It’s been over 50 years since the musical comedy “Company” opened in Broadway. Six Tony awards and countless revivals later, the Ukiah Players Theatre has brought the hilarious, smart and revelatory show to the stage, to standing-ovation crowds. The play is underwritten by DFM Auto Repair, Black Oak Coffee Roasters, Ukiah Natural Foods Co-op, Fischer Computer Systems, John Chan Plumbing, Comfort Air Heating and Cooling and KZYX 91.5 FM.
The original play, written and adapted from a book by George Furth with music by Steven Sondheim was a rule-breaker, and is largely credited for the birth of concept musicals. At the time, Sondheim wrote that the play was about “the challenge of maintaining relationships in a society becoming increasingly depersonalized.” And that it was the connection and “company” between human beings that exemplified “being alive.”
The performance, directed by Maria A. Monti allows her decades of panache and skill to shine brightly, as she plays with the show’s themes including marriage, dating, relationships- approved and clandestine, and throughout- the bonds and strange strains of friendship. Monti selected a knockout cast that demonstrate confidence as both actors and vocalists- individuals who have the ability to create a true ensemble cast. This is truly a “big” musical, and the singing and music is deftly directed by Janice Hawthorne Timm on first piano, with second piano played by Charlie Seltzer. The musical is a tour de force display of talent from every cast and crew member.
The show begins at the home of Bobby, played by Eddie Haehl, who is given a surprise birthday party by his friends- all couples. That scene sets the stage for the rest of the show- a series of social visits by Bobby to the homes of each of his friends, interspersed with several attempts at dating. What happens along the way is everything from hilarious to suprising to just plain weird. Each couple provides a mirror of marriage, and more, to Bobby, but in the end, it is his own heart that guides his path toward, or away from matrimony.
Along with Haehl, the cast consists of Danielle Martin, Lorena Saucedo, Kayla Harrison, Emmeline Swink, David Strock, Matt McClelland, Joni McLeod, Chuck Mordock, Wynona Idica, Neil DiBernardo, Emily Bishop, Grey Wolfe-Smith and Scott Spears. They are supported by the “Vocal Minority:” Jasmine Norris, Allegra Rose “Rory” Silveira, Percy Knutson, Carrie Sullivan, Luis Mario Reyes-Núñez, Nathan Joseph and Gina Henebury.
Haehl delivers a masterful performance as the confirmed bachelor. When the audience is introduced to Bobby, he seems almost smugly satisfied with his choices in life as he observes the strange and sometimes discomforting twists and turns of life that most couples will immediately recognize- enough to make Bobby quite convinced that bachelorhood is the right choice. Yet each couple also uniquely demonstrates, their own, almost inexpressible reasons why marriage works for them.
Written during a time of tremendous social and political upheaval, Monti has made some tweaks to the material to better reflect today’s social mores. But the little touches that date the show remain- like sipping a Sazerac, and smoking as social cache. The deeper issues that are suggested throughout the satire, physical comedy and romantic cliches are perhaps more relevant today than they were in Sondheim’s time, as humans are both more and less connected through and because of the lens and screens of our digital devices.
For those who have been following UPT for some time, it is a delight to see the growth of cast members like Haehl, Mordock, Wolfe-Smith and Saucedo, who have been acting with UPT for many years and continue to surprise and wow audiences. Haehl’s rendition of the show favorite, “Being Alive,” is breathtaking, and Wolfe-Smith outdoes himself as a man on the verge of marriage with pre-nuptial jitters that left the audience roaring. The cast nails nearly every New York cliché, and single theatergoers and couples alike will be nodding and laughing at the cleverly familiar cliches of married life. Though there is no doubt that the show is laugh-out-loud funny, the cast has done a masterful job of providing depth to their unique characters, and though audiences may leave the theater laughing, this inspiring show invites one to ponder the story’s unanswered questions: the nature and quality of one’s own relationships and the “company” we keep.
Company is running Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. until March 23. For ticket purchases and information visit www.ukiahplayerstheatre.org or phone (707) 462-9226.
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