It’s not uncommon to experience mixed feelings on your birthday. What should be a joyous occasion is often marked by dread about the passage of time and the pressure of new responsibilities. On Saturday, Feb. 28, while sitting in a packed Hamilton Murray Theater, I was overcome by this familiar whirlwind of emotions. Although it was not my birthday, the joint Princeton University Players –Theatre Intime production of “Company” masterfully projects both anxiety and joy through a bittersweet birthday celebration. This iteration is made special by the cast’s electrifying chemistry, as seen in every song, dance, and simple conversation.
“Company,” written by George Furth with music by Stephen Sondheim, is a concept musical, meaning it focuses more on themes than a traditional plot structure. The series of vignettes that makes up “Company” explores modern love, marriage, and loneliness.
The musical centers on Bobby, a charming bachelor living in New York. We see Bobby’s growth through the songs and interactions with other characters. On his 35th birthday, a group of his closest friends, composed of five married couples, throw him a surprise party. When Bobby intentionally fails to blow out the candles on his cake, he reassures the party that he wishes for nothing, content with his current friendships and single life. This scene becomes a motif in the musical, giving Bobby multiple opportunities to metaphorically extinguish the candles by grappling with his fear of intimacy.
As the musical progresses, the audience is transported through a collection of Bobby’s interactions with the couples over the years. Although the show can feel disjointed at times given its nonlinear structure, Bobby’s character development and his conversations with his friends serve as throughlines that link each vignette. The cast’s chemistry helps flesh out the relationships central to the story and connect scattered scenes. Each couple conveys a new complex facet of marriage, ranging from commitment and sacrifices to infidelity and divorce.
One example is the male ensemble’s solemn and sweet rendition of “Sorry-Grateful,” in which the five married men both mourn the loss of their independence and appreciate the companionship they share with their wives. These conversations challenge Bobby’s preconceived notions about marriage, opening his eyes to the uncertainty of vulnerability. Interspersed with snapshots from Bobby’s own love life and the three women he is currently dating, each moment showcases his inability to fully settle down.
Each vignette highlighted the cast’s incredible musical talent, one of the most remarkable parts of the show. With her portrayal of Amy, one of the married friends, Rose Campbell ’29 delivered my favorite performance of “Company.” Her shining moment takes place on the day of her wedding, when Amy voices all her worries about marrying Paul, her long-time boyfriend. Campbell nailed every lyric of the notoriously fast-paced number “Getting Married Today” while still capturing all the emotions of a runaway bride. For reference, one line of this song requires the actress to sing 68 words in roughly 11 seconds.
Furthermore, Khadija Ndiaye ’28, who stars as one of Bobby’s girlfriends, Marta, showed off her incredible vocal chops in “Another Hundred People,” a song underscoring how lonely New York City can be despite its bustling crowds. After expertly belting out the final notes of this poignant number, Ndiaye received a spirited round of applause.
Beyond the talented musical performances from its cast, the choreography in “Side by Side by Side/What Would We Do Without You?” was by far the most electrifying part of the show. Choreographed by the director, Adam Bathurst ’27, this piece started the second act of the show with a bang, its dazzling kickline and the cast’s frantic reaching towards Robert emphasizing both the connections within the group and Bobby’s position as the odd man out.
Finally, this review would be incomplete without acknowledging the stellar performance of leading man Radon Belarmino ’26 as Bobby, especially during the penultimate number, “Being Alive.” Serving as Bobby’s commitment to embrace the hardships of love and find intimacy, Belarmino’s impassioned gestures, emotional vocals, and heartfelt energy make this song unforgettable. Belarmino renders Bobby easy to root for and relate to, with his character’s infectious charisma and remarkable sincerity shining through in each of the core friendships.
Although each individual performance was riveting, the chemistry shared between its cast made this production truly memorable. Just like marriage, the conversations between characters are full of highs and lows. The seamless portrayal of these emotionally rich relationships made each vignette stand out, making this iteration of “Company” deeply impactful.
Mia Mazzeo is a contributing writer for The Prospect and is a member of the Class of 2029. She can be reached at mm4755[at]princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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