Britney Coleman is in good ‘Company’
Britney Coleman portrays Bobbie in the North American Tour of COMPANY. Photo by Laura Irion.
Britney Coleman’s foray in theater was a 45-minute version of a musical when she was in the third grade. She was picked out for the role of Mary in “The Secret Garden.” She was glad it was a requirement, because she was shy growing up. She realized that she loved it and continued to do school shows.
Coleman pursued a musical theater major at the University of Michigan. Then, she went out to New York City and got an agent. Now, the Ann Arbor native is portraying Bobbie in the North American Tour of “Company.” The show began its run on Oct. 31st and will be at the Cadillac Palace Theatre until Nov. 12th.
“Company” is the Stephen Sondheim comedic musical, which centers on the main character Bobbie. In Marianne Elliott’s version of the musical Bobbie is a bachelorette.
Coleman saw “Company” for the first time in London, while she was on vacation. She thought it was really interesting. When an audition for one of the roles was up on Broadway, she auditioned because she really wanted to be a part of the show. She auditioned for the role of Susan, then she was offered a role where she learned the role of Bobbie, Jenny and Sarah.
Coleman closely identified with Bobbie, who in the play is turning 35 and single, and her friends are wondering why she isn’t partnered yet.
“I’ve done another Sondheim show called ‘Into the Woods’ many times, so I’m really familiar with how his material works, in terms of the amount of words that are spoken. It’s a very wordy, intellectual type of writing style. I just kind of embraced my previous experience with it, and tried to enjoy it,” she said.
Coleman’s favorite song from “Company” is “Somone in Waiting,” because it is the first time there is an alone moment with Bobbie. Most of the musical, Bobbie is surrounded by her friends, in what Coleman described as a claustrophobic way. The song is the first time to be alone with Bobbie and she dives into conflicting thoughts and ideas, and is able to explore what her life could be like, what kind of person she wants to be with.
Coleman hopes that people leave the show with a lot to talk about. She believes the show is provocative because it doesn’t spoon feed the audience on how to feel. A lot of the ideas in the show leave and end with questions.
“It’s kind of up to the audience to interpret, especially the end of the show, what she wishes for,” she said, adding that she hopes the audience can laugh their way through the musical because it is one of Sondheim’s funnier shows.
Coleman wants to bring the audience along on the journey. She hopes people are able to have really deep conversations with the people in their lives about their relationships and their ideas about marriage.
Coleman wants the audience to sit back and enjoy the Alice in Wonderland vibe of the show. It is not a conventional musical, but a lot of fun.
Individual tickets cost $27.00 - $98.00. To purchase tickets, visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.
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