Stephen Sondheim honored by ‘Company” before Friday Night Performance

The show must continue.

That’s what Broadway’s latest production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company”Friday night was a great night at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater. But Marianne Elliott, the director, paid tribute to the composer who died just hours earlier at the age of 91. “He was truly the greatest artist that we in our lifetime possibly will ever know in this art form,”Before the curtain was raised, she applauded and thanked the audience for their support. “Obviously, everybody is very shocked because everybody on this production knew him very well.”

Elliott called musicals “the hardest of all theater because it involves even more people… The structure of it is so important and the way that it’s crafted is so important and he truly was a genius of all of that.”

“He was the most artistic and collaborative person ever,” Elliott continued. “We all feel extremely honored to have worked with him so closely.”

Elliott recalls meeting with Sondheim in order to suggest changes to her production of “Company,”Also, the central character can be switched from a male to a female.

“He didn’t need to do that but he became the greatest enthusiast for it. Every single line of George Furth’s and every single lyric we talked about it, we debated, we argued, we chatted, we laughed. He was hugely involved with this particular production and very proud of it, I’m so happy to say.”

Sondheim, she stated, is the main reason many people have a hard time believing in themselves. “went into theater, the reason why we went into acting and the reason why some of us went into singing… He’s just so so amazing and we truly feel doing a Sondheim on Broadway doesn’t get any better than this.”

Elliott recalled Sondheim attending the production’s first preview performance. “I could hear his laughter now,”She said. “He was so generous and so giving to us. He really knew about giving joy to the world and giving joy to the audience and I really hope tonight will be a celebration of his joy.”

Patti LuPone, star of the tribute, was left in tears after the end of the show. She added, “All of us on the stage — cast, musicians and crew — dedicate tonight and, going forward, our entire run to Stephen Sondheim.”

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