Silver Summit Theatre Company to Present COMPANY, 11/7-23

Silver Summit Theatre Company announces their first full-length musical comedy, Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY, to be produced and showcased November 7, 2015 at the new Sugar Space Arts Warehouse at 130 S. 800 W. in Salt Lake City, Utah. The show is directed by Kate Rufener, with music direction by Anne Puzey.

The clashing sounds and pulsing rhythms of New York City underscore this landmark, multiple Tony Award-winner, considered by many to have ushered in the modern era of musical theatre. Stephen Sondheim-the most significant creative force in musical theater during the past half-century-delivers an honest, witty, sophisticated look at relationships, and COMPANY, considered by many as the musical that started the "concept" musical genre, features a brilliant energetic score containing many of Sondheim's best-loved songs; given the current political climate surrounding marriage and equality under the law, this musical examination is as contemporary and brilliantly relevant in 2014 as it was in 1970.

On his 35th birthday, Bobby-a commitment-phobic bachelor-searches for the answers to love and life in New York City. While enjoying the company of some lovely ladies, he observes both the joys and pitfalls of marriage from his five quirky couple friends-"those good and crazy people"- but is he ready? Only Bobby can find the answer in this musical examination of the institution that is matrimony, which is both piercing with it's psychological clarity, and buoyed by the comic appreciation of human frailty. This musical includes some of the best and most beloved songs by Sondheim including Another Hundred People, Not Getting Married Today, Sorry-Grateful, Ladies Who Lunch, and Being Alive.

Says director, Kate Rufener, "[Company] is really the story of anyone who's ever been single, felt like the third wheel, or worried they aren't 'doing enough' to get into a relationship." She adds, "Bobby, who is single, represents anyone who has ever felt that way. He struggles to understand his place in his group of friends and in his own life." As do we all.

"On February 1st of 2011, I and several hundred other local admirers of his work, had the priviledge of attending an Evening with Stephen Sondheim, in honor of his 80th birthday," says Michele Rideout, one of the show's producers. "It was that evening I knew that I needed to find a way to bring COMPANY, Sondheim's masterful concept musical, the concept musical that started it all, to Salt Lake City audiences again. The musical syncopations, the realistic and honest way that characters are written and voiced. Sondheim is the master composer and lyricist. I just needed to be a part of it and I believe deeply that this songful, soulful story will resonate with audiences."

COMPANY is presented by Silver Summit Theatre by special arrangement and licensing through Music Theatre International. Past in-state productions include Opera West (Provo, 1991), Emily Company (SLC, 2001), Weber State University (Ogden, 2004), Southern Utah University (Cedar City, 2010).

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