Tony award-winning musical, Company, is coming to the Pennsylvania Playhouse in April. This musical, which unapologetically evokes a bachelors unadorned life, opened at Broadways Alvin Theater on April 26, 1970 and went on to win eight Drama Desk Awards and six Tony Awards including Best Musical.
If you are accustomed to the "feel good" musicals of the 40s and 50s, you will be introduced to a whole new musical theater experience with this production. Company, book by George Furth with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is a series of unconnected vignettes which lay bare the life of its protagonist, Bobby, single, 35 years-old and living alone in New York City.
Director, Will Windsor Erwin, offers that, "In traditional plays and musicals there is a start, middle and end, but in Company there is just life. Weve been treating the musical as a memory play much like The Glass Menagerie, because Bobby shows the audience the moments of his life."
The only consistent thread in the musical is Bobbys birthday celebration, which is the plays dubious framework. Ironically, Bobbys best friends, five married couples, and his three girlfriends are the birthday celebrants.
Director Windsor notes that the characters share worries over Bobbys unmarried state. "Bobbys friends are worried that he hasnt found anyone yet, the girls he dates worry that he might be gay." Even Bobby worries "that he might have let the right girl get away."
Sondheims rich, intricate music will challenge any cast as it colors the journey back and forth through time in Bobbys reminiscing as he struggles to find meaning in landscape of his life. Music director, Lucille Kincaid, will guide the cast through this task.
Assistant director and costume designer, Peter Sikalias, scenic and properties designer, C.J. Matz, lighting designer, Nick Gackenbach, and stage manager, Will West, complete the production team.
Performances are Thursday April 25, Friday and Saturday, April 12, 13, 19, 20, 25 & 26 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, April 21 & 28 at 3:00 pm at the playhouse. Tickets are $22.00 and $19.00 for students and seniors except Saturday night. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 610-865-6665 or on-line at www.paplayhouse.org.