By Alisha Hagey and Jason Hagey
Deep in the lower levels of the Pioneer Memorial Theatre building, the University of Utah Department of Theatre stages Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company. Updating from the 1970’s exploration of marriage to the modern contemplation of monogamy, Director Ryan Emmons’ vision of Company provides a contemporary telling that continues to ask the question, “What is marriage?” Company explores the breadth of relationships through the lens of the character Robert/Bobby. He is single and surrounded by friends who are coupled. We view New York City through his eyes. We witness joy and sorrow and struggle and commitment through his experiences.
As Mark Fossen (Dramaturg) references in his dramaturgical notes, Company is written with the Silent Generation in mind (“This was the generation too young to fight in World War II and too old for Woodstock”). The play may be originally set in 1970 but the world of the Millennial generation becomes the focus of this production. Fossen points out that Millennials are now reaching their mid-to-late thirties and Bobby is turning 35 at the beginning of the play.
Emmons creates a fluid world where Company’s vignettes connect interchangeably with multiple scenes happening in the Babcock Theatre. Emmons provides an intimate evening with characters you come to care about and yet he is tackling weighty matters of monogamy, fidelity, and companionship. Like Bobby, he forces the audience to ask, “What do you get?” from being married. The play is a difficult one with its myriad of characters and settings, but Emmons’ direction is deft and fun.
Because Bobby is a nuanced character whose story illustrates the multiplicity of perspectives on relationships, the part takes a particularly strong actor who understands the depth and the experience of Robert. Derek DuBay (Robert) plunges into the deep end, representing the existential angst of the character while coupling it with the surface-level happy-go-lucky veneer his friends have come to expect from him. As the play progresses, DuBay breaks down further and further until an older friend finally coerces from him the emotional response he has been desperately searching for throughout his journey. When DuBay sings the climactic, “Being Alive,” he searches his soul and he pulls us into his world more so than any other moment. The song is powerful up until he ends with an exultant, “Yeah,” which forces the audience out of the poignant juncture.
The standout of the evening is Caitlin Rae Campbell (Amy). Her version of “Getting Married Today” is a riot. Campbell brings a fresh take to this franticly paced and incredibly challenging song. You understand each word and each transitional acting beat. Campbell deserves the audience’s laughter and applause at the end because she really gives her all to finding originality to a song previously performed by legends of comedy (such as Madeline Kahn and Carol Burnett). Sondheim calls it a ‘patter song’, saying it reflects the idea of having a mental breakdown. Campbell nails it. She maintains the integrity of the music while connecting to the audience in the midst of the absurdity.
Musically, the couples connect well. Their scenes are seamless and their harmonies joyful. Mary Nikols (Sarah) and Mason Duncan (Harry) give us playful couple banter while showing their slightly neurotic tendencies toward their vices. Barbara Camara (Susan) and Jace Von App (Peter) are lovable and affable. The timing of the line, “You’re the first to know” is perfect. Sheradin Jansen (Jenny) and Skyler Smith (David) are perhaps the most honest of the couples, and so relatable. Caitlin Rae Campbell (Amy) and Patrick Ryan Castle (Paul) are delightful. They play well off each other, giving a sense that they really understand one another and embrace the other’s foibles.
Hayley Cassity (Joanne) and Cameron Holzman (Larry) are larger than life characters. Cassity is caustic and Holzman is easygoing. They are challenging roles for college students to wrestle with, being so far removed both in age and experience. Micki Martinez (Marta), Talia Heiss (Kathy), and Maddy Timm (April) all do well adding variety to the roles of Bobby’s erstwhile girlfriends. Timm, especially, adds a charm to the dimwitted April.
Kyle Becker (Set Design) creates a versatile stage that leaves itself open and exposed (like the journey of the characters), while giving a sense of the modern. Chloe Mason (Costume Design) makes a smart choice of placing each of the couples in coordinating colors. This allows audience members to keep track of who’s who in what could be hard to follow if you aren’t already familiar with the text. It is a bit strange that two couples share a similar color (yellow), but the lines and patterns of each couple are unique enough to add distinction. Rachael Harned (Lighting Design) works well supporting the variety of textures on stage.
“While the original Bobby may have been the odd man out among his generation,” writes Fossen, “our Bobby is reflective of a trend.” This alone makes the production of Company a necessary part of our societal discourse on marriage. Company is ambitious for a college to attempt. The University of Utah Department of Theatre does an incredible job of creating relevance and connecting with the audience. Bringing Company into the modern day allows Bobby to ask, “What do you get?” Fossen says, “In 2019, he may be asking for his whole generation.” Bobby does, and he allows each of us to draw our own conclusions.
The University of Utah Department of Theatre Presents Company by Stephen Sondheim
Babcock Theatre, 300 South University Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, Located on the lower level of the Pioneer Memorial Theatre
February 15 – March 3, 2019 7:30 PM
Additional performances: February 17, 23, and March 3 at 2:00 PM
Tickets: $18; U of U Faculty/Staff – $15, $15 Seniors (60+), $8.50 for non-University of Utah students, Arts Pass event: Free for University of Utah students with UCard, must show Ucard in person to request a ticket
Contact: Kingsbury Hall Box Office 801-581-7100
University of Utah Department of Theatre Facebook Page
University of Utah Department of Theatre
*Free parking available at the Rice Eccles Stadium
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