Denison University's department of theatre presents the final production of its 74th subscription series whenCompany,with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth, opens on April 8. Curtain is scheduled for 8 p.m. each evening of the musical which will run Friday and Saturday (April 8-9) and Tuesday through Saturday (April 12-16) in Ace Morgan Theatre (211 West College St.). Admission is $8 general admission, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for students. To reserve tickets, please call the box office at (740) 587-6527.

Winner of the 1971 Tony Award for Best Musical,Companyis a bittersweet, clever and thought-provoking portrayal of five couples as seen through the eyes of their bachelor friend Robert. Last performed at Denison in February of 1990, this year's production will be directed by Associate Professor Peter Pauzé, who notes, "Companyis sometimes referred to as 'that Sondheim musical about marriage,' but it would be more accurate to call it 'that Sondheim musical about not being alone.' Hence the title." Indeed, the musical explores a wide variety of ways people try to avoid being alone, including friendship, love, sex, domestic partnerships, communal rituals and, of course, marriage. Along the way the play takes a good hard look at love and commitment, fear and longing, and the simple joy of being alive.

Pauzé also points out thatCompanywas a breakthrough, the first of what have come to be called "concept musicals" -- musicals that eschew a traditional storyline for a nonlinear collage of scenes that explore a central idea or concept. As such,Companycheerfully breaks many of the conventions of the traditional American musical and, according to Pauzé, "affectionately parodies musical comedy even as it reinvents the form." It is also very much an ensemble piece, populated with 14 equally important characters, each of whom has a unique perspective on the plusses and minuses of keeping company. Says Pauzé, "Most members of our audience will find these characters very familiar, perhaps embarrassingly so. Stephen Sondheim's work is sometimes criticized for not being warm and fuzzy; it is never criticized for not being insightful, poignant and painfully funny."

Four Vail Artists-in-Residence are working on the production: Kevin Wines as music director, Melanie Miles as costume designer, Stephanie Gerkins as scenic designer, and Mary Sykes as lighting designer. Senior Aileen Zeigler (Columbus, Ind.) is undertaking the role of stage manager for the production and will be assisted by junior Emily Meagher (Evansville, Ind.) and first-year student Jason Ginter (Juneau, Alaska). Dance choreographers are senior Megan Long (Chapmanville, W. Va.) and junior Caitlin McCown (Beloit, Wis.).

Cast members include: seniors Brittany Klintworth (Salt Lake City, Utah), Megan Long, David McDonald (Cincinnati), Elena Perantoni (Canfield), Maggie Reid (Coral Gables, Fla.) and David Tyler (Chagrin Falls); juniors Maggie Hopf (Geneseo, N.Y.) and Benjamin Rorrer (Point Pleasant, W. Va.); sophomores Christopher Carr (Weymouth, Mass.), Jordan Fehr (University Heights), Jill Kirk (Gates Mills), Sebastian Orr (Chardon) and Julie Rogers (Upper Montclair, N.J.); and first-year student Greta Kuhlman (Van Nuys, Calif.).

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville - Theatre department production ofCompany; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (April 8-9) and Tuesday-Saturday (April 12-16) in Ace Morgan Theatre (211 W. College Street). General admission is $8, $5 for senior citizens, and $4 for students. Please call the box office at (740) 587-6527 to reserve tickets.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

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(740) 587-8575