It's Thursday and time again for Midday's peripatetic theater critic, J. Wynn Rousuck, to join us with another of her weekly reviews of regional stage productions.
Today, she describes the Stillpointe Theatre revival of Company, the 1970 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The original Broadway production was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards and it won six, including the 1971 Tonys for Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score and Best Lyrics.
The play's essential storyline involves Bobby (played by Jason Hentrich), a single man who's been unable to commit to a steady relationship, much less to marriage; the five married couples who are his best friends; and his three girlfriends. One of the first "concept" musicals on Broadway to deal with complex relationship issues, Company's "story" unfolds in a very un-linear, un-chronological style, as Bobby wrestles with the pros and cons of bachelorhood and marriage through a series of song-filled vignettes -- all linked by a celebration of Bobby's 35th birthday.
This new revival of Company - directed by Deirdre McAllister - continues at Stillpointe Theatre until Sat., February 2. For performance and ticket information, click here.