[stage left]

Two’s Company?
Another hit for Opera House

By: MJ Pendleton

“Company” is an intriguing musical comedy, even if “complex polyphony” and “angular harmonies” are not vernacular terms. A musical neophyte can easily recognize that the score is complicated and exciting. The simple entertainment appeal is fantastic, but a musical comedy that offers a thematic dilemma is unusual: Is it better to be married or single?

Statistically, most people give married to chance. Ninety-five percent of American males and females have been married at least once by the time they are 55, so that rumor the a single woman over 35 is more likely to be killed by terrorists is simply not true. “Company” is ambiguous, perhaps, because the libretto was written by George Furth and the lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is possible, consequently, to interpret this musical to justify any personal relationship choice or to simply enjoy the experience without any thought at all.

Cindy Colucci plays Joe, the most cynical character in the story. Her attitude is immediately apparent in her wonderful voice singing “The Little Things You Do Together” with her husband Larry (Richard Bunting) and three of the other couples. While the others are singing sweetly and sincerely, there is a subtle edge in Colucci’s voice. The slightly sarcastic tinge to the lyrics suggests ambiguity. The following song “Sorry-Grateful” is the husbands’ response to bachelor Bobby’s question, “Are you sorry you got married?” In Act II, while his friends worry about his loneliness and sing “Poor Baby,” Bobby is happily bopping one of his three girlfriends on the sofa.

The final song is “Being Alive”: “Someone to hold you too close/Someone to hurt you too deep/Someone to sit in your chair/To ruin your sleep/To make you aware/Of being alive/Being alive.” The original closing song, “Happily Ever After,” was cut because director Hal Prince thought it was too bitter: “Someone to need you too much/Someone to read you too well/Someone to bleed you of all/the things you don’t want to tell/That’s happily ever after/Ever, ever, ever after in Hell/Someone to hold you too close/Someone to hurt you too deep/Someone to bore you to death/Happily ever after.” The curtain falls on the solitary figure of Bobby—looking absolutely content to be alone.

This Opera House Theater Company production is composed of an all-star cast. Every single voice of every single cast member is fantastic. Though the score is obviously complicated, they perform with professional ease. Director/choreographer Ray Kennedy’s magic is apparent throughout the show. Jeff Phillips (Bobby) is onstage almost entirely, and his energy, enthusiasm and beautiful baritone/tenor voice remain consistent.

Denise Bass (Sarah) has a lovely singing voice as well as perfect comic timing. Kendra Goehring (Jenny) is beautiful, sings like an angel and is adorably giggly. Zack Turner (Paul) is so relaxed onstage, he makes singing, dancing and acting all at the same time seem completely natural. Rachel Moser (Amy) with wedding-day jitters and a fast-paced patter song is funny, funny, funny.

Heather Seltzer (Marta) sings “Another Hundred People,” which is the most emotionally poignant song in the score. Ironically, her character—who is supposed to be the hip, New York chick—reveals her vulnerability, and Seltzer conveys the universal loneliness of the lyrics fabulously. The song, which is sandwiched between the silliness, seems to suggest that personal connections, marital or otherwise, are preferable to anonymity in a depersonalized society.

Hopes and dreams and birthday wishes keep us young, but remember also that satisfaction is perfectly OK, and wanting something else is not a criterion for living this life. Oh, and go see this musical—it is so much fun!

“Company” shows at Thalian Hall Main Stage July 11th-13th and 18th-20th, Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. For tickets call 343-3664.