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IN COMES COMPANY AT CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK MARCH 14 – APRIL 14 (CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park continues its Marx Theatre season with one of the most exciting productions in the theatre’s 46 year history, a new take on Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Tony Award-winning musical Company. Directed by John Doyle, fresh on the heels of his triumphant Broadway opening of Sweeney Todd, Company will employ that show’s technique of using actors as the orchestra of musicians when it begins public previews at the Playhouse on March 14 and continues through April 14. Company is a revolutionary, unconventional look at love and commitment in a complex modern world. The show is a remarkably honest, clever and sophisticated portrayal of five married couples as seen through the eyes of their mutual friend Robert, a bachelor. The story takes place on the occasion of Robert’s birthday, and he’s about to walk in on a surprise party thrown by his closest friends. Through a series of vignettes, the audience meets them as Robert weighs the pros and cons of wedded life, comparing the good and bad aspects of their marriages with three of his own less than perfect partnerships. Company is a comic and touching tale that explores not only fear and longing but also the simple joys of being alive.The original Broadway production of Company opened at New York’s Alvin Theatre in 1970. The show was honored with the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical as well as six Tony Awards, including those for music and lyrics (Stephen Sondheim’s first), book, scenic design, director and best musical. The partnership between the Playhouse and John Doyle began in January 2005, when the theatre’s Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern traveled to London to see Sweeney Todd. At the time, while many producers were courting the director to bring that revival to New York, Mr. Stern instead asked Mr. Doyle about another opportunity. According to Mr. Stern, “The fortunate thing for me was that no one was really talking to John about what he wanted to do next. And so I asked him, and he said Company. And that was precisely the show I was hoping we would be able to do, because I thought that its urban landscape and more contemporary setting would lend itself easily to the actors playing the music.” The show’s multi-talented cast features, in alphabetical order, Keith Buterbaugh as Harry, Matt Castle as Peter, Robert Cunningham as Paul, Angel Desai as Marta, Raúl Esparza as Robert, Kelly Jeanne Grant as Kathy, Kristin Huffman as Sarah, Amy Justman as Susan, Heather Laws as Amy, Leenya Rideout as Jenny, Fred Rose as David, Bruce Sabath as Larry, Elizabeth Stanley as April and Barbara Walsh as Joanne. Director John Doyle made his Broadway debut in the fall with a critically acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. Mr. Doyle has been the artistic director of four prestigious regional theatres in the United Kingdom. He has directed more than 200 professional productions. For the last 10 years, Mr. Doyle has been an associate director of Watermill Theatre, where he pioneered musical theatre through actor-musicianship. Notable productions include The Gondoliers (which transferred to London’s West End), Fiddler on the Roof and Irma La Douce. His work has won three Regional Theatre Awards for Best Production of a Musical, as well as four further nominations in the same category (most recently for his acclaimed revival of Mack & Mable.) Mr. Doyle’s London production of Sweeney Todd was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Award and won the Whatsonstage Award for Best Musical Revival. Respected New York music director Mary-Mitchell Campbell will serve as Company’s music supervisor and orchestrator. The set designer is Tony Award nominee and eight-time Drama Desk Award nominee David Gallo — designer of the Playhouse productions Dark Paradise, Thunder Knocking on the Door, Sweeney Todd and In Walks Ed — whose Broadway credits include Gem of the Ocean, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Dance of the Vampires, Thoroughly Modern Millie, King Hedley II and Titantic, among others. Ann Hould-Ward, who previously worked on Dark Paradise at the Playhouse, is the show’s costume designer. A Tony Award winner for Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast, her other Broadway credits include Dance of the Vampires, Little Me, Falsettos, Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George. Lighting design is provided by Thomas C. Hase, a Playhouse veteran whose credits for the theatre include The Retreat from Moscow, Twelfth Night, One, The Smell of the Kill, King Lear, A Little Night Music and Gross Indecency, among others. Sound design is by Playhouse newcomer Andrew Keister, associate sound designer for Broadway’s Jersey Boys. The first stage manager is Suann Pollock and the second stage manager is Erica Briggs. Prices for Company range from $39.50-$52.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $36.50 for the preview performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15. The official opening night is Thursday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday matinee performances of Company take place at 4 p.m. Please note the earlier time. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. On March 26 at 6 p.m., the Playhouse will welcome Company librettist George Furth for a free public lecture about the creation and legacy of the show as part of its Playhouse Perspectives Series. Mr. Furth earned the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Best Book of a Musical for Company. He additionally wrote the book to Stephen Sondheim’s musical Merrily We Roll Along and the plays Getting Away with Murder and Precious Sons. As an actor, Mr. Furth has appeared in many popular films, including Oh, God, The Man with Two Brains, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid and Blazing Saddles, as well as numerous television shows and other films. Playhouse Perspectives is now in its ninth season of bringing the nation’s finest theatre artists and scholars to the Playhouse to provide context and discussion that enhances the theatergoing experience. Playhouse Perspectives takes place on the second Sunday in each Marx Theatre production’s schedule. No reservation is required, and audience members do not need a ticket to Company to attend the lecture. Playhouse Perspectives is made possible thanks to a generous gift from Roderick and Barbara Barr. Tickets to Company are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also are available online at www.cincyplay.com. The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is in its 46th season as one of the nation’s leading professional regional theatres. The Playhouse was honored with the 2004 Regional Theatre Tony Award ®. One of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry, it honors a nonprofit professional regional theatre company that has displayed a continuous level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theatre nationally. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. |
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Meet the Artists 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19 Audio Described Performance Signed Performance Playhouse Perspectives Dining Options Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Sponsors Production Sponsors: Design Sponsor: Fine Arts Fund Partner: The 2005-2006 Marx Theatre Series is presented by The Marx Season Design Sponsor is the ### |
