'Phantom' cast to perform Sondheim's 'Company' concert to benefit Denver Actors Fund

Cast members from ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ as characters from Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Company.’ Photo courtesy Max Quinlan.

One-night only event Monday, November 11, at Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Denver

Cast members of the spectacular new production of The Phantom of the Opera will present a one-night-only concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical Company to benefit both The Denver Actors Fund and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on Monday, November 11, at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Denver.

The evening also will include auction items from The Phantom of the Opera for purchase, with all proceeds going to the two designated non-profits dedicated to improving the lives of actors in medical need.

This concert version of Company has been developed by The Phantom of the Opera Resident Director Max Quinlan, he says, “because doing a side project like Company fuels our artistic souls.

“Exercising different muscles and being challenged in new artistic ways is a gift when doing a long-running show,” he added. “I decided to put together this benefit production to allow our incredible cast members to work on new material that is perfectly suited to their talents, and allow myself to direct a show I have always loved, with people I love.”

Order your tickets to the Company concert here

Stephen Sondheim’s seminal 1970 musical is a series of vignettes that tell the story of a New York bachelor named Bobby who learns about the perils and pleasures of love, marriage, dating and divorce from his married friends. The score includes the beloved songs “‎Being Alive,” “Getting Married Today” and “‎The Ladies Who Lunch.” The original production, directed by Harold Prince, was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical. Next year, a new interpretation of the show will bow in New York with a female “Bobbie.”

It’s worth noting that the Phantom cast members, who are on tour performing a difficult show eight times a week and traveling frequently, will be performing this benefit concert of Company on their only scheduled day off during the November 6-17 run of Phantom in Denver. Quinlan says they do so gladly.

“The Phantom of the Opera is extremely challenging and demanding given the scale of the show and the rigorous touring schedule, and provides us with new, inspired creative energy to put back into Phantom.”

And the causes this show will support are dear to all artists’ hearts, he said. In six years, The Denver Actors Fund has distributed more than $405,000 to help Colorado theatre artists with medical bills, medical supplies and more. In addition, a team of 75 volunteers have donated more than 500 hours of practical service to artists in need, including meal preparation and delivery, transportation, child care, pet-sitting, snow-shoveling, personal company and more. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supports individuals affected by critical health issues, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS.

Cameron Mackintosh on the bathtub birth of The Phantom of the Opera

“The Denver Actors Fund is an organization that has done incredible things for our community in Colorado,” Quinlan said. “The acting community is very strong, connected and supportive of one another. Having strong organizations out there such as The DAF is both incredibly lucky and necessary for us. It is our honor to help raise money that will go directly back into serving our greater community.”

The idea to include the Denver Actors Fund as a beneficiary in the concert presentation of Company in Denver started with a suggestion from Max Peterson, the Phantom tour’s assistant audio engineer. Peterson attended Metropolitan State University, served in a variety of backstage capacities with the DCPA Theatre Company and many others around the metro area, and eventually was named Head of Audio at the Buell Theatre and Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

“The Denver Actors Fund has helped dozens of my friends and colleagues get the help they need at the worst times of their lives,” Peterson said.

Quinlan says fans of Company, The Phantom of the Opera and musical theatre in general are in for a treat when they get to see these performers in a very different, intimate performance setting.

“Company is a fantastic ensemble piece,” Quinlan said. “Each character has wonderful, individual moments when they are featured throughout the show. Nearly every cast member in Company is an ensemble member of The Phantom of the Opera, giving them the opportunity to shine in brand new ways. This benefit will make audience members appreciate much further the level of talent we have in our incredible touring cast.”

And he hopes anyone who sees the benefit at The Hard Rock Cafe rounds out their experience with a visit to the Buell Theatre to see The Phantom of The Opera while it is in Denver.

“Our spectacular new touring production of The Phantom of the Opera is an event,” Quinlan said. “It is unlike any other theatrical experience offered to local audiences. From our incredible sets to our stunning costumes, thrilling special effects, iconic music, timeless story and fantastic cast, this production of Phantom has something for everyone. Whether you’ve seen the show hundreds of times or if you have yet to be introduced to it, our telling of this story is not to be missed.”

One-night only concert production of Company: Ticket information

When: Monday, November 11
Time: Doors open at 6 p.m., curtain time is 7 p.m.
Where: The Hard Rock Cafe Denver, 500 16th St. (at the corner of Glenarm Street and the 16th Street Mall)
Admission: $30 suggested donation
Tickets: Reserve your seats at hardrockcafe/denver. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door of The Hard Rock Cafe starting at 6 p.m. on the night of the event
Note: This event is for ages 18 and older
For more information on the Hard Rock Cafe, go to hardrockcafe.com

Online bonus: Who is your favorite Company character?

Siri Howard

We asked the actors to name their favorite character in ‘Company’ – we’ll add more answers as they arrive:

“My name is Siri Howard, and I’m playing Amy in Company, and I’m a swing in Phantom. This is a tough one, because every single person in this show is written so beautifully, and it’s easy to connect with every character. I love Harry in particular, because, like everyone else in the story, he has a fantastic scene. Harry is so open and unapologetic about his flaws. He embraces what it is to be middle-aged, married, imperfect … and happy. Also, “Sorry, Grateful” is such a touching song, and David Foley, who plays Harry, does such a beautiful job at bringing it to life.”

The Phantom of the Opera: Ticket information

Cameron Macintosh’s spectacular new production returns to Denver as part of its North American Tour. Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is “bigger and better than ever before” and features a brilliant new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award®-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award®-winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and new staging by director Laurence Connor. The production, overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh, boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score – with songs like “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask Of You,” and “Masquerade” – will be performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this Phantom one of the largest productions now on tour.

Producer: Cameron Mackintosh
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe; adapted from the novel by Gaston Leroux
Directed by: Laurence Connor
When: November 6-17
Where: Buell Theatre
Accessible Performance: Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: Available by calling 303-893-4100, in person in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex at 14^th and Curtis streets or, online by clicking here:
BUY TICKETS
To learn more about the tour, visit The Phantom of Opera official web site