Musicals are often berated for having thin-as-air plots saved only by mesmerizing music and dance. Well, Company, a daring musical experiment of Stephen Sondheim, can barely even be said to have a coherent storyline.

But the sheer innovation of stringing comedy skits together with some of the most sophisticated lyrics (even when paired with occasionally less than melodious singing) earned it a then unprecedented 14 Tony Award nominations when it first played 41 years ago.

4 decades later, and now set in Singapore, the protagonist Robert (Peter Ong), or Bobby, feels very relatable. The commitment-phobe celebrates his 35th birthday separately with his friends, coincidentally 5 couples and 3 women he’s dating simultaneously.

Over the various vignettes (which makes you feel like you’re watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, or Seinfeld musical-style) Robert explore issues in modern relationships.

He sees his married friends squabble and listens to their crazy reasons for loving their other halves, including how they’re “Sorry-Grateful” for being wed. And then the guys, jealous of his sexual freedom, sing to him, “Whaddya like? You like coming home to a kiss? Somebody with a smile at the door? Whaddya like? You like indescribable bliss? Then whaddya wanna get married for?” You can’t really blame the guy for not wishing marital bliss for himself, even when they keep trying so hard to set him up on dates, singing “Have I got a Girl for you”.

Indeed, the best reasons for catching Company are the gems that Sondheim has created. Check out “Getting Married Today”, by Amy (Petrina Kow), which is a bullet train rendition of a bride-to-be having cold feet just before the altar. It’s enough to have you rolling in your seat to hear: “I want to thank you all for coming to the wedding, I’d appreciate your going even more, I mean you must have lots of better things to do, and not a word of this to Paul, remember Paul, you know, the man I’m gonna marry, but I’m not, because I wouldn’t ruin anyone as wonderful as he is”. Petrina was more than capable of pulling off the self-destructing, hysterical role in the middle of a pre-wedding funk. After hearing her on radio for years, finally seeing her on stage was more than satisfactory.

Staged in Singapore for the first time, Company is directed by the talented and comical Hossan Leong. A witty incorporation of singlish to the New-York based comedy, made the production more relatable to Singaporeans. Staging this timeless piece of theatrical work now was indeed timely and awfully relevant in our modern community. Choreographed by stage veteran George Chan and starring professionals Karen Tan, Tan Kheng Hua, Petrina Kow and opera-trained protagonist Peter Ong, you can be rest assured that the Sondheim’s work of art is not put to shame.

Tan Kheng Hua, the cynical and sarcastic Joanne, outdid herself by exuding magnetic stage presence when she sang “The Ladies Who Lunch” with her voguish charm. It’s tough taking on something performed by the legendary Barbra Streisand herself, but she delivered the tai-tai mocking number with biting half-drunk wit.

Every member of the cast is a triple threat entertainer on their own but the 14-strong cast manage to express and deliver far beyond expectations. Glory Ngim, Mina Kaye and Seong Hui Xian who play Bobby’s 3 girlfriends sang, danced and acted harmoniously in “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” Andrew Sisters-style, mocking Bobby for his lack of enthusiasm towards commitment. These 3 are definitely worth keeping an eye out for in Singapore’s theatre scene.

The Broadway-revived set consisted of a flight or stairs, a living room and a balcony on the 2nd storey. Backed with tall glass panels supporting the high ceiling and a grand piano snug in the corner of the stage, props (pun intended) to Eucien Chia for designing the cherry on top to this Broadway production.

Lest you fear yourself slipping into cynicism about romance and marriage, take comfort in Paul’s words to his reluctant bride: “Married people are no more marriage than musicians are music. Just because some of the people might be wrong doesn’t matter, it is still right.”

Company is on at the Drama Centre Theatre till Nov 17 (extended due to popular demand!). Tickets are available from $57 (excl. booking fee) at SISTIC.