"Company" Interview with Nic Skaggs

    This weekend wraps up the ARTS production of the beloved musical Company - so before time runs out, here's one more interview with the cast!

   This time around, we hear from the incredibly talented Nic Skaggs, who plays the lead: 

Q: Tell us the basic story behind Company. 

Nic: The story is centered around Robert and his interactions with his friends and three VERY lovely ladies. At this particular time in Bobby's life he is searching for what marriage is (aren't we all?!) You get to see how his observations, encounters, and advice from his coupled friends play a role in his rationalization and realization of what love and marriage is.  

Q: Tell us about the character you play. 

        

Nic: Robert. Bobby. Bobbi bubi. Robbie. Sweetheart. Whatever you want to call me! He seems to answer to everything. And does so with a smile. It's an extremely pleasure to play this very intricate guy who is searching. 

Q: What's your favorite song in the show? 

Nic: With Sondheim as the composer/lyricist, can you just choose one?! I absolutely love the way we have staged "Marry Me A Little." Our director, Amy Carlson, has really put so much thought into every blocking and movement in the whole show, but in this song it just absolutely overtakes me. 

Q: Is the music challenging? 

Nic: It's Sondheim! Haha. Of course it is. If you ever meet someone who says they have perfected a Sondheim song within a month's time, turn to them and call them a liar. I could sing this music for years and still never fully discover every ounce of meat he has saturated it with. He's Sondheim. 

Q: Why did you want to be a part of this show? 

Nic: The role of Bobby has always been on the "Dream List." It's right up at the top with only two others. There's a part of me that got extremely excited when I heard that ARTS (my resident acting home) was going to tackle it. But there was also this gnawing at the back of my mind: "Can you pull this off?" I told myself that I had to take the challenge. The opportunity may never come again. So... in short. I did it for the challenge. I did it because as an actor we look for these roles that will stretch us and hopefully make an impact on someone who sees it. 

Q: What's your background in theater? 

  

Nic: I have been at ARTS for coming up on two years. In that time, I have played the Pirate King in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, a boyfriend in The Boyfriend and Balthazar in Much Ado About Nothing. 

Q: Performing in the Renaissance Ballroom puts you very close to the audience - does that make it easier or more difficult to perform?

Nic: With the show being in the ballroom, it creates a very intimate space. It almost feels like you are sitting in the living room, bedroom, club, or subway with the characters. It allows the audience to completely get sucked into the world. There's nothing quite like black box style theater. It's amazing. 

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Nic: Come see the show for a laugh. For great music. For introspection. Come and watch an amazing story told by an incredible cast. 

   Thanks, Nic!

   Arts Resources for the Tri-State presents the hit musical Company by Stephen Sondheim on March 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. at the ARTS Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington. Tickets are$15 for the show only, $30 for dinner and show. Call for dinner reservations at  304-733-2787 (but hurry - the dinners have been selling out).