North Central's 'Company' realistic, dark , hilarious
Lauren Omelson and Alexander Mersman are co-directors of North Central College's student production of "Company." Here's what they had to say about the play:
We decided on "Company" after months of deliberating among a plethora of other shows. In the end, we had to consider what we wanted to direct and what would make us happy to see.
We had help and suggestions from our faculty adviser, Brian Lynch, and also talked with our fellow senior friends, some of whom would be part of the project in helping with technical aspects, coaching actors and vocal/instrumental direction.
We always had "Company" in the top three finalists and we continued to fall more in love with it each time we came back to it.
This is a very realistic, dark, hysterical piece of musical theater that hasn't been done at North Central - and its genre isn't produced at North Central often enough. This musical isn't about the big group dance numbers and the feel-good, everything-is-perfect ending. This is about love, life and relationships.
In a time when the definition of marriage is plagued with high divorce rates and countless cases of infidelity, we both understood the questions Bobby (the central character) had.
On top of its very relevant themes, this play is very actor heavy. When audiences see this production, they won't just see 14 singers who can "kind of" act. The themes in this play are too in-depth to tackle for non-actors.
We knew this piece of theater would challenge every actor and singer, and that is the best thing a director can do to a performer - challenge them.
We've taken a very simple approach to the technical aspects of this production. Instead of large sets and long periods of scene-change time, we've made the set more avant-garde, with platforms that remain stationary on stage the entire performance and only a handful of set pieces.
"Company" speaks for itself. It's intimate. It's realistic. The most important aspect of this musical are its characters and the relationships on stage.
We also have set the musical during present day, since the themes are just as relevant now as they were when it was released in 1970.
Relationships are never 100 percent easy. Regardless of how strong one's relationship is, there will always be difficult times. This musical explores those times.
Bobby is often confused as to why, upon celebrating his 35th birthday, he is still single. His friends lend opinions, which often leave Bobby with more questions than answers.
Our society is built upon the idea that marriage, or at least a lifelong companionship, is the answer to happiness. Is it? While "Company" doesn't force an answer, it definitely looks at various archetypal relationships that many of us see today, whether in our own or fellow friends, neighbors and family members. Through these relationships, Bobby is better able to understand what he wants and just exactly what he is looking for.
A better understanding of one's self will lead to happiness, and just maybe the relationship of your dreams.
What: Stephen Sondheim's and George Fürth's "Company," presented by North Central College students
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28 and March 6-7
Where: Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville
Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors
Info: (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu