"Company" at Seattle Musical Theatre

Gina Wilhelm Actress - "Company" at Seattle Musical Theatre

Stephen Sondheim's "Company" opened this weekend at Seattle Musical Theatre and is playing through February 28. I had the opportunity to see the show today, and I highly recommend it.

The play was groundbreaking when it premiered, telling a story in associated vignettes, rather than as a linear narrative.

The play tells the story of Robert, played by Ryan Demerick, on his 35th birthday. Robert's married friends are throwing him a birthday party. Throughout the play, Robert and his friends reflect on marriage.

The whole cast, made up of SMT veterans and a few strong newcomers, is very strong, handling the intricate rhythms and harmonies masterfully.

Standouts include Demerick, who has much of the weight of the show on his shoulders, and must make frequent rapid mood shifts throughout. His "Being Alive" was poignant.

Allison Standley, as Marta, has a strong voice on "Another Hundred People," extolling the virtues of Manhattan, before having a fun dialogue with Robert.

Kat Schroeder, last seen at SMT as Ulla in "The Producers," brilliantly portrayed frantic neurosis in her patter song "Getting Married Today."

Dawn Brazell gives a powerful performance as Joanne, a "difficult woman," who is brashy and strident. Her "The Ladies Who Lunch" was a revealing insight into the character.

Finally, Danielle Barnum, was played the title character in "Jane Eyre," was adorable as April. Her performance was all the more impressive for the contrast between the two characters.

April and Robert have the duet "Barcelona," which can be dull and pedantic, but here was charming.

The high point of the show for me was their scene together before that duet. The characters connected well with each other and the audience.

"Company" runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm. They also have a 7:30 performance on Thursday, February 25.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 206-363-2809. You can also visit the SMT website. Tickets range from $30-35 for adults and $25-30 for students and seniors.

The address for Magnuson Park is 7400 Sand Point Way NE. The theater is in building 47. Directions and maps are also on the SMT website.

The website also has a "study guide" for the play. Come find out why Sondheim called "Company" his favorite show he's written!

Gina Wilhelm Actress

Angela Lansbury, Good Actress With Sondheim

Gina Wilhelm Actress - Angela Lansbury, Good Actress With Sondheim

Angela Lansbury, who received her fifth Tony earlier this year, is set to receive Signature Theatre's Stephen Sondheim Award next spring.

After her first stage performance, in 1964's "Anyone Can Whistle," with a score by Stephen Sondheim, Sondheim himself called her performance "a gift to the musical theater."

"Anyone Can Whistle" only ran nine performances, but Lansbury was just getting started.

She's won Tonys for a revival of "Gypsy" and in the original production of "Sweeney Todd" and provided the voice of the Giant in the 2007 production of "Into the Woods" at Signature.

She is set to return to Broadway in December for a revival of Sondheim's "A Little Night Music" with Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Signature Theatre has produced 18 works related to Sondheim, which is the most of any U.S. regional theater. They inaugurated the award this year by giving it to its namesake.

The award is given to "individuals who have achieved success interpreting, supporting and collaborating on Sondheim’s music works."

Gina Wilhelm Actress