STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Is it best to fly solo? Or, to have company in one’s life via the time-honored sacrament of marriage?

That’s the question that Bobby, as his friends know him, faces at his 35th birthday party as they pressure him to take the plunge. He seems open in some ways, recognizing the basic human need for togetherness. But his friends’ arguments are not often convincing, given their dysfunctional relationships.

That’s the premise behind “Company,” a Stephen Sondheim musical that won a slew of Tony Awards, including Best Musical, when it opened on Broadway in 1970.

And The Spot is bringing the funny romantic comedy to the stage tonight through Saturday, Feb. 8, at the theater company’s stage in Ketchum’s light industrial district.

Thirteen actors bring the show to life in a fast-paced, well-choreographed production that highlights their talent in a variety of singing styles. Brett Moellenberg is the director; R.L.Rowsey, the musical director.

Tess Makena and Chris Carwithen play Bobby’s friends Harry and Sarah, who are fixated on his drinking and her dieting to the point of nit-picking. Travis Flynt and Hannah Nye play David and “square” Jenny, who confide to Bobby that marriage is more about “giving up and giving in” than enjoying a big adventure.

Andrew Alburger plays Larry, who is married to the cynical Joanne played by Sara Gorby, who has ended one marriage simply because she refused to move from New York to Chicago, even though she’d never laid eyes on the Windy City. Now, her current marriage seems to be something she tolerates rather than enjoys.

Jonathon Acorn and Rebecca Waycott play Peter and Susan, who you would never guess are divorced.

And Richard Lindenfelzer plays the patient groom, whose bride-to-be played by Yanna Lantz provides one of the most hilarious five moments of the musical with her zippy rapid-fire rendition of “Getting Married Today.”

The music is varied, ranging from operatic-style numbers voiced by Louisa Waycott and Hannah Nye to the iconic “Being Alive,” sang by Bobby himself—played by Jordan Friend.

Words and songs revolve in and out like a merry-go-round, adding to the complexity of the musical and played particularly well by Bobby’s girlfriends played by Megan Mahoney, Mattigan Monschke and Tess Makena in songs like “You Could Drive a Person Crazy.”

There are little truths in the lyrics of songs like “The Little Things You do Together”—“It’s the little things you do together, do together, do together …the hobbies you pursue together, savings you accrue together…concerts you enjoy together, neighbors you annoy together…”

“I think people like (or sometimes don't like) Sondheim because of his complexity,” said Director Brett Moellenberg. “He doesn't shy away from controversial themes, and he doesn't dumb down his music to make it more accessible. That said, this is an early Sondheim show and has a ton of smash hits in it that many people know. A lot of the songs are introspective and can exist on their own, outside of the context of the show, which make them stand the test of time.”

The story, Moellenberg said, is about needing to experience things on our own.

“So much of the time, Robert is listening to his friends about their experience with marriage. And, while we see him pursue relationships in the show, his encounters don't add up to what his friends are saying. When he finally comes to his big realization at the end, it is because he truly wants it, and that is powerful to me.”

Travis Flynt and Louisa Waycott grew up acting in local productions. Flynt headed to New York, where he is pursuing an acting career, and Waycott, is based in New York and Washington, D.C. where she has performed in 42 operas and 16 musicals in Italy, Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic and the United States, including eight seasons with Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center.

“I am thrilled to come back to the valley to make my debut with The Spot. I have been incredibly proud of the high-quality work that they have produced and, more importantly, the uplifting, inclusive, and supportive spirit that the company provides its actors and students,” said Waycott, who also has helped with St. Thomas Playhouse productions and the Sun Valley Music Festival since leaving.

“I have never performed in a Sondheim show,” she added. “Sondheim has to be one of my favorite composers, and it has been a goal of mine to be in as many of his shows as possible.”

Waycott was first introduced to “Company” while studying in New York city during high school.

“I then saw the touring show last year where most of the roles were gender swapped.  I loved the story and the evolution that all relationships have,” she said.

The script by George Furth has been updated since its debut 55 years ago.

“Ultimately, our show lives in a sort of mix of many decades,” said Moellenberg. “I didn't feel it important to set it in any specific era, so it is definitely a blend of generations. The show itself is a series of brief moments, rather than a standard narrative, so I think leaving the setting ambiguous works perfectly well. Different generations will see the piece in different ways.”

IF YOU GO….

“Company” kicks off with Producer’s Night for patrons at 7:30 p.m. tonight--Wednesday, Jan. 22--at The Spot on Lewis Street. Those who buy a $100 ticket will be named a show sponsor and treated to a pre-show party with hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

The play will continue to run at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, Jan 23-24, Jan. 30-31 and Feb. 6-7.

Saturday shows on Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 will start at 6 p.m. with a Saturday, Feb. 8, show starting at 3 p.m.

Sunday shows on Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 begin at 4 p.m.

The lone Tuesday show on Feb. 4 begins at 7:30 p.m.

And Wednesday shows on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $20 to $38, available at https://www.spotsunvalley.com/company.