What do you get from marriages and all that? (JCC CenterStage)
- stagedoorlouisville
- Nov 7, 2025
- 3 min read
Company
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Director Erin Silliman
Review by Kate Barry
Entire contents are copyright @2025 by Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
It’s Bobby’s birthday. He is turning 35 years old. And he has never married. Why is he alone? Does he want to get married? Is that the life for him? JCC CenterStage production of Company is a groovy version of Stephen Sondheim’s nonlinear musical comedy. The vocals are strong and the orchestra maintains a strong grasp on the complicated and meticulous score for this albeit dated musical. Still, this Company remains fresh.
In case you have are not familiar with this show, Company is quintessential Sondheim. The score contains belting, dizzyingly fast tempos, and heartbreakingly honest lyrics. It is no wonder the show has been revived on Broadway several times, one with a gender blind cast. As Bobby contemplates “love and marriages and all that,” his story takes a different form in this time of dating apps and hetero-non-conformity. Arguably romantic relationships are completely different than what Bobby was looking for in 1970. Company’s message of getting married by your 30’s or you will not be happy is simply unheard of nowadays.
That being said as the bachelor, Bobby, Teddy Stevens brings a performance that feels contemporary and modern while paying much respect to the original work. Steven’s Bobby is lighthearted and present as he cycles through each of his married friend’s lives. With humor and the right amount of light-heartedness, Steven’s plays Bobby as equal parts trustworthy companion and highly respected third wheel. His lead vocal in the opening “Company” number is bright with a stark contrast by the end of the show with “Being Alive.” Stevens does well to bare the emotional weight of this gripping solo that he crescendo with introspection and revelations beautifully.
Bobby embarks on different scenarios of married life, from the actual wedding day to a divorce. Additionally, the ensemble of married couples blend their voices with lovely harmonies throughout the choruses of “Bobby” repeated in the show. “Side by Side by Side” proves itself to be a showstopper. This number shows up as a celebration of friendship and comradery amongst married couples while Bobby continuously finds himself out of step.
As Sarah and Harry, Jake Minton and Jenny Dunne are an adorable match as they try out their karate moves on each other. Minton has a very touching variation of “Sorry-Grateful” as well. Taylor Dant and Ann-Morgan Heath’s Susan and Peter prove that you can still have great chemistry after divorce. Jennifer Poliskie’s Jenny lends her soaring soprano to “Getting Married today” while Natalie Minton impressively maneuvers one of Broadway’s fastest lyrics per second without even breaking a sweat. Julie McGuffey channels the likes of Lupone and Stritch for her performance of Joanne. Draped in a mink stole and slinging cocktails, McGuffey is a brash diva with a well-timed “The Little Things you do together” and “The ladies who lunch.”
Bobby explores his dating options with three potential mates. Mary Kate Vanegas, Haylie Rebilas and Karly Jones bring strong and distinct performance as Bobby’s potential love interests. Vanegas’ Marta is a free spirit in love with New York who captures Bobby’s attention. Her rendition of “Another hundred people” is palpable with excitement. Rebilas’ Kathy brings Bobby a sort of heartbreak as she informs him that she will be returning to her home in Cape Cod. And Karly Jones’s April shares a night of passion with Bobby followed by awkward lingering and misreading with “Barcelona.” Vanegas, Rebilas and Jones in “You could drive a person crazy” bring out a fun dizzying ditty representing the grievances of dating.
By the end of Company, Bobby does not find love. You can interpret the conclusion however you want. But the overall message remains true. The people in your life and, dare I say the Company you keep, are what matter most. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
Company CenterStage at the Trager Family JCC
November 6-16 2025
3600 Dutchman's Lane
Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 238-2729
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