Castle Craig Players Bring The Innovative Spirit Of Sondheim's COMPANY To Meriden

What do you do when you've got three girlfriends, all your friends are married, and it's your birthday? Find out as the Castle Craig Players close out their 25th Anniversary Season with Stephen Sondheim & George Furth's groundbreaking musical comedy, COMPANY, running July 27-August 11 at their intimate cabaret venue.

It's Bobby's 35th birthday and he's still single, trying to find a way to have a serious relationship without a serious commitment. But as his friends - all couples at different stages in their marriages - impose their unique perspectives of relationship function and dysfunction on him, Bobby is forced to consider relaxing his determined grip on bachelorhood as he begins to explore one of life's greatest questions: what does it mean to be alive?

Winner of 7 Tony Awards, COMPANY is a witty, sophisticated and deeply honest look at contemporary relationships. Featuring some of Sondheim's best-known songs, including "Marry Me a Little," "The Ladies Who Lunch" and "Being Alive," COMPANY is considered a true masterpiece by one of the finest composers of our time.

Director Ian Galligan brings this 1970's Broadway classic up to speed for the 21st Century. He notes that the preface of the script indicates the time of the play as "now" - giving a sense of timelessness to the piece.

"Even though COMPANY was written in 1970, one of the show's major themes still is resonant today: the struggle of create and maintain relationships in a world that's becoming increasingly depersonalized." Galligan said. "Throw in today's trends - dating apps, social media - and it becomes even more difficult to make (and keep) connections. Reimagining this show for a contemporary setting has created so many incredible new layers, but the text remains exactly the same as it was almost fifty years ago."

The cast of COMPANY features Rob Girardin (Bobby), Susan Kulp (Joanne), Ryan Pipke (Larry), Jessica Bartolotta (Sarah), Nick Ciasullo (Harry), Jasmine Kehrhahn (Susan), Art Canova (Peter), Emma Czaplinski (Jenny), Jim Kane (David), Jennifer Del Sole (Amy), Ian Lynch-Passerelli (Paul), Dana Rudnansky (April), Katie Kirtland (Kathy) and Kathy Wade (Marta).

The creative team includes Michael Winslow (Music Director), Tessa Grunwald (Choreographer), Oliver Kochol (Assistant Director/Stage Manager) and Dusty Radar (Lighting Designer).

COMPANY runs for three weeks only - July 27-August 11 (Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm, with a special Thursday performance on August 2 at 7:30pm) at The Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse, 59 West Main Street, Meriden, CT. Presented Cabaret Style with table seating, patrons are invited to bring their own dinner, drinks and snacks to enjoy!

Tickets are $25 for Adults and $20 for Seniors (65+). Seating is extremely limited - so patrons are encouraged to buy in advance! Tickets may be purchased online at www.CastleCraig.org or over the phone by calling toll-free 1-800-838-3006.

COMPANY is sponsored by Thompson Chocolates.