At first glance, Thingamajig Theatre Company’s three summer musicals seem to have little in common.
One tells the true story of a small town welcoming thousands of stranded airline passengers after Sept. 11. Another follows a lifelong bachelor navigating friendship, romance and the possibility of commitment in New York City. The third is a beloved classic about family, faith and tradition in a changing world.
Yet, beneath their very different stories lies a shared focus on relationships, community and the ties that connect us. That theme continues with Stephen Sondheim’s and George Furth’s “Company,” opening Friday, June 12, at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts.
“At their core, all three shows are about relationships,” said Producing Artistic Director Tim Moore. “‘Come From Away’ is about people opening their doors to those they’ve never met. ‘Company’ is about the challenges and rewards of intimacy and commitment. ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is about preserving family and tradition while adapting to change. They are very different stories, yet each one explores the ties that connect us to one another.”
More than 50 years after its Broadway debut, “Company” remains one of the most insightful and surprisingly contemporary musicals ever written. While the world has changed dramatically since 1970, the questions at the heart of the show remain remarkably familiar: What does it mean to commit to another person? How much independence are we willing to sacrifice for intimacy? What do we gain when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, and what do we lose when we choose not to?
At the center of the musical is Robert, a successful New Yorker approaching his 35th birthday. Surrounded by married friends, former lovers and plenty of advice, he finds himself confronting questions about love, companionship and what it means to build a life with others.
Through a series of interconnected scenes and some of Sondheim’s most celebrated songs, including “Being Alive,” “Another Hundred People” and “The Ladies Who Lunch,” the musical explores those questions with humor, honesty and emotional depth.
“Company may be over 50 years old, but audiences continue to see themselves in it,” Moore said. “The circumstances may change, but the fundamental questions remain the same. How do we connect with one another? What do we risk by opening ourselves up to love? And what do we lose when we choose not to? Those are timeless questions.”
Originally premiering on Broadway in 1970, “Company” helped redefine what a musical could be. Rather than telling a traditional linear story, it presents a collection of moments, conversations and observations that gradually reveal the emotional journey of its central character. The result is a musical that is funny, intelligent, occasionally uncomfortable and deeply human. It remains just as relevant today as it did when audiences first encountered it more than half a century ago.
The production features Thingamajig Theatre Company’s professional summer repertory company, bringing together artists from across the country and the Four Corners region.
Directed by Dennis Elkins, with music direction by Sloan J. Artis, DMA, and choreography by Pia Wyatt, “Company” showcases the wit, complexity and emotional depth that have made it one of the most influential musicals in American theater.
Audience members are invited to remain after the performances on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, for special opening weekend talkbacks with members of the cast and creative team.
Whether audiences are discovering “Company” for the first time or returning to a longtime favorite, they may find themselves surprised by how familiar its questions feel. More than a period piece, the musical remains a thoughtful, funny and moving examination of the relationships that shape our lives.
“Company” opens Friday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts and runs through Aug. 19.
Tickets are available at pagosacenter.org or by calling (970) 731-SHOW (7469).
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