THE ARTS ETC
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Playhouse on Park
presents
the modern musical
COMPANY
based on the book by George Furth
music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
DECEMBER 2 - 18, 2011
Reviewed by Debra Tinkham
“Company” had a cast of fourteen, and for nine of them, it was their Playhouse on Park debut. As Director Leslie Unger so appropriately said, “'Company' is a show that incorporates an amazing book set to the intricate music (and lyrics) of Stephen Sondheim. It stimulates the actors’ thoughts, enabling them to engage the audience and take them on a journey through life, love, and marriage while uncovering the emotions and hidden fears that go along with them.”
The ravaging weather that Connecticut recently experienced put the entire cast and crew further and further behind their timeline. Unger goes on to say, “The situation caused us all to look at things differently…as does our main character, Bobby. He faces his own thoughts about his life and the choices he’s made. Whether you’re a brassy Joanne (Amanda Bruton), sensitive Kathy (Alexandra Cutler), or even the neurotic and funny Amy (Jennifer Lauren Brown), we all pick and choose the people that make us happy. We run around with all the crazy things that fill our days but in the end…what do you get? Sometimes a negative can turn into a positive, and in this case, I most definitely think it did. Sondheim has been quoted as saying, ‘I write the unexpected.’ Life has taught me to expect the unexpected, but treasure all the twists and turns along the way!”
The song list of this two-act musical was witty and thought- provoking with such selections as “Sorry – Grateful,” “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “Another Hundred People,” “Marry Me a Little,” “Barcelona,” and “The Ladies Who Lunch,” to name a few. The diction was impeccable and each role was acted to perfection. Although the props were extremely simple and the wardrobes came across as slightly provocative and inappropriate – still unknown whether that was intentional or not – the vocals and lyrics were top notch. Each voice was unique and crisp and desirable, as were the personalities.
The band, cleverly set up across the back of the stage, with a shaded fabric and small window panes, was impressive. Pianist/Conductor was Evan Roider and Colin Britt, depending on the performance dates (November 30th – December 18th). Lighting was effective when characters were placed in the dark and the band had soft lighting into an introduction or an effective segue. There were five woodwind players -- Alexa Tarantino, Peter Scuderi, Mike Piraneo, Andrew Studenski and Mallory Kokus -- trumpeters Tucker Barney and Anthony Sisson, trombonist David Julian, Violinist Rachael Virgin (who had some lovely solos), bassist Chris Langhans and percussionists Chris Jasinski and James Waterman.
Bobby’s friends (four couples) give him a birthday cake –the prop all done with lighting – for his 35th birthday. They singularly sing the accolades of being married. Sometimes they’re happy; sometimes not. The subplot of Bobbie’s three very different "girls of interest" weaves in and out of the marriage musical. At one point, Bobbie has a seductive scene with Amy, the neurotic and funny character and a body that won’t quit. He thinks it would be nice to have a modest dose of Amy, a less brassy version of Joanne and a more frivolous version of Kathy all wrapped into one and then he might consider marriage. (Well, maybe!)
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MORE ABOUT
"COMPANY"
After the overwhelming success of last season's "Chicago", Playhouse on Park proudly presented their production of the modern-day musical, "Company" for 15 performances
beginning with a preview on November 30th and continuing through December 18, 2011.
From the award winning composer of "Into the Woods", "Sweeney Todd", and "A Little Night Music", "Company" is the story of Robert, an urban, anti-hero, who after a series of failed romances, is forced to face his confirmed bachelorhood and weigh the pros and cons of settling down, while surrounded by a circle of close married friends.
Set to the pulsating beats and clattering sounds of New York, the San Francisco Examiner raves that, "there's never been a more frank and more sophisticated work written for musical stage..."than "Company".
Directed by Leslie Unger with Musical Direction by Colin Britt, "Company" is a Stephen Sondheim musical based on the George Furth novel starring Ryan Speakman as bachelor, Bobby (Broadway's Camelot, Off-Broadway's Bittersweet, Pinkalicious: The Musical, and With Glee) and featuring Erik Agle (Brigham Young University's Thoroughly Modern Millie and Children of Eden) and Kevin Barlowski (Playhouse on Park's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, international tours of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare - Abridged, Urinetown, and A Midsummer Night's Dream). Ben Beckley (Berkshire Theatre Festival's The Illusion, The Actor's Company's The Cocktail Party), Jennifer Lauren Brown (NYC Fringe Festival's Sister Mary Francis, Ivoryton Playhouse's Julie), Amanda Burton (Red House Arts Center's Nurse and Heron) Brian Detlefs (Bat Boy the Musical, Romeo and Juliet, and Violet the Musical), Victoria Thornsbury (Playhouse's That Holiday Feeling, Something Cool This Way Comes; Disney Cruise Lines' Disney Dreams, Twice Charmed, etc.) and Hillary Ekwall (Playhouse on Park's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Curious George Live!, national tour) round out the cast along with several students from The Hartt School of the University of Hartford: Scott Caron, Alexandra Cutler, Keisha Giles, Lea Nardi and Meredith Swanson.
Keeping in step with musicality of the evening, a BYOB, open mic and sing-along led by music director, Britt, followed both the Saturday, December 10th and Saturday, December 17th performances. This bonus FREE event began 10-15 minutes after the 8pm performance and was open to the public. (Tipping the pianist was recommended.)
The play opened officially on Friday December 2nd, 2011 at West Hartford's award winning professional theatre, Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road.