AUBURN, Ala.- On July 18, Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT) will open its 21st season with Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical, “Company.”

The performances will be held July 18, 19, 24 and 26 at 7 p.m., July 25 at 7:30 p.m., and July 20 and 27 with 2 p.m. matinees. Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for university students and seniors.

“Company” follows bachelor Bobby interacting with his married friends, who throw a party for his 35th birthday. Over the course of a series of dinners, drinks and even a wedding, his friends — "those good and crazy people [his] married friends" — explain the pros and cons of taking on a spouse. The habitually single Bobby is forced to question his adamant retention of bachelorhood during a hilarious array of interactions.

This musical, largely regarded as a trailblazer of the dark-comedy, modern-musical genre, is a sophisticated and honest look at modern adult relationships. It features a brilliantly brisk and energetic score containing many of Sondheim's best-known songs, but the strength of the piece lies in its vivid yet real characters - every audience member will see reflections of themselves in at least one of the characters onstage.

“When selecting a show for our summer musical, I knew it had to be Sondheim’s 'Company,'" said director Eli Grant. "It is about a man named Robert who is celebrating his 35th birthday with his friends, and what better time to do it than AACT hitting a milestone birthday of 20 years in our community! This show is nuanced and gives the audience the ability to ponder life’s heavy questions through humor, satire and song.”

The show is rated PG13 for depictions of adult situations. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit AuburnACT.org. Email info@auburnact.org for group rate information. To schedule press interviews, photos or press comps, or for more information please contact the stage manager Tyler Grant at ctylergrant7@gmail.com or 678-850-8399.

AACT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational and theatrical opportunities in the Auburn-Opelika area. To learn more about volunteering, auditions or other upcoming events, visit AuburnACT.org or follow AuburnACT on Facebook.