Company At The Keller Auditorium
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Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” a quintessential musical comedy, recently took center stage at Portland’s Keller Auditorium, and it made for such a fun and entertaining evening!
At its core, “Company” revolves around the life of Bobbie, a single woman unable to commit fully to a relationship. The show is structured around a series of vignettes exploring Bobbie’s interactions with her married friends and her three boyfriends. The humor in “Company” is sharp and slapstick, with plenty of moments that had the audience laughing out loud. The witty dialogue and clever lyrics are filled with double entendres and observations about marriage, commitment, and the nature of relationships- good and bad.
The set design at the Keller Auditorium was both inventive and fun. The staging effectively used minimalistic yet versatile elements to create different environments, from sleek New York apartments to bustling city streets. The clever use of lighting and props transformed the stage seamlessly from one scene to another, adding a dynamic visual component to the show. The vibrant colors and modern design elements contributed to the overall upbeat and energetic feel of the production.
But what truly made this production of “Company” stand out was the talent of the cast. Each actor brought a unique charm to their role, making their characters feel both relatable and larger-than-life. The chemistry among the cast members was palpable, adding depth to the various relationships depicted in the show.
The role of Bobbie was played with a perfect blend of charisma and vulnerability. The actress’s portrayal captured Bobbie’s internal conflict and her journey towards self-discovery beautifully. Her vocal performance was equally impressive, delivering Sondheim’s challenging melodies with ease and emotion. Numbers like “Being Alive” resonated deeply with the audience, showcasing her ability to convey complex emotions through song.
Equally incredible were the performances of the actors playing Bobbie’s married friends. Each couple had their own distinct dynamic, providing a wide array of comedic moments and touching insights into married life. The scenes with the tightly wound Sarah and Harry were particularly hilarious, thanks to their impeccable timing and physical comedy. Their karate demonstration scene had the audience in stitches.
Bobbie’s boyfriends added yet another layer of humor and charm to the show. The standout among them was the flighty and endearing Andy, whose ditzy personality was portrayed with perfect comedic timing. His rendition of “Barcelona” was both funny and poignant, highlighting his character’s simplicity and genuine affection for Bobbie.
Overall, the Keller Auditorium’s production of “Company” was a fun show, brought to life by a talented cast and a creative production team. The humor, engaging set design, and outstanding performances made for an unforgettable evening of theater. For those seeking a show that is both thought-provoking and entertaining, this production of “Company” was a must-see, leaving audiences with smiles on their faces and songs in their hearts.
Ticket & Show Info
Tickets can be purchased HERE
Tuesday, July 16th @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 17th @ 7:30pm
Thursday, July 18th @ 7:30pm
Friday, July 19th @ 7:30pm
Saturday, July 20th @ 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, July 21st @ 1:00pm & 6:30pm
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PORTLAND, OR – The producers of the hilarious Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s and George Furth’s COMPANY, winner of five 2022 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival are delighted to announce the Portland engagement coming for one-week to Keller Auditorium from July 16 – 21.
Tickets are available at www.BroadwayinPortland.com.
Starring in the role of Bobbie is Britney Coleman, who completed her run in the First National Tour of Beetlejuice. The iconic role of Joanne will be played by none other than Judy McLane, who is a Drama Desk Award nominee and Outer Critics Circle Award winner.
They will be joined by Derrick Davis as Larry, Javier Ignacio as Peter, James Earl Jones II as Harry, Jessie Hooker-Bailey as Sarah, Marina Kondo as Susan, Jed Resnick as David, Jhardon DiShon Milton as Paul, Matt Rodin as Jamie, Emma Stratton as Jenny, Jacob Dickey as Andy, Tyler Hardwick as PJ and David Socolar as Theo.
The complete cast of COMPANY also includes Matthew Christian, Christopher DeAngelis, Kenneth Quinney Francoeur, CJ Greer, Elysia Jordan, Beth Stafford Laird and Christopher Henry Young.
Producer Chris Harper said, “This exhilarating production of COMPANY was a huge success in the West End and on Broadway. I was absolutely thrilled when it won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival and I’m so excited for audiences around the country to share the joy. I know they will have so much fun!”
The North American tour of the smash hit musical comedy is visiting more than 25 cities in the 2023-2024 season. For a complete list of engagements that have been announced, please visit CompanyMusical.com.
The North American tour of COMPANY follows the critically acclaimed, sold-out engagement in London’s West End, and Tony Award-winning run on Broadway. The most honored musical of the 2021-2022 Broadway season is directed by three-time Tony Award winner Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America).
COMPANY, the musical comedy masterpiece about the search for love and cocktails in New York, is turned on its head in Elliott’s revelatory staging, in which musical theatre’s most iconic bachelor is now a bachelorette. At Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, all her friends are wondering why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man? And, why can’t she settle down and have a family? This whip smart musical comedy, given a game-changing makeover for a modern-day Manhattan, features some of Sondheim’s best loved songs, including “Company,” “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side,” and the iconic “Being Alive.”
Sondheim and Elliott collaborated to update COMPANY, bringing Bobbie’s array of friends and lovers into the 21st century: Paul is waiting patiently for his fiancée Jamie to get over his frantic wedding day jitters. Sarah and Harry try jujitsu to keep their marriage alive. Joanne is on her third husband with younger man, Larry. Peter and Susan seem to have the perfect marriage, until perfection proves impossible. Jenny and her square husband David can’t understand Bobbie’s perpetually single status and are not shy about telling her. All while Bobbie juggles three men: sexy flight attendant Andy, small-town boy Theo trying to find his way in the big city, and P.J., the native New Yorker who is more in love with his hometown than Bobbie!
The creative team for COMPANY includes Liam Steel (choreography), Joel Fram (musical supervisor, additional vocal arrangements), Tony Award winner Bunny Christie (set and costume design), Tony Award nominee Neil Austin (lighting design), Tony Award nominee Ian Dickinson (original sound design), Keith Caggiano (tour sound design), Tony Award nominee David Cullen (orchestrations), Sam Davis (dance arrangements), Chris Fisher (illusions), Campbell Young Associates (hair, wig, and makeup design), Steve Bebout (associate direction) and Tara Rubin (casting).
COMPANY began preview performances on Broadway on March 2, 2020, and, following the shutdown, resumed previews on November 15, 2021. The production was in previews when on November 26, 2021, Broadway suffered the devastating loss of the titan of the American musical, composer Stephen Sondheim. This production of COMPANY was the last Broadway production of his work that he saw to fruition before his passing at the age of 91.
The production opened to critical acclaim on Broadway December 9, 2021 and was called “gloriously transformative” (The New York Times), “dazzling” (The Hollywood Reporter), “sensational” (Variety), “deeply funny,” (The Washington Post), “a phenomenon that should be experienced in person at least once in this life,” (The New Yorker), and “hands down the best musical production of the season” (New York Post).
COMPANY played its final performance on Broadway on July 31, 2022, having played 300 performances (268 regular performances and 32 preview performances).
The North American tour of COMPANY is produced by Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber. Anièle Fortin-Perkell of Work Light Productions is the Executive Producer.
Group tickets of 10 or more are available by calling the Group Sales department at 503-295-3509.
Broadway in Portland is a partnership between Portland Opera and Broadway Across America.
