"Company," the 1970 musical comedy (book by George Furth, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim) which opened May 29 and continues weekends through June 21, marks the return of Doylestown native Justin Guarini to the stage of Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope.

Guarini made his Bucks County Playhouse stage debut in the 2012 production of "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" and returned to the legendary playhouse stage to kick off the 2014 winter concert series with "Justin Guarini: Lovesick," his ode to romance.

Guarini became a household name as runner-up to Kelly Clarkson during the first season of Fox TV's "American Idol."

Although many associate Guarini with "Idol," he is no newcomer to the stage and was in theater productions during his high school and college years.

"I grew up kind of learning how to do a little bit of everything," Guarini says during a phone interview.

While Guarini still records and composes songs, his career emphasis has increasingly shifted toward the theater.

He has graced the Broadway stage in productions of "Women On the Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown" (2010 - 2011), "American Idiot" (2011), "Romeo And Juliet" (2013) and "Wicked" (2014).

"I have found a wonderful home in the Broadway community and in theater in general. I've been all over the country to do wonderful theater productions, and it's always a treat to come and do something at home here like I am doing at Bucks County.

"For me, right now I'm completely focused on theater and different facets of theater, not only the performance side," he says. "I've gotten into producing musicals, as well, and producing different events in and around New York."

Guarini is co-producing and is hosting the "Tony's In Times Square" simulcast June 7, a live broadcast of the Tony awards to be seen on the large electronic billboards in New York's Times Square.

"When the Tony's go to commercial break, we will perform," he explains. "I'll perform. My co-host Deborah Cox will perform. And we have different Broadway shows [performers] come and perform. We really create a wonderful celebration of the Tonys and Broadway in Times Square.

"Even in the main umbrella of theater, I like wearing a lot of hats there and I'm just proud to have a home here."

He laughs when asked if he will author a play down the line. "No. My wife is the writer. No way. I can write a speech but I would never deign to write a play. That's not my gift. My wife [Reina Capodici] is a wonderful writer. I would hand that over to her."

Shortly after this interview concluded, it was reported that the 15th season of "American Idol" will be its final.

Reached for comment, Guarini had this to say about the cancellation and impact of the long-running show, "Idol' provided many new performers with an opportunity to be heard. Like ['American] Bandstand,' it will hold a pop culture nostalgia for America long after the studio is dark. I couldn't be more proud to have been part of that."

Guarini is excited to bring the lead role of Bobby in "Company" on the Bucks stage.

"'Company' is such a beautiful piece because wherever you are and at whatever point you are in your life and in your relationships, there's something for you in this show.

"If you are committed to being single, if you are in a committed relationship, if you're thinking about getting divorced or if you are divorced, there are so many wonderful things in this show about what you gain versus what you give up to have love and to have a relationship and to truly have someone there to keep you company. I hope people come out and enjoy it.

"When you come out you are really supporting a wonderful home-grown organization [Bucks County Playhouse]. It's nice to be back."