More than 50 years after its groundbreaking Broadway debut, Stephen Sondheim’s Company remains one of the most insightful and sophisticated musicals ever written. First premiering in 1970 and sweeping the Tony Awards, Sondheim’s exploration of love, connection and commitment in the modern world continues to resonate with audiences, as seen in its acclaimed 2022 Broadway revival.
This June, the next generation of performers will bring Company to the stage in a vibrant new production by the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Directed by Sonya Suares, with choreography by Bernie Bernard and musical direction by Craig Dalton, the show features WAAPA’s 3rd Year Music Theatre students in a dynamic and contemporary staging.
Told through a series of witty, fast-paced vignettes, Company follows Bobby, a single New Yorker on the brink of his 35th birthday. Surrounded by five married couples who gather to throw him a surprise party, Bobby navigates the complexities of love, commitment and companionship in a world that insists on “coupling up.”
Featuring some of Sondheim’s most iconic songs, including The Ladies Who Lunch and Being Alive, the musical offers a timeless reflection on relationships — celebrating the joys, fears and contradictions of being alive and in love. Sondheim’s score remains one of the most admired in musical theatre history, blending sharp humour, emotional depth and unforgettable melodies.
Director Sonya Suares, founder and first Artistic Director of Australia’s acclaimed Sondheim repertory company Watch This, said working with WAAPA’s emerging performers on such a rich and layered work has been a rewarding experience.
“Company is a sharp and deeply moving examination of romance, connection and relationships — it’s laugh-out-loud funny, brilliantly cutting and deals squarely in paradox, which is something we humans tend to shy away from,” Suares said. “Working with third year Music Theatre students on something as meaty and masterful as one of Sondheim’s works is always a delight. This cast will delight audiences with the sheer joy and raw talent they bring to the stage.”
Performance Details
Venue: Studio Underground- State Theatre Centre
Dates: Saturday June 6, Monday June 8, Tuesday June 9, Wednesday June 10 & Thursday June 11 @ 7:30pm
Matinee: Saturday June 6 @ 2:00pm
Tickets: $60 Full | $55 Concession | $53 Friends
Bookings: https://bit.ly/3QBY1VB | Ph: (08) 6212 9292
