Troupe to show you what life's all about in 'Company'

It isn't standard fare for community theater. But that is what LZP Productions liked about Stephen Sondheim's musical, "Company."

The group will stage the show Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting Friday through Jan. 20 at Cutting Hall in Palatine.

"We like to do shows that are unusual or haven't been done around here in awhile," explained Morra Miller-Priess, artistic director of the 11-year-old repertory company.

"'Company' is the show that cemented Stephen Sondheim's reputation as a lyricist, as well as a composer," she said. "It has gorgeous music and is both funny and touching. It swept the Tony Awards in 1970 and last year it won for the Best Revival on Broadway."

Set in New York City, "Company" follows five couples and their mutual friend, a 35-year-old bachelor who is unable to stay in a long-term relationship.

Much of the show is seen through the eyes of Bobby, the bachelor. So he naturally plays up the various relationships' flaws. But, in the end, Bobby realizes that relationships, even imperfect ones, are a necessary part of life.

"Even though this show is 40 years old, it speaks well about relationships," Miller-Priess said. "There is a common misconception among people that this show is anti-marriage and I would say that it is anything but anti-marriage. The lasting lesson of this show is that it takes another person to add to your life."

"Company" fits in to the production company's mission to provide an opportunity to understand the world rather than escape it.

LZP officials have also chosen to stage this show in a very unusual manner, Miller-Priess said.

"Stephen Sondheim is something of a game fanatic so we have chosen to make the entire set a life-sized game board for the vintage game of 'Life' so that the audience enjoys an interesting visual along with this interesting show," she said.

"And that game board is Bobby's safe place during the show. He can't leave it until the end when he grows to understand life and relationships," Miller-Priess added.

Ken Priess of Hawthorn Woods, Miller-Priess' husband, is cast as Bobby, while Miller-Priess plays one of the wives. Other cast members come from Schiller Park, Skokie, Palatine, Winthrop Harbor, Bloomingdale, Schaumburg, Cary, Chicago and Northbrook.

Tickets are now on sale for $17 and available by calling (224) 639-3422. Shows will be presented at 8 p.m., Friday, Saturday, Jan. 18 and 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday and Jan. 20. "Company" is recommended for mature audiences.

If you go

What: LZP Productions presents "Company"

When: 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m., Sundays, through Jan. 20.

Where: Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine

Cost: $17 at the door

Call: (224) 639-3422 to reserve seats