George Furth

George Furth (1932-2008), born George Schweinfurth, was an actor, playwright, and lyricist born in Chicago.

Furth wrote the book for Merrily We Roll Along (Sondheim/Furth).

A frequent collaborator with Stephen Sondheim, Furth started his writing career with a series of one acts that would later become Company (1970) and Twigs (1971). Having met Sondheim in 1963 on the set of Hot Spot, a failed musical revue, Furth asked him for help to get the rejected plays produced. Sondheim then brought the plays to Hal Prince, who said they should be adapted into a musical. What was unadapted from Company was turned into Twigs the next year.

Company became his most major work while many of his other plays are notable flops, such as his collaboration with John Kander and Fred Ebb, The Act, and of course, Merrily We Roll Along. Furth avoided interviews and rarely spoke about his work publically. However, much of his records were donated to the New York Public Library from the early 2000s up to his death at age 75 in 2008.

Furth's work was often interpersonally linked, full of references to his friends and life.

Furth acted throughout most his life, primarily in smaller roles in television in film.

George Furth's long time partner was playwright Demmy Tambakos, who passed away in 1996.

Notable works

Company (1970) (Lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim)

Twigs (1971)

The Act (1977) (Music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb)

The Supporting Cast (1981)

Precious Sons (1985)

Getting Away With Murder (1996) (co-written with Stephen Sondheim)

The End (2004) (Music by Doug Katsaros)