Everybody Rise — and Grab an Instrument; Barbara Walsh to Star in Cincy Company
By Kenneth Jones
20 Dec 2005
Tony Award nominee Barbara Walsh, of Broadway's Big, Blood Brothers and Falsettos, will play boozy Joanne in John Doyle's conception of Company that has actors playing instruments.
As previously reported, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park staging that begins March 14, 2006, will star Raúl Esparza as Bobby. Director Doyle mined gold in London and on Broadway with his unique Sweeney Todd production in which the acting company doubles as on-stage orchestra, in view of the audience and involved in the action.
Full casting for Company by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth has been announced by the resident Ohio company. Mary-Mitchell Campbell, the respected Manhattan music director and arranger, has been engaged to serve as the production's music supervisor and orchestrator.
Performances play March 14-April 14, 2006, in the Playhouse's Robert S. Marx Theatre.
The cast of Company includes Keith Buterbaugh as Harry; Matt Castle
as Peter; Robert Cunningham as Paul; Angel Desai as Marta; Kelly Jeanne Grant as Kathy; Kristin Huffman as Sarah; Amy
Justman as Susan; Heather Laws as Amy; Leenya Rideout as Jenny; Fred Rose as David; Bruce Sabath as Larry; Elizabeth Stanley as April.
In addition to Doyle and Campbell, the creative team includes David Gallo (set designer), Ann Hould-Ward (costume designer) and Thomas C. Hase (lighting designer). The first stage
manager is Suann Pollock and second stage manager is Bruce E.
Coyle.
Here's how Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park bills the show: "Company is a revolutionary, unconventional look at love and commitment in a complex modern world. The show is a remarkably honest, clever and
sophisticated portrayal of five married couples as seen through the eyes of their mutual friend Bobby, a bachelor weighing the pros and cons of wedded life."
The original 1970 Broadway production was honored with the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for best musical as well as six Tony Awards, including those for music and
lyrics (Stephen Sondheim's first), book, scenic design, director and best musical.
The score includes "Being Alive," "The Ladies Who Lunch," "Another Hundred People," "The Little Things You Do Together," "Someone Is Waiting," "Sorry-Grateful," "Side by Side by Side," "Barcelona," "You Could Drive a Person Crazy," "Getting Married Today," "Poor Baby." "Have I Got a Girl for You," "Company." The production is expected to employ "Mary Me a Little," which was cut from the original staging but later interpolated into some revivals.
For more information, call (513) 421-3888 or (800) 582-3208 or visit www.cincyplay.com. *
The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is in its 46th season. In 2004, it snagged the Regional Theatre Tony Award.
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