OXFORD, Miss. – The cast of the concept musical “Company,”
in a University of Mississippi Theatre production opening
Oct. 17, doesn’t confine its rehearsals to the stage in
Fulton Chapel or even to a particular time.
Because of the complex musical material involved with the
show, it is not uncommon to find the cast of theatre arts
students huddle between classes at unexpected locations –
such as on a couch in Isom Hall – “singing through, just
trying to get our lines, our rhythms and things done,” said
Dana Colagiovanni, who will don a pink wedding dress to
play the role of Amy.
“Company” runs through Oct. 21 in Fulton Chapel with 8 p.m.
performances each day except Sunday’s 2 p.m. matinee.
Tickets, at $10.50 for general admission and $7 for UM
students with valid IDs, are available at the UM Box Office
in the Ole Miss Student Union or by calling 662-915-7411.
“The rehearsal process for Company’ is very different from
a typical show, and probably even a typical musical,
because Company’ is a Stephen Sondheim musical and
Sondheim is known for his extremely difficult rhythmic
patterns and chord patterns,” said Colagiovanni, a senior
theatre arts major from Plantation, Fla. “His music is
some of the hardest to sing in musical theatre, so the
opening number of Company’ is probably one of the most
difficult songs that I have sung in the past four or five
years, and I’ve done a lot of singing.”
The play follows the story of 35-year-old Robert, played by
junior theatre arts major Greg Flaherty, as he tries to
determine the underlying reasons behind his failed
relationships by observing his friends – five sets of
married couples. Flaherty, who has been involved with more
than 35 productions since he became interested in theatre
during high school, said the role of Robert, or “Bobby,”
is the most difficult he has been cast in so far.
“It’s definitely a challenge because the wording of the
pieces is so strange in some places and the tempos are
odd,” said Flaherty, a native of Macon, Ga. “You also have
to take those words and put them into meaning for Bobby.
When the two come together, it’s more than just a song, its
more than just Bobby’s emotions. It’s this really powerful
image that he creates.”
Rene Pulliam, associate professor of theatre arts and
director of “Company,” said she chose the musical based on
the skill level of the 14-member cast.
“We’re doing it because I have the singers who can do it,”
Pulliam said. “It is probably one of the strongest casts
all around because there is no chorus. Everyone is a lead.”
Both Colagiovanni, who plans to move to New York City after
graduation to pursue acting, and Flaherty, who hopes to
pursue a career in theatre or film, said the challenging
aspects of “Company” have been a positive feature of the
show, helping improve their acting and singing skills. The
content of the play itself is also different from a typical
musical, Flaherty said.
“It actually has a lot of substance to it that people can
grasp onto and take with them for later,” he said.
“Everyone always has that one relationship where they’re
like, I have no idea where I went wrong there. I had
something great going for me.’ It’s really just an
eye-opening show.”
For more information or assistance related to a disability,
call 662-915-5816. To learn more about the Department of
Theatre Arts, visit