Avon Players Presents Stephen Sondheim’s Company

All-Time Classic Songs Explore the Promise and Pitfalls of Love and Marriage

Avon Players closes its 2018-2019 season with the groundbreaking musical examination of modern love from master composer Stephen Sondheim, Company running May 17-June 1.

Bobby (Matt Cason) has a full social calendar but avoids romantic commitments. On the night of his thirty-fifth birthday, he reassesses his life by reviewing his relationships with his married friends and girlfriends. Bobby’s friends include Harry (Clayton Hargrave) and Sarah (Johannah Steinbrecher-Booker), whose passive-aggressive sniping gives way to an all-out karate-inspired brawl. Peter (Eric Rodman) and Susan (Kirsten Renas) seem to have the ideal marriage yet are giddy about their decision to divorce … and stay together. Self-proclaimed “square” Jenny (Odera Office) and her controlling husband David (Patrick Daniels) spend a substance-fueled evening interrogating Bobby about his persistent bachelorhood. Neurotic bride Amy (Jenna Russell) has very different ideas than her devoted fiancé Paul (Nicholas Frederick) about how their big day will go as expressed in the hilarious patter song “Getting Married Today.” In addition, thrice-married Joanne (Joy Oetjens) delivers her scathing critique of certain women of means to Bobby and her current husband, the doting and wealthy Larry (James Maurer), in the indelible “The Ladies Who Lunch.” While Bobby’s married friends view his single status with alternating envy and pity, his girlfriends—ditzy flight attendant April (Sarah Milano), blunt bohemian Marta (Veronica Dean), and stability seeker Kathy (Cheyenne Johnson)—suffer firsthand the exasperation of coping with Bobby’s chronic commitment phobia. Throughout, Bobby goes on an intimate tour of, gets an unvarnished look at marriage, and comes to a new and nuanced understanding of “Being Alive.”

Company debuted on Broadway in 1970 when it earned a record-setting fourteen Tony nominations and won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. Book writer George Furth originally conceived the show as eleven different one-act plays. The plays and the subject matter, an unflinching look at upper-middle-class New York marriages, appealed to legendary composer Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd). Sondheim shared the plays with director and producer Hal Prince (Evita, The Phantom of the Opera) who saw in them the potential for a musical. At the time of its debut, Company’s non-linear structure was revolutionary among Broadway musicals, as was its frank, realistic examination of modern relationships.

Revived and reimagined many times over the years, Company is evidence of the enduring nature of its themes. Notable productions include the 2006 Broadway revival starring Raúl Esparza in which the cast also served as the orchestra and a semi-staged New York Philharmonic concert starring Neil Patrick Harris as Bobby and Patti LuPone as Joanne. A current London West End revival features some gender-flipped characters, including a female protagonist, “Bobbie” played by Rosalie Craig.

Tickets for all shows are $22. Seniors and Student tickets are $20 on Sundays. Call 248-608-9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. All seats are reserved.

Show Dates and Times

• Friday, May 17           8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 18      8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 19         2:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 24          8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 25      8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 26         2:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 31           8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 1        8:00 p.m.

Cast and Production Staff by Community

Rochester

• Mark Misch (Set Dress)
• Tracy Murrell (Costume Design)
• Jenna Russell (“Amy”)

Rochester Hills

• Veronica Dean (“Marta”)
• John (JD) Deierlein (Lighting Design and Set Design)
• Peggy Deierlein (Producer)
• Nicholas Frederick (“Paul”)
• Clayton Hargave (“Harry”)
• Brad Holoday (Set Design)
• Louise Holoday (Hair and Make-up Design)
• Odera Office (“Jenny”)
• Max Schein (“Waiter”)

Clarkston

• Sarah Milano (“April”)

Clinton Township

• Patrick Daniels (“David”)
• Cheyenne Johnson (“Kathy”)

Ferndale

• Matt Horn (Music Director)

Inkster

• Kirsten Renas (“Susan”)

Macomb

• Sharon Jourdan (Properties Design)

Ortonville

• Joy Oetjens (“Joanne”)

Pontiac

• James Maurer (“Larry”)

Royal Oak

• Ryan Moore (Director)

Shelby Township

• Mark Palmer (Sound Design)

Sterling Heights

• Eric Rodman (“Peter”)
• Johannah Steinbrecher-Booker (“Sarah”)

Troy

• Maritoni Harte (Choreographer)

Washington

• Matt Cason (“Bobby”)

Waterford

• John Wallace (Sound Design)