the mommy avenger

Last night found us back in Denver for the opening night performance of Company at the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Always a treat to go see a show there, we had no idea what we were in for, but excited, nonetheless.

We always know that when we go to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, we are seeing the best of the best entertainment to come to Colorado.

Company is not a show that I’ve had on my radar, so I was unfamiliar with it. Some of the best Broadway shows are like that sometimes, though!

PHONE RINGS, DOOR CHIMES, IN COMES COMPANY. It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday party, and all her friends keep asking, why isn’t she married? Why can’t she find the right man and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family? As Bobbie searches for answers, she discovers why being single, being married, and being alive in the 21st-century could drive a person crazy. Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Company features Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning songs “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “Side by Side by Side” and the iconic “Being Alive.”  Let’s all drink to that.

Company is unlike other shows we have seen. Set in New York City, Bobbie, a bachelorette, interacts with all of her friends that are couples or married in a series of vignettes that has her contemplating her place in life and how she wants to continue living it after seeing first-hand what those relationships are like all around her. After delving into the nuances of their daily lives, some realizations are made and we come to learn that all is not always as it appears on the surface. Will Bobbie decide to settle down in a more traditional role or discover something different altogether?

One thing I really enjoyed about this particular production were the vignettes. Getting to look into the different worlds of her friends was fascinating, especially with the way the stage was arranged. Lighting and sets allowed us to compartmentalize each interaction with friends and transport us from different places and times, seamlessly. It allowed us to feel as if we were in the literal rooms with her as she learned more about each relationship and collected their wisdom and life lessons along the way.

Strong and dynamic personalities are all connected to Bobbie and the audience could not get enough of them. The cast cumulatively have so much talent and Broadway experience that the audience was moved to tears frequently through the night–tears from uproarious laughter–which was heard within the walls of the theater throughout the duration of the show! Clearly, the storyline hit a chord with audience members who found it to be highly relatable and enjoyable. Word of warning, though, there are some strong adult themes, scenarios and drug use in the story that would not be appropriate for younger audiences.

This National Tour is delighting audiences as it makes its way through the country and Denver was no exception. Sondheim fans will recognize signature sounds right away and all throughout the production. If you are a big fan of Sondheim, you will not be disappointed.

Company is playing for Denver audiences for a limited run now through June 2, 2024. You can learn more about the show, purchase tickets, and put other amazing productions on your calendar that are slated for the rest of the year by visiting them online. Note that Denvercenter.org is the only official ticketing source for these Denver engagements.

There are so many wonderful productions making their way to Denver, such as Disney’s Frozen, Wicked, Hamilton and Back to the Future! We can’t wait to come back!

When opting for a night on the town in Denver, such as enjoying a night at the theater, we love to drop by Dazzle either before or after a show for an extension of quality entertainment. We made a stop after the show last night and we are so glad we did. We were treated to delicious tidbits of both taste and sound while we were there. We were entranced by the live music and “dazzled” by their talents, as they performed one of our requests live and unrehearsed. It was absolutely wonderful! Be sure to weave Dazzle into your plans while nearby, it is a wonderful venue with a mission of melding community and culture with intimate music and art experiences. They strive to bring audiences the best Jazz and improvised music from around the world. Founded in January of 1997 by some jazz lovers, Dazzle’s core principle still remains putting great music on stage. Dazzle reflects the beautiful diversity that Colorado offers, and that lies within the roots of jazz. We highly recommend them!

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}