Opening weekend for Seton Hill University’s production of “Company” begins tonight. Shows are Oct. 19 at 8 p.m., Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. in the William Granger Ryan Theatre at the SHU Performing Arts Center.
“Company” is a 1970 Broadway musical that won six Tony awards, including Best Musical in 1971. The story revolves around 35-year-old Robert, played by senior musical theater major Noah Telford. “Bobby” is the only one of his friends who is not married, and the show is presented in a series of vignettes linked by his birthday celebration.
“Preparing for this show has been a very different experience than any I’ve ever had,” Telford said. “Bobby is a completely different person than I am. Because he isn’t a heightened character, but someone who is very realistic as with all the characters in this show, it was difficult to get into the mindset of someone like him.”
Music and lyrics for the show were written by Stephen Sondheim, who has written music and lyrics for shows such as “Into the Woods” and “Sweeney Todd.”
“I am very excited for this production to go up,” Telford said. “It is one of Sondheim’s first shows, and the phenomenal music and script, coupled with the incredible acting that has been going on onstage, will surely make this a show to remember.”
After opening weekend, the cast will perform three more shows of “Company” on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“The actors have healthily poured themselves into their acting for this production in a phenomenal way,” Telford said. “They have been hard at work to bring these characters to life and have truly made them memorable and relatable in their own special ways. It has been a joy working on this production with all of them.”
Tickets can be purchased at the SHU box office or online.
Published By: Paige Parise