The Show: Company is Stephen Sondheim’s ground-breaking musical; a mature, intelligent, and wildly funny look at relationships, vulnerability and “being alive”, rather than simply living.

The Story: It’s his 35th birthday and Robert can’t think of a single wish to make as he blows out his candles. A bachelor, surrounded by married friends, Robert is uncertain whether he should simply be happy with his lot or should wish for his own romantic partner. Over a series of dinner parties, first dates, and conversations, Robert attempts to understand the pros and cons of marriage from his diverse and frequently hilarious friends and begins to make sense of his own persistent bachelorhood.

The Roles:  Stage ages a guide.
Robert: Role already cast. The story’s protagonist, a keen observer who appears to be happy – the one in his circle still single. Terrified of marriage, but fears loneliness.
Couple 1
• Sarah: (30s-40s) – mover – mezzo-soprano, alto. Harry’s hypercritical wife. She is an avid learner of karate and tends to overeat. Open, accepting and loving.
• Harry :(30s-40s) – mover – baritone – Sarah’s husband. He is a recovering alcoholic. Believes the advantages of marriage outweigh the disadvantages. One of Bobby’s closest friends.
Couple 2
• Susan: (20s to 30s) – non-dancer – soprano – A delicate and gracious southern belle. Peter’s wife and ex-wife. Motherly in her affections towards Robert. One of Robert’s ex-girlfriends,
• Peter: (25-35) – mover – baritone – is one of Bobby’s closest friends and is married to Sarah – formerly Ivy League. The perfect husband and ex-husband. He is very liberal in his view of relationships. Possibly gay and closeted.
Couple 3
Jenny: (30-45) – mover – soprano – quietly manipulative, simultaneously square and wise. Loves her husband, David, and will indulge him from time to time.
David: (30 – 45) – non-dancer – high baritone – Jenny’s husband; relaxed and always in control. Believes a man should be married and that the sacrifice of freedom is worth what you get in return.
Couple 4
Amy: (25-40) – non-dancer – alto, A frantic neurotic Catholic, engaged to Paul but terrified of marriage. After a mental breakdown, she finally realizes that Paul is, in fact, her soulmate.
Paul: (25-40s) – mover – tenor. Amy’s Jewish fiancé. Patient with her neurotic nature. Fully commits to the idea of marriage and encourages Robert to do the same.
Couple 5
Joanne: Role already cast.
Larry: (45-65) – mover – high baritone Joanne’s third husband. Stoic and centred but has moments of goofiness. Stoic – indulges his wife’s behaviour but knows when to put his foot down. Loves Joanne with all her faults.
The Girlfriends
• Marta: 20s-30s) – mover – mezzo-soprano – girlfriend of Robert’s. Intensely modern, wild, extravert, seeking adventure and excitement in the city. She’s attractive, charismatic, smart, and strong.
• Kathy: (30s to 40s) – dancer – mezzo-soprano A former girlfriend of Robert’s, now considered a good friend. She plans to leave the city for a life of domesticity. Sweet and loving. “The girl next door” type. Would have been the ideal wife.
• April: (20s-30s) – mover – mezzo-soprano – a flight attendant and one of Robert’s girlfriends who came to New York to live in Radio City. Ditzy and adorable.

The Team: Therry’s fabulous production team includes award-winners David Sinclair (director) and Rodney Hrvatin (musical director) with choreographer Linda Lawson.

The Season: The Arts Theatre:  7^th-11^th and 14^th-17^th June 2022 at 7.30 pm. Matinees first weekend Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. No performance on Saturday evening, 10^th June. Second weekend matinee is Saturday at 2 pm.

The Audition:

Music – Our musical director requests you sing a Sondheim song (bring sheet music please) – not necessarily from this show.

Dance – Some roles require no dancing, some specify being a ‘mover’ – some dance – and others require trained dancing (no tap). If you are a dancer of any standard, and wish to be considered for one of the ‘mover’ of ‘dancer’ roles, please book a time on, or either side of, the hour (for instance, 10.45am, 11 am, 11.15 am) and don’t forget to bring suitable footwear.