STERLING — “Phone rings, doors chime, in comes Company!” So begins what has been called the first great “concept” musical, Stephen Sondheim’s “Company.” Sterling College Theatre will present the highly regarded musical Feb. 10 and 11 in Upper Wilson on the campus.
“Company” does not have a conventional plot. It centers around the 35th birthday of central character Bobby. The events of the show simultaneously display years of friendship and moments of thought as this “concept” musical explores the themes of marriage, love and commitment.
Music and lyrics of “Company” are by the legendary Stephen Sondheim and the book is by playwright George Furth. The original production played on Broadway in 1970.
When five couples gather to help Bobby celebrate his birthday, they have no idea that reaching middle age has set him on a journey to determine what marriage is about. Each of his friends and his three love interests introduce him to different ideas about what marriage is, how to express love, and why commitment matters (or doesn’t).
Every time Bobby begins to think he might have his answer, contradictory ideas challenge his assumptions. In the end, he draws his own conclusions and finds an approach to marriage that builds on what he learned from his friends’ relationships but surpasses them all.
Bobby/Robert will be played by Bryson Brownlee of Sterling. Joanne will be played by Sterling College Theatre alum Jojo Dutton. Sterling College student Robert Stansbury of Lorraine will be Larry, Joanne’s husband. Sarah and Harry will be played by Cate Gutteridge of Moore, Okla., and Jacob Pieplow of Sterling.
Jenny and David will be played by Alicia DeHaan of Salina and Torey Wilson of Rural Hall, North Carolina. Rachel Thomson of Buhler and Justin Smiley of Edmond, Okla., will play Amy and Paul. Grace Major of Hillsboro and Joshua Morris of Hutchinson will play Susan and Peter.
April, Kathy, and Marta will be played by Keeley Coon of Eureka, Aubrey Anderson of Sterling, and Mary Little of Hutchinson. The show is being co-directed by senior theater major Dylan Werth from Hays along with Assistant Professor of Theatre, Sasha Hildebrand.
Sterling alum Alex Underwood, who is vocal music director at Hays High School, is both music director and accompanist for the show.
All performances of “Company” will take place in Upper Wilson on the Sterling College campus. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and are available at www.sterling.edu/arts or by calling 620-278-4364. Due to subject matter, “Company” is given a PG-13 rating and is not recommended for young children.
