Larry Kert in Company: Broadway's Historic Replacement Nominee
Kert took over the central role of Robert (“Bobby”) soon after the 1970 opening and was nominated for the 1971 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
From Standby to Leading Man
Dean Jones originated Bobby when Company opened at the Alvin Theatre in April 1970. Kert, who had been associated with the production as a standby, replaced him shortly after opening and made the part his own across a long Broadway run.
A Tony Rule-Breaking Nomination
The Tony Awards' own historical facts page states that Larry Kert is the only cast replacement ever nominated for a competitive Tony category. The 1971 nominee list records him for Best Actor in a Musical alongside Hal Linden, David Burns and Bobby Van.
London and the Recording
Kert continued as Bobby in the London production at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1972. Because the original Broadway cast album had already been recorded with Dean Jones, Kert later recorded replacement vocal tracks for a London issue. His “Being Alive” was subsequently included on later releases.
1989 Tony Awards
Nearly two decades later, Kert returned to “Being Alive” during the 43rd Tony Awards' “Eleven O'Clock Number” salute, hosted by Angela Lansbury.