Haddonfield Plays and Players is the longest running theater group in South Jersey, having produced more than 500 shows since its founding in 1934. The latest production the Haddonfield Play and Players will be performing is the musical “Company,” running Jan. 15 through Jan. 31 on the weekends.
According to David Stavetski, producer and president of Haddonfield Plays and Players, “Company” is a Stephen Sondheim musical comedy from 1970 that explores the nuances of marriage and adult relationships. The performance is made up of a series of vignettes that don’t seem to connect at first, but all come together in the end. Both the original Broadway show and the 2007 revival won the Tony for Best Musical.
“We chose it because it’s a perennial favorite of audiences and actors alike,” Stavetski said.
Bobby, played by Aaron Kaswen, is a 35-year-old bachelor with lots of coupled friends who think they are helping him by pointing out ways they think he can live a life of love and happiness. Throughout the play, the audience learns about Bobby, his three very different girlfriends, Kathy, Marta and April, and the five very different couples Bobby is friends with, finding perfections and flaws in each of their relationships as well as his own.
“The beauty of Sondheim is that all of the characters are big and are difficult and deep and complex, and you have to make a lot of choices to make them interesting. I think particularly with this show, the balance of the music and the vignettes really makes that really shine. And each couple being so different on top of that, showing different aspects of probably all just one marriage or relationship,” said Sean O’Hea of Haddonfield, who plays David.
The performance includes catchy songs and fun dances, but also includes a karate and pot smoking scene, so this show is not for young children.
“The music is just addicting,” said Kristen Foreman Spence.
For director Fernando Gonzalez, the show has always been a dream of his since college because of the well-defined characters and the story leaving so much up to the individual theater staff as well as audience members to interpret and analyze.
“In essence, Bobby represents us, the audience, and he takes something away from each and every one of the interactions he has in the show. In the end, Bobby comes to some very stark realizations and forces us all to dig deeper into our own interpersonal relationships to figure out who we are as individuals and where we’re going (and with whom),” Gonzalez said.
According to Gonzalez, “Company” is a provocative show because it reveals to audiences what we already know, but might just be afraid to consider.
One of his favorite parts of the show, the silences, helps with these considerations. The silences have emerged as not only moments of reflection for the actors, but also for audiences and will allow the audience to “get it.”
“There are so many moments in this show that provoke thought and dare you to understand what it means to be vulnerable. As they say, silence is deafening, and, in a show with such iconic moments, I find that taking our time in telling these stories will make this intimate show even more intimate,” Gonzalez said.
For this production of “Company,” Gonzalez has chosen to let the music and book speak for themselves by setting the show in a bare-bones, minimalist manner. The music and lights will act as just another one of the couples in Bobby’s life and tell a story of their own.
“This production will be beautiful. Beautiful in sound, lights, moments and inspiration,” Gonzalez said.
“People should come to the show because they wouldn’t want to miss it. If you liked ‘Into the Woods’ or ‘Sweeney Todd,’ come see ‘Company,’” said Carolyn Hand, who plays Joanne.
The performances of the show start with a preview on Thursday, Jan 15 at 7:30 p.m. and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Jan. 16 through Jan. 31 with shows at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be a mid-week performance on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. as well as a cocktail hour after the show on Jan. 23 for a chance to interact with the characters for an additional $15 at the door. Tickets range from $10 to $20 depending on the day. They can be ordered online at www.haddonfieldplayers.com or through the box office at (856) 429–8139. Box office hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The next Haddonfield Play and Players main stage is “Born Yesterday,” a witty comedy from 1946 about a corrupt businessman trying to get ahead, along with his brassy chorus girl girlfriend who just might not be as dimwitted as she appears. The performances of that show will be Feb. 19 through March 7. The Plays & Players are also pleased to offer its Stage Kidz theatre camp, which culminates with a production of “Peter Pan.” For more information on these productions and more about Haddonfield Plays and Players, go to www.haddonfieldplayers.com.
