Yes, Zoners, you read that right – Stephen Colbert will be performing in the Stephen Sondheim musical “Company” along with Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone and Martha Plimpton. According to the New York Times ArtsBeat blog:
In addition to Mr. Harris, who as the birthday-boy bachelor Robert will be wrapping his vocal cords around songs like “Marry Me a Little” and “Being Alive,” the Philharmonic said on Tuesday that its cast would feature Patti LuPone as the much-married Joanne, who belts out “The Ladies Who Lunch”; Anika Noni Rose as Marta, the girlfriend who sings “Another Hundred People”; and Martha Plimpton as Sarah, a wife with an aptitude for martial arts.
Representing the Y-chromosome set, Jim Walton will play Larry, the conciliatory husband of Joanne. Oh, and playing Harry, the semisober husband of Sarah, is Stephen Colbert, the comedian, television host, art lover and patriot.
And, in case you’re wondering, Stephen and his melodious vocalizations should be featured in the show songs Sorry-Grateful (Harry, David and Larry) as well as Have I Got A Girl for You (Larry, Peter, Paul, David and Harry).
Tickets are available now at the New York Philharmonic box office website!
… Oh my GOD WHY DON’T I LIVE IN NEW YORK.
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No freakin’ kidding! God, you guys get all the cool stuff, it’s not fair!
That’s really cool news, given his interview with Sondheim, he must be incredibly giddy right now. Hope some people here get to go, I’d love to hear about this after it takes place. Lucky, lucky New Yorkers…
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It’s about time, awesome!
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oh. my. god =D i just hope there will be some sort of video footage of this!! oh and by the way: great opportunity to have NPH on the show :))
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Woo hoo! I smell a Tony Award!!!
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No Tony award, I’m afraid—this is not an eligible Broadway theatre!
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There’s no part of this that isn’t awesome.
That is all.
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Ok–thanks DB for h/t, I got tix for Saturday at 2. Stephen, you better show up or I will cry on the curb of the Philharmonic, for real.
I promise to have a write up. This is going to be super-epic! With NPH going to be in it and all, I can’t think why they would not broadcast it somewhere.
Oh joyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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There actually is precedent for this being taped and broadcast, possibly on PBS. They may have done others, but the one that comes to mind from quite a few years ago was a concert performance of “The Wizard of Oz” with an all-star cast including Jewel as Dorothy. So let’s all light a candle and say a prayer to the god of broadcast recording and subsequent DVD sales.
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Here’s a link to email feedback to PBS’s Great Performances program. They aired the Sondheim Birthday concert that the NY Phil did, so maybe they will air this? We can hope!
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/about-the-series/feedback/442/
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I think they should at least–this cast will attract a wide ranging audience. Let’s hope so, because it would be certainly a tivo event for the ages.
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*spit, spit, spit* I am so jealous!! … lucky pkyoubuggin and all else able to go to this!!!
Please, please, please will someone decide they need to film this and sell the DVDs for charity and to support the New York Phil!!!
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ditto on living in New York. I can’t help thinking about how great it would be to be able to go to not only this but everything else that New York has to offer.
Lucky people who get to go, I am so jealous, but please remember as much as you can and report back here and have fun!!
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I gots my ticket! This is going to be very, very cool.
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SWEET BABY JESUS! This is awesome! Oh how I wish I lived in NYC! Stephen has to be so happy to be a part of this, I’m so incredibly excited for him. :D
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Ahhhhh!!! When I read about NPH doing this a while back, I thought Stephen would be perfect! So exciting he will be in it! I hope all the lucky New York Zoners get to go! I will be there a few weeks before (happily I have tickets to the Report), but it would have been nice if this had been at the same time as my trip. Stephen singing is my weakness. I’m looking forward to all the reports back at least!
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NPH and Stephen Colbert together in a Stephen Sondheim musical????
You know what? I’m actually glad I’m nowhere near NYC, otherwise I’d be tempted to go and I am CERTAIN that that would be the death of me. *nods*
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I am definitely going to go –I believe my friend has picked up the ticket.
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My friend has indeed picked up the tickets–I was holding my breath until it was confirmed. I’m on for the Friday night. It looks as if a number of us are going to different performances, so that means we’ll have a variety of reports!
I am so looking forward to this. This is great music and a great cast.
Have I said how much I love my wonderful city?
Between the Pinter and “Company,” Stephen is really spreading his wings lately. And this is truly the musical theatre “big time,” with people like Neil Patrick Harris and Patti Lupone. I do wonder if this grew out of Sondheim’s visit to TCR, or if Sondheim’s visit came about because Stephen was making plans to do this? Did the a capella “revised” version of “Send in the Clowns” seal the deal? Inquring minds want to know.
