The OU Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre will end the season’s musical run with Stephen Sondheim’s piece “Company,” a show about connection and relationships.
Written by George Furth and lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, the musical won multiple Tony Awards, including best musical and best score.
The musical follows bachelor Robert, who is celebrating his 35th birthday with friends. When making a wish on his birthday, he is faced with the question of whether he should pursue marriage or if his friends are enough.
“Bobby's like a third wheel in all of these situations, and we focus and use Bobby almost like a lens for the audience to examine these relationship dynamics,” said Scott Guthrie, director and assistant professor of musical theater performance.
With the success of its 2021 Broadway revival, Guthrie said he believed it was time to bring back the production in a new way.
“I think this is a ‘Company’ that will have not been seen before,” Guthrie said. “Between the design elements, the costumes, the set, the lights, the sound, we really are trying to bring the audience into the world of New York in 1970.”
The musical's scenic designer Abby Pirtle was tasked with conveying both the overwhelming aspects of New York City, as well as its cramped nature, reflecting the show's main themes of connection and proximity.
“For my design, I really wanted to keep it fairly intimate in the space, so we kind of feel the claustrophobia that (Bobby) is feeling in his skin,” Pritle said.
While painted backdrops have seen less use in OU’s productions compared to printed backdrops, the set features a canvas with painted, fluid elements against two sets of rolling staircases that move throughout the show, as well as square windows that show a peek into Bobby’s life.
“It kind of is a juxtaposition of my elements, and also, the design of the (backdrop) just kind of the chaos of what New York is and a lot of the different styles,” Pirtle said.
Other elements of “Company” that bring to life 1970’s New York include costuming with '70s-style hair, wigs and mustaches, according to Guthrie.
The show explores the idea for a city full of strangers, and Guthrie, who was a New York resident for almost 20 years, said he understood how isolation could occur in a place like New York City.
“It’s easier to be lonely in a room full of strangers. There's safety in numbers. It wouldn't be unusual to see people crying on the subway or on the sidewalk or having these moments because they know that some of these people are just gonna ignore them,” Guthrie said.
When Guthrie moved to Oklahoma from New York, he said he noticed the silence. To immerse the audience, Guthrie said the show’s sound designer aimed to create a soundtrack that mimics that of his time in the city.
“New York is just constant white noise, whether it's downtown traffic, people talking … so I want the sound to almost be a character in the show," Guthrie said.
Guthrie said audiences should come to the show with an open mind, prepared to laugh, get emotional and ask questions about the relationships that are shown.
“The reflection on the relationships is a reflection on the individuals as well,” Guthrie said.
He said his goal is to view “Company” as a period piece that examines life in 1970s New York City. Certain numbers in the script are optional and Guthrie has explored the possibility of performing those, while omitting others.
“I'm trying to do a show that's asking a lot of questions, but may not give a lot of answers,” Guthrie said. “I really want this to be a conversation piece for people when they leave the theater, maybe go out and have dinner afterwards or talk about it in the days to come. That is unique to our ‘Company.’”
The production has faced setbacks with winter weather, sickness and absences due to flight delays with audition season for summer theaters. The non-chronological production process has been challenging for some students, but Guthrie has remained optimistic.
“It's such a privilege to get to work with that kind of caliber talent, but they're also really good people. They're people I like being in the room with,” Guthrie said. “We have fun and we will laugh in the room and have a good time, and there are days that it doesn't feel like work.”
“Company” opens 8 p.m. March 6, with additional shows at 3 and 8 p.m. March 7 and 8 at Elsie C. Brackett Theatre.
Tickets are available online with discounts for OU employees, military personnel and adults 60 and over. Student tickets start at $17.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron and Natalie Armour. Andrew Higgins and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
