NORFOLK, Neb. – Around the stage, Libby McKay knows that trying to keep things “business as usual” is hardly ever usual.
The director of the Northeast/Norfolk Community Theater’s next production, “Company,” took it all in stride recently when during a rehearsal she learned that one of the actors wasn’t going to be able to make it that night. Not a biggie, as someone read her lines and the rehearsal went on.
As this transpired, actors were asking questions and technicians were working out sound and light. It looks like a lot of work to an outsider, but it also was apparent that all the performers and those helping to make the production possible – including Northeast Community College students, staff and faculty – have a passion for it.
And so, it goes. When the actual rehearsal finally began, the distractions ceased, and all attention was focused on the stage.
McKay, a veteran director, didn’t seem flustered. In fact, her laughter appeared to offer encouragement for the actors of the Stephen Sondheim musical comedy as they rehearsed their lines.
Performances of “Company” will be Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 3-5, and Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 10-12, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13, at 1:30 p.m. All performances are at the Cox Activity Center Theater.
“I always joke that Week 3 of rehearsals is the week where we are, ‘Oh my gosh, what are we doing? We aren’t making any progress. Nothing is happening.’ And then you get into tech week and dress week, and you go, ‘Oh no, we have a show,’ ” McKay said, with a laugh.
The play centers on Robert, a man who is turning 35. All his friends are married. It features a look at his search for love and marriage. McKay said the audience will enjoy “great music and fun numbers.”
“We get to see him (Robert) ponder (relationships) as he looks at these other couples,” McKay said. “The fun thing about the couples is that they are all in various stages of a relationship, so you see the couple that is engaged, the couple that is married, the couple that has been married forever.”
The audience gets to see the give and take of a relationship and the compromises and, how for some people, marriage is not for them.
McKay often directs musicals, so Company fits with her experiences. Last year she directed “A Gentleman’s Guide to Murder” and prior to that, she did “Anything Goes.”
McKay said she appreciates the efforts of the cast, which is up for the challenge of a Sondheim production. About one third of the cast is Northeast students.
The partnership between Northeast and the Norfolk Community Theatre helps to make the performances better. This is the 60th anniversary of productions. Northeast faculty, staff and students are admitted free.
“We are excited to kick off another year,” McKay said.
‘Company’ rehearsal
Dustyn Loeffler of Norfolk (front) plays Robert, a character who is turning 35 in the musical comedy, “Company,” which will open on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Cox Activities Center Theater. (Northeast Community College)
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