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Agreed. There is nothing about this that is not awesome, except that I’m supposed to be in Kansas for a conference those days.
For those who get to go, have fun!
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I just had to go throw cold water on my face and take my pulse, just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, or in heaven. I got tickets for this weeks ago for me and my best friend for his birthday. NPH playing Bobby was already win. Having Stephen in the cast makes it EPIC. I can’t imagine when he’ll have the time to rehearse, but I can’t describe how thrilled I am that he’s taking on more of these types of projects. It gives this theatre geek hope that some day, some how, I’ll actually get to see him in a full-fledged production of something. A girl can dream.
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Congratulations, Stephen Colbert! You are going to be performing live at Lincoln Center!!! Singing Sondheim!!! WOW!!!
I was so overjoyed when I read about this that my hand was shaking as I quickly got the tickets online! At first, I thought he got the leading role! (Why not? So what if the role is for a twenty-something? He could make it work!) But I am still very excited for him. I’m sure this must be a dream come true. I had the great fortune of seeing him at the Harold Pinter reading and I am sure that the courage and emotional risk taking that he brought to that reading is, in a “cosmic,” indirect way, part of what helped him achieve this wonderful role at Lincoln Center. (I’m sure the interview with Sondheim didn’t hurt either!)
I said in an earlier, unrelated posting that I admired how Stephen uses his celebrity for a higher good… Well, if ever there was confirmation that talent plus consistent determination, high standards of excellence and living one’s life for the better good of others brings with it the reward of achieving one’s dreams, this is certainly that confirmation. I am so, so happy for him! Sorry if that was a little over the top — but lately, I’ve been trying to make my own long-standing, almost-given-up dreams come true, and he is such an inspiration.
Saturday, April 9th, 8:00 p.m.! I’m sure I’ll be up late afterwards writing! (And those old dreams? Not giving up.) I am so excited!
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Well, if ever there was confirmation that talent plus consistent determination, high standards of excellence and living one’s life for the better good of others brings with it the reward of achieving one’s dreams, this is certainly that confirmation.
Over the top? More like completely spot-on, nicely put, and a big part of the reason why I have so much respect for him. :)
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This is so perfectly said. Truly. I couldn’t agree with you more.
To all of you who are lucky enough to be going to this, I hope you all have a fantastic time, and I cannot wait to hear about this afterward.
(Saw mention of this being filmed/broadcast-hehe, if I knew who to contact that had a say in such things, I’d happily, y’know, nudge ‘em along in making the decision to do that :p)
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OMG someone grab me a scalpel STAT!! I am selling a kidney and moving to New York!!
Seriously jealous of all you lucky Zoners who get to go to this, but can not wait for your recaps!!
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Poor Katt. You are such a devoted fan. I hope at some point you can write us saying that you are going to a taping! I feel for you Aussies and the other folks outside of the U.S.
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My friend wants to go to Japan in April, and said she go via New York with me and see the play. I’m totally up for that, I just need to find some money and take time of Uni. Here’s praying for a miracle!!
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Just got a ticket for Saturday at 2 p.m. Thanks for letting us know, DB. The seats seem to be going fast.
Should be fun> I love hearing Stephen sing – am super excited.
Maybe when the date gets closer we can organize a meet-up of Zoners going on Saturday?
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Yay, I am so excited for Stephen and all you lucky, lucky people who get to go!
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I…HAVE…TICKETS!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the heads-up today, DB! You made a really bad day for me a really good one!
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wow! i expect an extensive show audience report :)
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If I start swimming now, I might make it over…
To all the lucky Zoners going, I know you’ll have an amazing time! Have fun, make sure you file a Report and here’s hoping for a dvd of the show.
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How amazing! So happy for Stephen, I am sure he is thrilled. Have a great time everyone who goes!
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Wow, you NY guys are lucky! I’m too far away to go to NY, but I hope they upload a video of it! Or a charity DVD! Gosh, I just love Stephen’s awesome voice! I will send that feedback message now, let’s hope they put the video online!
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This is making me cry. I became a member of the Colbert Nation/Stephen admirer just after Thanksgiving last year. But now I’m in France and won’t be back in the US for quite a while (I usually live in NJ). And this is something that combines 2 of my greatest passions (musical theatre (ESPECIALLY if it’s Sondheim) and Stephen himself), so it’s a great disappointment that I won’t get to see this as I have enough money for a ticket but not more for a round trip plane ride back and forth. :’-( I can only hope that Stephen will perform in another musical when I’m actually IN the US again and then I’ll finally get to hear him sing live. I’m sorry if I sound like a downer. To all of those who are actually going, please enjoy the experience to the fullest on my behalf.
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