‘Company’ at Cabrillo Playhouse

OC Theatre Guild
1 day ago
4 min read

A newly raised roof sets the stage to examine isolation, commitment, and intimacy.

From Left, Front Row: Kathy Villanueva, Eric T. Anderson, Sophie Matossian and Katie Nicol. Middle Row: Jeff Tierney, Mackinzie Rummell, Elana Harnack, Ariana Nin, Robert Krattli, Marc Marger. Back Row: Will Minton and Juliet Fischer. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo Playhouse.

By Shannon Cudd

In a world where modern technology increasingly isolates, one brave community theater in San Clemente played the long game to fight back. In many ways, Cabrillo Playhouse’s upcoming production of “Company” has been years in the making. Artistic Director and Show Director Michael Lopez explained the exciting renovations that made this moment possible. “In 2023, we started to raise funds to raise the roof above the stage. It went down on an angle from front to back from 10 to 6 feet. If you were taller than 6 feet and you had to make an entrance from the back, you had to duck,” he explained. This gives a whole new meaning to the theater idiom: There are no small parts.

Cabrillo was up to the challenge of improving the situation. “We raised over $250,000 and started renovations in July of this year. It took five months,” Lopez continued. Beyond raising the roof, Cabrillo also lengthened the stage.

The improvements didn’t stop there. “We received a grant from the Samueli Foundation for technology and installed $35,000 worth of state-of-the-art lighting. We've been in this building since 1968 and now have ADA-compliant restrooms,” Lopez added.

From Left: Kathy Villanueva, Mackinzie Rummell, Elana Harnack, Eric T. Anderson, Juliet Fischer, Ariana Nin, Sophie Matossian and Katie Nicol. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo Playhouse.

“Company” marks the first production in the newly revamped space. Stephen Sondheim’s 1970 classic about marriage, relationships and intimacy is the perfect show to christen the newly raised roof. Lopez intends to honor the late, great composer “by doing the show as written. The themes and subject matter are timeless and ask the questions that we ask ourselves today,” he stated. He included the show in the season in part because all the roles are featured without an ensemble.

The renovations opened up a whole new world of creative choices. “The biggest risk is the set. This is the first time that we can use multiple platforms higher than 24 feet. It's a challenge for staging,” Lopez explained.

Visual storytelling is important to Cabrillo. “I'm hoping that the design will show a man who lives in a large apartment by himself with minimal decoration, who subconsciously is afraid to fill his life with something or someone,” Lopez mused. It asks the question: When does a dwelling become a home?

The show is not a linear story but a series of vignettes as the central character, Bobby, navigates the ups and downs of existence. The majority of his friends are married or in serious relationships while he remains single and ready to mingle. “This show is about somebody trying to figure out their future, their identity and what they want to do with their life. That is a question that I think every adult goes through,” Lopez mused. “Ultimately, this show is about Bobby's fear of being alone.”

He decided to take a classic view of the text and not follow the recent revival's gender-swapped lead. “I am a bit of a purist, so there are no huge changes in the show,” he explained.

He cannot say enough good things about the group of actors he has assembled to tell this story. “People will be blown away by the vocals in the show. The cast is killing it,” he gushed.

From Left: Jeff Tierney, Will Minton, Eric T. Anderson, Robert Krattli and Marc Marger. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo Playhouse.

One of his favorite moments in the show is the song “Sorry/Grateful.” It is the three husbands’ response to Bobby asking whether they were sorry they got married. Lopez believes that if the audience really listens, the number will make them think.

Lopez hopes audiences not only walk away impressed with the renovations but also with the gifted cast. “We have spent two years raising funds to renovate our theater, so I hope that they leave thinking that it was all worth it. And not just the physical changes, but the quality of the production and the high level of talent that this show has attracted,” he explained.He also aims to portray “that living a deeper, meaningful life is more rewarding than living life on the surface.” There is no need to isolate oneself, even with all the modern technology. Instead, you should go out to the theater.

This show is just the beginning. “2026 is a new chapter for the Cabrillo Playhouse and you should not miss this opening production of the new year,” Lopez concluded.