Ohio Northern University’s Freed Center for the Performing Arts will present “Company” at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 23-25 and matinee performances at 2 p.m. Oct. 25-26.
The clashing sounds and pulsing rhythms of New York City underscore this landmark “concept” show, considered by many to have inaugurated the modern era of musical theatre. “Company” follows anti-hero bachelor Robert as he makes his way through a series of encounters with April (the stewardess), Kathy (the girl who’s going to marry someone else), Marta (the peculiar one), as well as his married friends.
On the night of his 35th birthday, confirmed bachelor Robert contemplates his unmarried state. In vignette after hilarious vignette, the audience is introduced to “those good and crazy people,” his married friends, as Robert weighs the pros and cons of married life. In the end, he realizes being alone is “alone, not alive.”
Brian P. Sage, ONU assistant professor of theatre, is the director for the production, Michael Jordan, ONU staff accompanist, is serving as the musical director, and Brenda Hoyt-Brackman, adjunct faculty member at ONU for the Department of Theatre Arts, is the choreographer.
The cast includes Trevor Dorner (Robert), a senior musical theatre major from Perrysburg, Ohio; Madeleine Gish (Sarah), a sophomore musical theatre major from Evansville, Ind.; Timothy Swaim (Harry), a junior musical theatre major from Oregon, Ohio; Madeline Chitty (Susan), a junior musical theatre major and design minor from Charleston, S.C.; Isaac Steinhour (Peter), a senior musical theatre, international theatre production, and French triple major from Findlay, Ohio; Jennifer Barnaba (Jenny), a senior musical theatre and music double major from Bellbrook, Ohio; Garrett Hill (David), a junior musical theatre major from Ridgeway, Ohio; Katie Hotz (Amy), a sophomore musical theatre major from Millbury, Ohio; Brady Miller (Paul), a senior musical theatre and public relations double major from Findlay, Ohio; Tyler Matanick (Larry), a junior musical theatre major from Toledo, Ohio; Sara Ohm (April), a junior theatre and language arts education double major from New Albany, Ohio; and Elena Coleman (Marta), a sophomore musical theatre and public relations double major from Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for children. Tickets are $10 for ONU faculty and staff and $5 for ONU students. The Freed Center box office is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone orders are accepted with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover by calling 419-772-1900. Tickets also are available online at www.freedcenter.com
