The Company Theatre in Norwell is gearing up for its next production, The Cottage, running October 10–26. At the helm is Michael Hammond, the Company’s Managing Director of Development and a longtime presence on its stage and behind the scenes. Hammond has played leading roles in productions like The Music Man and Ragtime—earning a nomination for Best Supporting Actor from the Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE), one of the region’s most respected theater award programs. He has also co-written award-winning original musicals and directed fan favorites such as Clue and The Bridges of Madison County. Now, he brings his talents to directing The Cottage, a witty British comedy with plenty of twists.
You’ve been connected to the Company Theatre since you were a teenager. How did it all start?
My best friend Paula was in a show here back when the Company was performing at Weymouth Junior High School. I went to see it, and the atmosphere was so positive that I wanted to be part of it. My first audition didn’t go well — I panicked and left — but I came back and got into Anything Goes as a tap-dancing sailor. From there, Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman kept encouraging me to try new things, from working at the summer camp to directing children’s shows. Over time, I got to act, direct, and even co-write shows like Paragon Park the Musical and Born to Do This, The Joan of Arc Rock Opera. I never imagined I’d build a career here, but it’s been a dream come true.
When did the Company Theatre become your full-time home?
During COVID, I was managing a cable TV station, and I remember telling Zoe that if there was a place for me here, even if it meant cleaning toilets, I’d take it. She was already thinking about how I might fit in. By the time I left my old job, there was an opportunity waiting, and I started at the Company Theatre within a week. It worked out perfectly.
How are shows chosen for the Company Theatre’s season?
a collaborative process. Ryan Barrow, our set designer, plays a big role because the schedule has to allow him to build everything. Zoe Bradford and Sally Ashton Forrest pick shows they’re passionate about, and we try to balance what excites us with what will appeal to our audience.
So how did The Cottage make its way onto the stage?
Ryan suggested it. The play had a splashy Broadway run, directed by Jason Alexander and starring Eric McCormack. Ryan was excited about building a full cottage on our stage, so of course I wanted to direct it. Thirty-five people auditioned, and I cast six, including four newcomers to the Company Theatre, which is always exciting.
For those who haven’t heard of it, what’s The Cottage about?
Without giving too much away, it’s about two people having an affair who get caught, only to discover their spouses are also having an affair with each other. It spirals from there. It’s a fast-paced British comedy full of surprises, with a fantastic cast that feeds off each other’s energy.
What’s the rehearsal process like for a show like this?
I give the actors a foundation of where to go and what to do, but a lot happens organically. Someone makes a mistake that turns out to be brilliant, and we keep it. Or the cast tries something new, and the room explodes with laughter. Every rehearsal builds on the last, and the show keeps getting funnier.
Describe opening night at the Company Theatre.
It’s electric. The lobby’s full of friends, family, and supporters. Actors get flowers in the dressing rooms, and the energy in the building is amazing. The audience teaches us a lot too—what they laugh at, when to pause, how to time things. Sometimes a line works one way but falls flat if you overdo it. Every audience is different, and that keeps it exciting.
Finally, what makes the Company Theatre stand out compared to other venues on the South Shore?
The team. The sets, costumes, and lighting are all at a Broadway level. With musicals, we always use live orchestras—never recorded tracks—which is rare outside of the city. The attention to detail is incredible, and I think it’s the closest thing to Broadway you can find on the South Shore.
The Cottage runs October 10–26 at The Company Theatre, Norwell. Tickets are available at companytheatre.com.