The Department of Music presents the musical "Company" Nov. 1-5 in Wadsworth Auditorium.
GENESEO, N.Y. – The SUNY Geneseo Music Department’s opening musical theater production this semester is the Tony Award-winning comedy “Company” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth.
The production, often called the first concept musical, is on the Wadsworth Auditorium stage Nov. 1-5. The Wednesday through Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee begins at 2 o’clock. Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for students and are available online.
The production is directed and choreographed by Melanie Blood, professor of English and music, and musically directed by Don Kot, coordinator of musical theatre at Geneseo. Blood also is scenic designer for the show.
“Company” is among the first musicals to deal with adult themes and relationships, and revolves around Robert (Bobby), a single man unable to commit fully to a steady relationship and certainly not marriage. At his 30th birthday party, he finds himself surrounded by married friends who press him to find a spouse. The musical follows his search for what it means to have a life partner.
The Geneseo production takes place in a “white box” on the Wadsworth stage and is composed of short vignettes. The setting allows for the sharing of Robert’s intimate thoughts and feelings about relationships by entering his memory and imagination during his birthday party.
The production features Brett Hammes as Bobby, Katelyn Brooks as Susan, Matt Burley as Paul, Erin Burris as April, Maria Cento as Amy, Kimberly Cole as Sarah, Maria Floriano as Joanne, Zach Koenig as David, Eric Leary as Larry, Erica Milliman as Kathy, Jessica Murphy as Jenny, Brian Sousis as Harry, Tristan Strasser as Peter and Sophie Yeomans as Marta.
Stage manager for the production is Catie Henzel with assistance from Sarah Lambert and Zachary Berube. The lighting designer is Brodie McPherson; costume designer is Kayleigh Barclay; sound designer is Dave LaDue; and the props designer is Zachary Berube. Also on the crew are Miranda Calarco, Annie Levine, Patrick Jones, Sydney Lyons, Destiny Parsons, Kathryn Berton, Caroline Martino, Cierra Mt. Pleasant, Kelsey Roberts, Brianna Riggio and Carl Treiber.