Dark comedy and iconic music are some of the hallmarks of George Furth and Stephen Sondheim's award-winning "Company," which Susquehanna Stage Company (SSC) will bring to the stage of the Marietta Center for the Arts beginning on Friday, May 10, for its first musical of the 2019 season.
The plot revolves around Bobby, a 35-year-old bachelor who finds himself unable to fully commit to a long-term relationship - despite having multiple girlfriends. Josh Schwartz, who will be making his SSC debut portraying Bobby, explained that his character instead gets to see the ins and outs of marriage through all of his married friends. "He seems to live vicariously through his friends over the course of the show," Schwartz said. "Most of the time he views marriage through a negative lens."
The original production, with book by Furth and music and lyrics by Sondheim, was nominated for numerous Tony Awards and won Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Score, Best Lyrics, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Scenic Design.
Director Jim Johnson noted that, when it opened in 1970, "Company" was groundbreaking as a musical for both its style and the way that it examined adult relationships. "It changed musical comedy in the way that it presented a nonlinear look at marriage for the first time on stage," described Johnson. Instead of following the previously standard chronological storyline, "Company" is made up of vignettes linked together by Bobby's birthday celebration. "It's an examination of marriage - what works and what doesn't," Johnson said. "It's a very thoughtful, provocative musical."
Four of the five married couples that are Bobby's friends in the SSC show also happen to be portrayed by real-life couples - a fun twist that cast members believe will add extra depth and delight for audiences. "It brings sides of marriage to life that you don't see in everyday theater," noted Kent Gable, who will portray Paul alongside his wife, Beth Gable, as Amy.
"It's incredibly relatable for anybody who is married or was married or is thinking about getting married," commented Kevin Ditzler. He and his wife, Cara Ditzler, will play Peter and Susan, respectively.
Other cast members include Jordyn McCrady as Sarah, Asher Johnson as Harry, Caleb Heckman as David, Chrissy Nickel as Jenny, Deb Good-Zeiner as Joanne, Layne Zeiner as Larry, Ali Fleming as Marta, Kara Hartman as Kathy, and Mikaela Krall as April. "Company" will be choreographed by Jill Gagliano, with music directed by Sharon Boyer.
Performances are scheduled for Friday to Sunday, May 10 to 12, and Thursday to Sunday, May 16 to 19, on the Gallery Stage at the Marietta Center for the Arts, 133 W. Market St., Marietta. All performances will begin at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of the Sunday shows, which will be at 2 p.m. Parking is available at the rear of the Marietta Center for the Arts.
Tickets for the show may be purchased in advance at http://www.susquehannastageco.com or by calling 717-426-1277. Separate ticket prices have been set for adults and for students.
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