Excitement Mounts Over WS Rep's Next Show: COMPANY

Today (Feb. 1) marks the opening of the fourth Williams Street Repertory production of the season, and it's PERFECT for Valentine's Day!

WS Rep's next production Company has begun attracting the attention of national outlets like Playbill.com and Broadway World. The Stephen Sondheim tuner stars John Michael Coppola who you may know from Chicago’s Jersey Boys.

The show opens today at Raue Center and runs through February 16 (select dates and times).

Richard Kuranda (O’Neill, Signature, Epic Rep, Actors Studio) directs the musical as the company starts the new year. It has also expanded to include an original Bronze sculpture by internationally acclaimed artist Erik Blome.
 
The book is by George Furth, and music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim.

About John Michael Coppola

During his 17 year career, John Michael Coppola has had the good fortune of appearing on the stages of some of the top regional and Off Broadway theatres in the US. Among them: the Duke Theatre, the Promenade Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Goodspeed Opera House, Stages St. Louis and the Marriott Theatre.

Career highlights also include appearing on the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as sharing stages with Tony Award winners Patti LuPone and George Hearn.

Coppola's most notable success was his appearance in the Chicago and Las Vegas companies of the Tony Award winning musical, Jersey Boys, where he understudied and performed the role of Frankie Valli of The Four Seasons. From there he went on to perform with America's Hottest New Vocal Group, Under the Streetlamp, where he was a regular fill in for all four vocal parts for the group (although never at the same time).

John has also been seen on tour throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, including multiple productions of She Loves Me, 42nd Street, Flight of The Lawnchair Man, Hot Shoe Shuffle and Singin' in the Rain. Currently living in Chicago, along side his theater projects he also performs his solo concert throughout the region.

The Company Cast

Also joining the cast are: Matthias Austin (Peter), Sarah Breidenbach (Jenny), Chris Davis (David), Amy Ferraro (Sarah), Amanda Flahive (Amy), Frank Gaughan (Larry), Kate Hein (Marta), Mark R. Mahallak (Harry) and Dana Parker (April) are also cast in this production.

WS Rep is pleased to welcome newcomers Teresa Arnold (Kathy), J. Matthew Madigan (Paul), Mary K. Nigohosian (Joanne) and Miriam Naponelli (Susan).

Crew credits also include Phillip Denofrio (Props), T Paul Lowry (Scenic & Projection Design)  John Dwyer (Technical Manager/Sound Designer), Pat Henderson (Stage Manager), Rebecca Lowry (Designer), Mike Potts (Music Director), Steven Spera (Lighting Designer), Chesney Murphy (Choreographer) and Kate Wilford (General Manager/Understudy).

Tickets to the show are on sale now online via rauecenter.org, and through the Box Office at 26 N. Williams Street or by calling 815-356-9212.

You're not going to want to miss this. We hope you'll grab your sweetie and head to the theatre!

Raue Center