Musical theatre students present Sondheim’s ‘Company’

04/05/2022 

SUNY Cortland’s Performing Arts Department will present Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy “Company” this weekend, offering a contemporary take on the relationships explored in the groundbreaking 1970 Broadway production.

The high-energy, laugh-filled show opened last weekend. It will run Thursday, April 7, to Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 10, at 2 p.m. in the Dowd Fine Arts Center Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online.  

“SUNY Cortland’s ‘Company’ is an exploration of relationships and marriage through a contemporary lens,” said Performing Arts Professor Kevin Halpin, director and choreographer of the production. “Full of humor, insight, song and dance, this talented cast takes you on a roller-coaster of emotions through the world of love and relationships. This is a show you will love from top to bottom.”

“Company” was the first Broadway musical to not have a linear plot. Instead, a series of songs and vignettes focus on relationships, specifically marriage, as seen through the eyes of a single 35-year-old. The original Broadway production was nominated for a record-breaking 14 Tony Awards and won four, including Best Musical. The production focused on “Bobby,” a man navigating the world of relationships in 1970s New York City. 

The Cortland production is set in a contemporary time frame and, like the current Broadway revival, has a female “Bobbie” lead. It broadens the idea of marriage and relationships with a more inclusive 2022 lens. However, the score still includes classic Sondheim songs, including The Little Things You Do Together, The Ladies Who Lunch, Getting Married Today and Being Alive. 

The Cortland cast features students from the musical theatre program, including first-year through fourth-year students:  

• Bobbie                  Annie Ross
• Sarah                   Mallory Green  
• Harry                   Ruben Fernandez
• Joanne                 Nellie Coutrupe
• Larry                    Andrew Barrett
• Susan                   Lauren Cochran
• Patricia                 Sarah Von Egypt
• Johnny                 Nick Webster
• David                   Louis Bianco
• Amy                     Ella Perez 
• Paul                     Kyle Rivera
• Marta                   Shea McMahon
• Theo                    Harry Sperduto
• April                     Aileen Reddy 

In addition, three students were swings (understudies for multiple ensemble parts):

• Kara Vito
• Olivia Goodman
• Jessie Karlin

Jacob Carll is the production’s musical director/conductor, Scott Holdredge is scenic designer, Joel Pape is lighting/sound designer, Simone Scalici is technical director, Nicholas Alteri is stage manager and Mark Reynolds is costume designer.  

The musical contains portrayals of physical romantic intimacy, so parents may want to consider that before bringing younger family members.

For more information, call the box office at 607-753-2813 or email Box Office Manager Carlita Withers.