Discover ‘Company’: A Modern Twist on a Broadway Classic at Bass Performance Hall

By Allyson Nichols
Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade and courtesy of Bass Performance Hall

This October, the National Tour of Company opens the 2024-2025 Broadway at the Bass Season, presented by PNC Bank. Running from Oct.1-6 at Bass Performance Hall, this reimagined production of Stephen Sondheim’s iconic musical offers a fresh take on a story that resonates across generations.

This production of Company isn’t just another revival—it’s a contemporary exploration of life’s pressures and expectations. The musical comedy centers on Bobbie, a single woman in New York City, as she navigates her 35th birthday surrounded by friends who are all in various stages of settling down.

Originally written in the 1970s with a male lead, the updated version of the musical genderswaps Bobbie, offering a new perspective that feels particularly relevant today.

For those familiar with Sondheim’s work, Company stands out for its music and its nuanced look at love, friendship, and self-discovery. Songs like “Getting Married Today” remain iconic, but in this production, they’re reinterpreted in ways that resonate with a modern audience.

Content & Communications Manager for Performing Arts Fort Worth, Inc. Erica Ludwig experienced the show in 2022 and found it strikingly relatable.

“This production really connected with me,” Ludwig said. “While it clearly has Sondheim’s personal touch in the way the music and lyrics are written, what struck a chord with me was how he communicated that feeling of ‘should’—what we’re supposed to be doing at certain points in our lives, but maybe aren’t for one reason or another. That’s something anyone can relate to.”

Assistant Director of Marketing for Performing Arts Fort Worth, Inc. Jackson Pollock also highlighted the show’s unique structure.

“It’s not your typical linear story. The narrative moves through a series of vignettes, each scene offering a different aspect of Bobbie’s life. It’s an approach that feels very much in tune with how we experience relationships today—messy, non-linear, and complex.”

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Sondheim or new to his work, this musical offers something meaningful. It’s a show that encourages reflection on where we are in our lives, who we’re walking through life with “Side by Side by Side” and where we hope to go.

As the opening production of the 2024-2025 Broadway season at Bass, Company sets the stage for a diverse lineup of shows that follow. Be sure to catch it while it’s here, and explore what this season has in store.