Original Cast Album: "Company" (1970)

[Scottie]

[Gacivory]

I heard a rumor that the Documentary Now! episode would be included. I'm just excited to see this! The Raul Esparza production is one of my favorite musicals of all time!

[MavisGary610]

Is this a recording of the actual show? If it is, I haven't come across it before. I have the recordings of the 2006/2011 revivals, but not this one. I hope they record the Katrina Lenk version and release that at some point down the line.

[Gacivory]

Originally Posted by MavisGary610

Is this a recording of the actual show? If it is, I haven't come across it before. I have the recordings of the 2006/2011 revivals, but not this one. I hope they record the Katrina Lenk version and release that at some point down the line.

Its a documentary about the recording of the cast album. Musicals record cast albums separate from the performances.

From the Wikipedia article for the musical Company.

Original Cast Album: Company[edit]
The making of the original cast recording was captured by award-winning documentary filmmaker D. A. Pennebaker shortly after the show opened on Broadway[16] as a pilot for a TV series highlighting the different ways a cast-album recording session could be conducted. However, a week after the original screening, all the original producers for the proposed series were hired to go out to Hollywood and head up production at MGM. As nobody was left in New York to spearhead the project, the series was scrapped. Only this lone pilot film remains of an idea never brought to fruition.[17]

The 1970 film Original Cast Album: Company is filled with behind the scenes footage of the 14-hour recording process at the Columbia Records Big Church recording studio at East 30th Street and Third Avenue on the first Sunday in May, complete with much of the musical direction from and insight of Sondheim himself. Several of the show's numbers were captured in the film—including "Another Hundred People", "Getting Married Today", and "Being Alive"—all recorded with a live orchestra, done in multiple takes over the course of several hours.

Eventually only "The Ladies Who Lunch" remained to be recorded. It was well past midnight, and Stritch, Sondheim, and the orchestra were all clearly suffering from the effects of the day's marathon recording session. Stritch struggled repeatedly to record a satisfactory version of the song, even going so far as to slightly drop the key for a few takes. Her voice continued to degrade and her energy continued to ebb away. As she struggled, some conflict was seen between Stritch, the producer Thomas Z. Shepard, and Sondheim.

Before dawn, everyone agreed to stop. They recorded one last take of the orchestra by themselves and agreed to have Stritch come back early in the week and record the vocal over the previously recorded orchestra track.[18] The finale of the film features a revitalized Stritch, in full hair and makeup in preparation for a Wednesday matinee performance of the show, successfully performing "The Ladies Who Lunch" in one take.

[robert kaplan]

This was on LaserDisc some time ago....ancient history...was very interesting.

[monorail91]

Wishful thinking — but I noticed the Revival and Concert films are both now out of print on Blu-ray. Fingers crossed!?

[HaroldnMaude]

I have this on dvd. The most interesting part is Stritch trying to do Ladies Who Lunch to please Sondheim. Please remember that Dean Jones left the show within days of recording the cast album and the opening due to his marriage failing. Larry Kert replaced him and was deemed eligible for the Tony nomination instead of Jones.

[broadwaybobl]

So when is this being released? I am anxious to see what Criterion does with this and hope the rumor about the "CO-OP" parody being included is true!!!

[McCrutchy]

The original 1970 album is now available on remastered Hybrid Stereo and Quadraphonic SACD (which will also play in stereo on CD players) from Dutton Vocalion!

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/pro...?prod=CDLK4638

I've never seen / heard this, but Dutton Vocalion's Quad SACDs are incredible, and you should definitely buy this if you like the music.

[Scottie]

Release Date: August 17, 2021

https://www.criterion.com/films/3021...-album-company

[Gacivory]

Can’t wait! Gonna preorder!

[LPMA]

I've never seen the documentary, but this article was enough to generate interest:
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/th...-album-company

[Dubstar]

Whoah--ho day 1 for sure !!

[bookcase]

Completely unexpected, but I am thrilled!! Another DVD makes its way to the trash bin.

[Namuhana]

Super stoked for a new Sondheim commentary. This is an instant preorder.

[MtGiraffe]

All I want from this is for the Documentary Now! parody to be included. But I’m also interested to see what other extras Criterion comes up with. This is a fantastic announcement!

EDIT: Dreams come true! Not only is “Co-Op” listed as a bonus feature on Criterion’s website, there’s also a 2020 reunion of the “Co-Op” cast!

https://www.criterion.com/films/3021...-album-company

”Shut up and take my money!”

[ccinsf]

Best Buy has shipped my copy and it should arrive tomorrow! That’s a pleasant surprise.

[Gacivory]

Review is up! Sounds great! I'm super excited to hear the new commentary and watch the new documentary on it, Side by Side!

[nearjm]

I have the original DVD, and the soundtrack is in decent, genuine stereo. Does anyone know why Criterion opted for a mono soundtrack? Seems like a very odd choice, and my current intention is to stick with my DVD.

[yoloswegmaster420]

Originally Posted by nearjm

I have the original DVD, and the soundtrack is in decent, genuine stereo. Does anyone know why Criterion opted for a mono soundtrack? Seems like a very odd choice, and my current intention is to stick with my DVD.

Do you have any proof that it was shot in stereo? You can stick with the DVD but everyone else interested in this will be picking up the Bluray.