“Company” is coming to the Corbet Theater stage this weekend as Centralia College Theater opens its spring musical.
A musical comedy by Stephen Sondheim, “Company” is a series of vignettes centered around Bobby (Austin Barnett), a bachelor comparing his life to those of his married friends on his 35th birthday.
“Set in New York City in 1970, the musical examines the humor, beauty, and challenges of modern life,” Centralia College Theater stated in the show’s description.
“I think that this play is timeless in that it’s about marriage,” said Centralia College theater teacher and “Company” director Emmy Kreilkamp. “It’s about those central questions that most adults have to face: Do I get married? Who do I get married to? You know, why? Or is it better to be single? … That’s central to the play.”
At 32 years old, Barnett said he and Bobby are “sort of at a similar point in life, but whereas I feel pretty settled, my character is, like, trying to figure (himself) out.”
Barnett described the role of Bobby as “a dream role for a lot of musical theater gays out there,” adding that the difficult Sondheim score has been a fun challenge to learn.
“Overall, my experience has been wonderful. I really love the people I’m working with,” Barnett said.
Derek Wilson, who plays Larry, said the score Sondheim created for “Company” is the most technically difficult music he’s learned for a show.
“When I first saw the music, I was blown away — I said ‘How are we ever going to learn this song? … How are we ever going to learn all of this and not mess up?’ But we did,” Wilson said.
The play showcases five different couple’s relationships and how marriage affects each couple differently.
“Some of them seem to get along pretty well, others are clearly at each other's throats, and then some are, like, headed for divorce,” Kreilkamp said.
Like most Centralia College Theater productions, “Company” features a mixed cast and crew of community members and current Centralia College students.
For one student actor, Madison Cox, who plays Jenny, “Company” marks a return to the stage after a seven-year hiatus.
“I’m really excited to have this character, because I feel like it’s perfect for me, kind of starting up again,” Cox said.
Cox is working on her associate’s degree in business management and decided to get back on stage after attending an open mic night at the college and talking to Kreilkamp about the upcoming spring musical.
“I like that I feel kind of like I’m doing something for the community. It feels really good doing that,” Cox said, adding that she encourages anyone who’s struggling with their self confidence to try out a performance art.
“It really helps with your self esteem,” she said.
“Company” opens Friday, May 16, and runs through Sunday, May 25, at Corbet Theater on Centralia College’s main campus.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday during the run.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased online, or half-price rush tickets will be available at the door.
For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.centralia.edu/theatre.
Cast
Robert: Austin Barnett
Sarah: Nicole Galyean
Harry: Robert Kam
Susan: Janelle Lunzmann
Peter: Xane Burns
Jenny: Madison Cox
David: Lily Kealoha
Amy: Erika Skorstad
Paul: Marco Diez
Joanne: Lucy Page
Larry: Derek Wilson
Marta: Johanna Chhay
Kathy: Sarah Amador
April: Anna Holbrook
Pit orchestra
Conductor/Musical Director: Hyewon Kim
Keyboard 1: Alex Jones
Keyboard 2/Violin: Sabrina Wilbur
Bass: Micah Curtis
Percussion: Travis Larson
Trumpet: Jerry Huff
Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute, Alto Sax: Lauri Lindberg
Trombone: Max Minjares
Violin/Cello/Assistant Music Director: Steven Moncado
