‘Company’ explores relationships

Preview by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Frontier Publications, November 8, 2007

“Company” is on stage Nov. 8-18. Pictured are Lia Sumerano, JennaBeth Stockman,
Nick Cocchetto, David Avery, Lisa LeCuyer, Steven E. Sitzman and Nick Lama.
(photo by John Stuart/www.stuiephoto.com)

Niagara University’s presentation of “Company” has a number of factors in its favor:

•It’s a Sondheim musical, meaning the dialogue and songs are clever.

“The real joy is in the complexity of the lyrics; in the wittiness of the lyrics,” said director Doug Zschiegner. “He has fun with words like no one else in musical theater.”

•The structure of the musical is non-traditional. Instead of a chronological narrative, Sondheim revolves “Company” around one scene, a 35th birthday party for Robert (also called Bob, Bobby, Robby, Robbo) – the show’s lead – and a series of related, non-time-specific vignettes.

“It was a play about an idea rather than a story. It’s not a conventional story,” Zschiegner said.

Throughout each sketch, we discover Robert’s feelings about marriage and friendship through his interaction with five couples and three girlfriends.

“Every character has a lesson to teach Bobby,” said JennaBeth Stockman (married Kathy).

•The theme of the show is universal.

“It’s really about relationships as a whole – whether you’re willing to go through the good and the bad with the other person,” Nick Cocchetto (Robert) said.

“It’s relatable to everyone,” said Lisa LeCuyer, who plays married Jenny.

“It’s a chance to explore different situations in relationships,” added Matthew Chavez (married Larry).

•The actors are well suited to portray Sondheim’s ensemble.

“The students here have a far higher level of musical ability and dedication,” Zschiegner said.

Collectively, these factors make the production shine. The student actors, paired with Sondheim’s words, make the show enjoyable – even at two-plus hours.

“Company” begins with Robert’s party, his married friends encouraging him to settle down already. His response is, “I’m not avoiding marriage, it’s avoiding me.”

Subsequent scenes pair Robert with Sarah (Caitlin Holland) and Harry (Steven E. Sitzman), a couple on the wagon (food and drink, respectively) and lovingly bent on a karate sparring; Peter (Preston Cuer) and Susan (Kimberly Jarmusz), a pair giddy at the prospect of uniting through divorce; David (Nick Lama) and Jenny (LeCuyer), a funny, square couple experimenting with pot; and Amy (Cassie Gorniewicz) and Paul (David Avery), a duo with drastically different views on getting married.

The pep talks offered by each twosome seem to be as much for their benefit and encouragement as for Robert’s sake. The couples are both eager to fix him up and a bit envious of his bachelor status. They espouse the advantages of marriage – and the drawbacks of living with another person.

Robert also spends time with a trio of female suitors: Kathy (Stockman), April (Candice Kogut) and Marta (Lia Sumerano). The first two women are somewhat uncertain of their place in life, compounding Robbo’s relationship uncertainty. The third seems more focused on her connection with society than with Bobby.

In the second act, the fifth couple, snobby Joanne (Adrienne Lewis) and easygoing Larry (Chavez), are introduced in more detail, as Robert revisits scenes with the other couples and his girlfriends, ultimately coming to a conclusion on life and love.

Cocchetto’s portrayal of Robert is spot-on. He aptly portrays the lead as an everyman, making him accessible to any audience. Bobby is not too suave, or boring, or sophisticated, or unkempt. He’s not too much of anything, but simply a guy trying to figure out what it means to have relationships.

Each couple is believable and offers a valuable look into marriage. LeCuyer, her character stoned, is very funny. Gorniewicz, as Amy, is charming and crazy and afraid to get hitched. Yet, the actress shows her character as hopeful deep down, making her both sympathetic and likeable. Avery is patient and loving as Paul – a good complement to Gorniewicz.

Kogut has the best facial expressions of any actor, making her character more true to life. Stockman is longing and kind.

“Company” is on stage at the Leary Theatre Nov. 8-18. For more information, visit www.niagara.edu/theatre.