A classic play at The Pollard Theatre offers a single man’s take on his married friends’ advice.

The Pollard Theatre Company raises the curtain on its production of Company through July 11 at The Pollard Theatre in Guthrie.

Company is Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical featuring a cast of 14. The show is set in New York and follows bachelor Robert on his 35th birthday and his five married couple friends who join in the celebration by offering various aspects of relationship advice. Each interaction is presented through Robert’s point of view.

Timothy Stewart, the play’s director, believes the production will have audiences relating to each of the characters.

“I think everyone can recognize themselves in Robert, in a way,” Stewart said, “especially from their single lives and his relationship to his married friends. Then again, someone can recognize themselves in the married couples, too.”

Company is based on a book by George Furth with music and lyrics by Sondheim. It first opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on April 26, 1970. The show ran for 705 performances and received the 1971 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Music, Best Original Lyrics, Best Scenic Design and Best Direction of a Musical. Company returned in various revivals, the most recent U.S. production in 2006 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Broadway.

According to Stewart, Company is more of a mature show and is not for children. But he said audiences will recognize its tunes and have an enjoyable experience.

“It’s not as known to the masses, but some of the songs they will recognize. I think the music is great, and also the story itself,” Stewart said. “It’s an incredible show.”

The cast for the production of Company at The Pollard Theatre includes Renee Anderson, Elin Bhaird, Matthew Alvin Brown, Gwendolyn Evans, Scott Hynes, Cory King, Nekeisha McGee, Charlie Monnot, Matthew Morales, Harold Mortimer, Susan Riley, W. Jerome Stevenson, Jennifer Teel and Lexi Windsor.

All of the cast members are Oklahoma natives, and Stewart said they’re a close-knit group.

“I’ve been in love with this show for a long time,” Stewart said, “and this particular production has a great cast. All of them are excited to do it and be here.  They’re incredible talent, and they’re a joy to work with.”

Tickets are $27.25 with senior, military and student discounts available. Performances will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are available to purchase online at thepollard.org, by phone at 282-2800 or at The Pollard box office, 120 W. Harrison Ave., in Guthrie.

Print headline: Good Company, A classic play at The Pollard Theatre offers a single man’s take on his married friends’ advice.

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