Stephen Sondheim "COMPANY" Elaine Stritch / Donna McKechnie 1972 London Flyer

Description

This is a rare advertising handbill (flyer) promoting ticket sales for the opening of the Original West End production of the STEPHEN SONDHEIM and GEORGE FURTH musical comedy "COMPANY" at Her Majesty's Theatre in London beginning January 18th, 1972. (The Original Broadway production opened April 26th, 1970 at New York's Alvin Theatre and ran for 706 performances. The London production opened January 18th, 1972 and ran for 344 performances.) ..... The musical starred LARRY KERT as "Robert" and ELAINE STRITCH as "Joanne" and the cast included MARTI STEVENS, TERI RALSTON, KENNETH KIMMINS, DONNA McKECHNIE, LEE GOODMAN, BETH HOWLAND, STEVE ELMORE, ROBERT GOSS, ANNIE McGREEVEY, CAROL RICHARDS, J. T. CROMWELL and JOY FRANZ ..... Side Note: Although ANTHONY PERKINS was slated to play the lead in the Broadway production, DEAN JONES was chosen for the role in this "anti-marriage" musical. Unfortunately, Jones was going through his own marital difficulties and as early as the Boston tryouts had expressed a desire to leave the production. Producer HAROLD PRINCE offered Jones an out, saying that if he stuck with the show through opening night, he would release him from his contract. Several weeks after the Broadway Premiere, Jones left the production. The news release claimed it was due to an illness. He did manage to take time to participate in recording the Original Broadway Cast album. Replacing Jones was LARRY KERT who would play the role of "Robert" for the next two years and be honored as the first replacement star to be nominated for a Tony Award ..... CREDITS: Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM ("A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum", "West Side Story", "Gypsy", "Follies", "Merrily We Roll Along", "A Little Night Music", "Do I Hear a Waltz?", "Sweeney Todd", "Pacific Overtures", "Sunday in the Park With George", "Into the Woods", "Passion", "Assassins", "Bounce"); Book by GEORGE FURTH; Sets designed by BORIS ARONSON; Costumes designed by D. D. RYAN; Choreographed by MICHAEL BENNETT; Directed by HAROLD PRINCE; Produced by HAROLD PRINCE and RICHARD PILBROW in association with RUTH MITCHELL ..... DETAILS: Advertising handbills (heralds) were distributed or inserted into the playbills of other productions to help generate ticket sales for upcoming shows and events. This single page, two-sided handbill measures 6" X 9 1/2" inches and includes wonderful graphics and production credits on the front and excerpts from several New York reviews, promotional text, ticket prices and a ticket order form on the backside  ..... CONDITION: With the exception of minor edge wear and light creasing at the top, this rare handbill is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard ..... SHIPPING DISCOUNTS: Check my "Other Items" for additional rare Broadway playbills and other theatre related memorabilia. Shipping discounts are available for multiple purchases when all items are combined into a single payment. Please wait for a revised invoice before sending payment ..... THANKS !!!
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