Throughout the week of Sept. 14-18, Theatre and Performance Studies students put on five performances of the musical “Company,” depicting familiar characters in 1980s-inspired attire.
Lead Connor Maguire gave a captivating and convincing performance of the main character, Bobby. Maguire’s charismatic and boyish depiction of the character gave rise to many big laughs from audiences.
The musical follows mid-30s Bobby dating in 1980s New York and constantly being berated by his married friends about settling down, but not with a suitor they collectively disapprove of. It exposes the delights and anguishes of marriage at all stages.
Bold character choices and comedic timing carried the show through its non-linear plot. In the song “Side by Side,” Maguire danced as though their character was mocking his married friends’ choreographed lives.
Mya Burns and Mitchell Witcher who played divorcing couple Susan and Peter remained in loving embraces even after ecstatically breaking the news of their upcoming split to their close friend. One of Bobby’s love interests Marta, played by Cecillia Delanuez, performed a rapid, wordy song with as much conviction as her character has love for New York.
Bobby’s married friends range from a couple of newlyweds portrayed on their wedding day with cold feet (Amy and Paul played by Cierra Gann and Chris Nastasi) to a couple divorcing civilly and remaining roommates (Susan and Peter played by Mya Burns and Mitchell Witcher). Another character has been divorced and remarried several times over (Joanne played by Kayla Green).
The show included a bout of interpretive dance as well as an operatic section in the musical number “Getting Married Today” performed by Mercy Mondt as Jenny.
Maguire dedicated their personal performance to the late Stephen Sondheim who wrote the music and lyrics for “Company” and passed away last November at the age of 91, as reported by npr.
The performances took place in KSU’s own Stillwell Theater on the Kennesaw campus. The soundtrack was performed by a live orchestra positioned in the middle of the stage on a riser that doubled as the musical’s only set piece.
Director Timothy Ellis, in his Director’s Note, writes that the show is set in the ’80s due to the time period’s “rise of individualism and focusing on a life journey before the journey to marriage presents its case a little louder.”
Costume Designer Brisa Mendez fashioned actors in fur vests, bell-bottomed pants and one brightly colored tracksuit to set the scene for the intended time period since the themes of the show still reign true today.
“Company” debuted on Broadway in 1970 and returned this year for its third Broadway revival which wrapped on July 31, according to the musical’s official website.
Opening night at KSU on Sept. 14 wielded the biggest turnout of the week with 301 seats filled out of the 314 that the Howard Logan Stillwell Theater seats.
The Department of Theatre and Performance Studies puts on multiple theatrical performances each academic year. For more information about upcoming productions and to buy tickets visit their website.
