Barnstormers explore adulthood in Company

After having performed a series of six productions in the Swirnow Theater, the Barnstormers recently showcased their rendition of Sondheim’s musical comedy Company.

According to the musical’s producer, Eve Rosekind, this particular show was chosen by the Barnstormers Executive Board. It was selected out of the many suggestions they received due to the fact that it is an ensemble show in which everyone has a key role to play. It also only requires a simple set.

The musical, originally produced and directed by Harold Prince, is based on a book written by George Furth. It opens with the main character Robert celebrating his 35th birthday with his friends who are all married or soon-to-be-married couples. He is surrounded by these happy couples for the duration of the plot, only to discover the nuances, both positive and negative, of their seemingly blissful exterior.

Likewise, the musical numbers are both serious and satirical, often focusing on the disheartening complexities of marriage and the question of settling down and raising a family. One of the recurring musical themes is from the “Opening,” in which Robert’s friends repeat “Bobby” in an ominous manner, smothering him with the prospects of marriage and commitment.

Centered around adult matters, the show discusses many topics that could be difficult for college students to relate to. According to Rosekind, one of the ways the cast was able to delve into these topics was by hiring a professional director, Robert Mintz, who himself has had these experiences and helped other cast members to further comprehend them.

“He was a great resource for helping the cast understand a lot of the difficult materials,” wrote Rosekind in an email to The News-Letter. “The other way the cast tackled these questions was by really thinking and talking about their characters and their relationships to each other based on what their characters say and do in the show.”

Freshman Elizabeth Winkelhoff, who plays Robert’s friend Amy, took part in this discussion of the subject material.

“Marriage and its struggles are a topic that I myself, as a single freshman in college, have little personal experience with. But we [the cast and our directors] would discuss the show, the songs, and the characters to get a better feel for them and how to fill their shoes,” Winkelhoff wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “Cast members would even discuss their characters outside of rehearsal, like how me and the actor who played my husband, Ian Markham, came up with backstory as to how our characters met and how they acted around the house.”

Winkelhoff also compared this experience to those she has had while working on other productions with the Barnstormers.

“I did participate in the Freshman One Acts, and that was just like this but at a much smaller scale. So although Company took up much more time and drained a lot more energy, both environments were stimulating and welcoming,” Winkelhoff explained.

As producer, Rosekind was able to ensure that all cast members felt welcome and comfortable.

“I am there to support the cast, crew and director if they ever have any questions, run into any problems, or are having difficulties working with another member of the production,” she wrote. 

The hair and makeup, designed by Ines Botto, helped transform the cast members from young college students into disgruntled thirty-somethings and brought the audience deeper into the musical’s story. With perfect pieces like Joanne’s tailored blazers and slick bun, Susan’s prim pink sweaters and Larry’s dapper suits, each character had a costume that precisely embodied their role within married life and the story as a whole.

Another noteworthy element of the musical was the set pieces, designed by the Set and Technical Director, Raidizon Mercedes. From the elaborate metal structure which framed each couple to the mobile boxes used for all furniture pieces, the set was kept simple and functional. It did not distract the audience from the complex issues at hand.

Despite the risk inherent in performing this adult material to an audience of college students, the intricate and powerful performances of each cast member allowed the plot to become one that incited empathy.

Audiences responded with laughter and applause to the uproarious musical numbers as well as to the more subtle jabs at married and middle-aged life.

These performances left audience members like freshman Holly Tice wishing that the Barnstormers put on more than one musical each year.

“It was refreshing to go to a musical instead of a play,” said Tice. “I wish they put on more musicals like this one.”