Industry NewsKatrina Lenk and Patti LuPone Join Company Panel at Guggenheim’s Spring 2020 Works & Process SeriesTony-winning director Marianne Elliott will discuss the upcoming revival of the Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical with the stars.
By
Dan Meyer
January 14, 2020
Two-time Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliott (Angels in America, The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time) will illuminate the creative process behind her revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company, with fellow Tony winners Katrina Lenk (The Band's Visit) and Patti LuPone (Gypsy, Evita) joining the panel.
The event will take place February 3 at the Guggenheim Museum, as part of the art institution's spring 2020 Works & Process Series. Company, with Lenk as Bobbie and LuPone as Joanne, will begin previews on Broadway March 2 with a new gender-swapped production that transfers across the pond following its Olivier-winning run in the West End.
The series' slate of offerings also includes a sneak peek at the Broadway revival of West Side Story (directed by Ivo van Hove). A February performance will highlight the new chamber opera adaptation of Intimate Apparel from Lynn Nottage (Sweat) and Ricky Ian Gordon (Morning Star). A moderated panel ahead of the premiere of the Metropolitan Opera’s Agrippina will provide insights from the production by the creative team and cast.
A discussion with playwright David Henry Hwang (Soft Power) and the minds behind The Democracy Project at Federal Hall, including Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) and Bruce Norris (Clybourne Park).
Performances are held in the Guggenheim’s Peter B. Lewis Theater.
See the full remaining lineup below.
New York is Burning/UnderScored January 13–14 Two works honoring the dance scene in N.Y.C. are presented in this commission. A tribute to the voguing scene, New York is Burning by Omari Wiles, is performed by Les Ballet Afrik. Ephrat Asherie Dance company members perform Asherie’s UnderScored, inspired by the ever-changing landscape of the city’s underground house dance community.
The Metropolitan Opera’s Agrippina January 20 General Manager Peter Gelb moderates a discussion with director David McVicar, conductor Harry Bicket, and members from the cast, who will perform highlights from the opera by Handel set in Ancient Rome.
West Side Story January 27 Director Ivo van Hove and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker share a behind-the-scenes look at the revival of the musical from Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim. The moderated discussion is accompanied by highlights from the revamped show by cast members.
Company February 3 Two-time Tony winner Marianne Elliott (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, War Horse) talks about her Olivier Award–winning gender-bending approach to the revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company. Cast members perform selections from the show in addition to the moderated discussion.
Lincoln Center Theater: Intimate Apparel February 9 Dramaturg and Director of the Opera Commissioning Program at The Metropolitan Opera Paul Cremo moderates a discussion with librettist Lynn Nottage, composer Ricky Ian Gordon, and director Bartlett Sher with cast members offering a sneak peek at the chamber opera.
Pennsylvania Ballet: La Bayadère February 23 Pennsylvania Ballet Artistic Director and former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Angel Corella talks about the restaging of the 19th century work. Company dancers perform selections from the piece, set in India.
Joyce Theater Foundation: Swing 2020 February 24 Evita Arce, LaTasha Barnes, Nathan Bugh, Caleb Teicher, and Eyal Vilner celebrate the tradition of innovation in America’s partnered dance form, the Lindy Hop. The group discuss their creative process as dancers, accompanied by the Eyal Vilner Big Band, perform.
Les Ballet Afrik: New York is Burning March 29–30 To celebrate the 20th anniversary and to pay homage to Paris is Burning, Omari Wiles presents this work performed by Les Ballet Afrik.
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis: Awakenings April 5 Composer Tobias Picker, librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman, conductor Roberto Kalb, and Awakenings stage director James Robinson (also the artistic director of OTSL), participate in a moderated discussion with performances from original cast members alongside upcoming stars Joyce El-Khoury, Paul Groves, Jarrett Logan Porter, and David Portillo.
Federal Hall: The Democracy Project May 3 Playwrights Tanya Barfield, Lisa D’Amour, Larissa FastHorse, Melissa James Gibson, Michael R. Jackson, and Bruce Norris discuss the collaborative project with producer Lynn Goldner, script consultant Adam Greenfield, and playwright David Henry Hwang. The Democracy Project is an odyssey through the 531 days when New York City was the nation’s first capital.
American Repertory Theater: Ocean Filibuster June 8 Writer Lisa D’Amour, director Katie Pearl, and composer Sxip Shirey discuss the newest music theater experience created by the Obie Award-winning company PearlDamour. Actor Jenn Kidwell performs highlights from the show that explores environmentalism and politics.
BalletX June 14 Excerpts from the company’s forthcoming summer series features choreography by Rena Butler, Caili Quan, and Penny Saunders, and Hope Boykin. BalletX Artistic and Executive Director Christine Cox joins Boykin, Butler, Quan, and Saunders for a discussion moderated by Julliard President and Vail Dance Festival Artistic Director Damian Woetzel.