Full Casting Announced for Doyle's Company; Barbara Walsh to Play Joanne

Tony Award-nominee Barbara Walsh will propose a toast as the sardonic Joanne in John Doyle's upcoming production of Company, which will begin its run at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park on March 14th, 2006.

Raul Esparza (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Taboo, Cabaret) was previously announced to play Bobby in the production, which will be helmed by Doyle, the director and designer who won raves for his current high-concept staging of Sweeney Todd. As with the Sweeney Todd revival, Doyle's Company will feature its actors playing instruments as well as performing.

In addition to Esparza and Walsh, Company will star 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 and Elizabeth Stanley as April.

Company, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim />and a book by George Furth, traces the love life of bachelor Bobby, whose interactions with his married friends force him to re-evaulate his choices about commitment. Fragmented in structure and slangily, sexily modern in content, Company marked the first musical in the groundbreaking collaboration between Sondheim and director Harold Prince.

"Mr. Doyle's production of Company will feature the same concept he used in Sweeney: a reinvention of the show in which the actors also serve as its orchestra of musicians," according to the Cincinatti Playhouse's website. The idea for the production fermented when Edward Stern, the artistic director of the theatre, saw Sweeney Todd in London and was impressed by the inventiveness of its staging. He asked Doyle what Sondheim musical he would like to stage after Sweeney Todd. Sondheim, as well, has okayed the new production of Company.

Company, starring Dean Jones (who was soon after replaced by Larry Kert), Elaine Stritch />and others, opened at the Alvin Theatre on April 26th, 1970 and ran for 705 performances. The show won six Tony Awards--including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book and Best Scenic Design (for Boris Aronson). Company featured direction by Prince; he was aided by Michael Bennett who delivered the show's choreography.

Walsh, who recently appeared in the Transport Group's musical Normal, received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Falsettos.  Broadway credits include Hairspray, Big, Blood Brothers and Rock 'N Roll! The First 5,000 Years.

The show's creative team will comprise Mary-Mitchell Campbell (music supervision and orchestrations), David Gallo (sets), Ann Hould-Ward (costumes) and Thomas C. Hase (lighting).

Call (513) 421-3888 or (800) 582-3208 or visit www.cincyplay.com for more information.