies Who Lunch, frankly -- I can't read it in any way that isn't deeply misogynist with a strong ageist inflection. If it's really about class, why aren't we talking about Gentlemen Who Golf too?

But then there's Another Hundred People, which is beautiful and I adore it. So yeah. This show? I get so conflicted.

I'll check out the documentary, though. Maybe it'll help me think this through.
posted by humbug at 2:40 PM on January 27 [2 favorites]


Great timing, I actually just watched a slime tutorial of the gender-swapped Broadway production the other day! It (both versions) has been on my mind a lot since, so thank you for the supplemental material. I think Company is my favourite Sondheim, which I gather is weird for a queer millennial West Coaster, but it is.
posted by btfreek at 11:12 PM on January 29 [2 favorites]


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