‘The Music Man’ marches into MC’s Wells Theater April
6-9Release Date:
March 21, 2006
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| Mary O'Conner as Marian the librarian (left),
Jennifer Anderson as Mrs. Paroo (middle) and Chris Walljasper as
Professor Harold Hill rehearse a scene from "The Music Man," which
will be performed April 6-9 in Monmouth College's Wells Theater. The
curtain opens for the Thursday through Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.,
and there is a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. |
MONMOUTH, Ill. — One of the most popular musicals to come out of the
American theater scene in the last half century, Meredith Willson’s “The Music
Man” will march into the Monmouth College Wells Theater for four performances
April 6-9.
The curtain will open for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30
p.m., while the Sunday performance is a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets, which are $6
for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens and $4 for Monmouth College
students, may be reserved by contacting Bill Wallace at 309-457-2374 or
billw@monm.edu.
“The Music Man” debuted in 1957 with a story line and music that are as vibrant
and popular today as they were to audiences then. It is the story of con man
Harold Hill, played by junior Chris Walljasper of Donnellson, Iowa, who travels
to the small town of River City, Iowa, to earn his fortune. But “there’s trouble
in River City” as Hill, who even claims to be a professor of music, decides to
convince the townspeople they need a boys’ band and then plans to run away once
the boys have paid for instruments and uniforms.
His scheme is moving along perfectly until he falls in love with the town piano
teacher, Marian Paroo, played by junior Mary O’Connor of Joliet. Even though she
knows he’s a con man, she still loves him for the hope he has brought to the
town.
Hill runs into an old friend, Marcellus Washburn, played by sophomore Bryan
Blanks of Kewanee, who tries to persuade Hill these “stubborn Iowans” won’t be
fooled by the “Professor.” This, of course, piques Hill’s interest and he takes
up the challenge with gusto, explaining to the citizens of River City that they
have, “Trouble with a capital T that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool.”
River City’s Mayor Shinn, played by freshman Adam Overberg of Eldridge, Iowa, is
not convinced and he asks the local school board members (senior Adam Drake of
Rockford, freshman Eric Brandhorst of Quincy, senior David Danaher of Palos
Heights, and sophomore Matt Henning of Lombard) to “get this man’s credentials.”
But the smooth-talking Hill wins over the school board and many of the other
locals.
“The show is a delight for the entire family,” said stage director Bill Wallace,
professor of communication and theater arts. “Our cast of more than 40 actors,
singers and dancers captures the innocence of early 20th-century mid-America,
and generates energy, enthusiasm and talent.” The score features a 15-piece pit
orchestra under the baton of Stephen Richter, director of instrumental
activities.
Also featured in the production are Darren Jackson as Tommy Djilas, Max O’Riley
as Winthrop, Jennifer Anderson as Mrs. Paroo, Kiana Fowler as Amaryllis, Ellen
Ehrenhart as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, Michelle Anstett as Zaneeta Shinn, Sydney
Barry as Gracie Shinn, Sarah Braun as Alma Hix, Ellen Duffin as Maud Dunlop,
Dana Mojden as Ethel Toffelmeier and Paige Halpin as Mrs. Squires.
Rounding out the cast are dancers Rita Karsbaek, Lindsay Brogan, Lindsay
Jackson, Tiela Halpin, Sylvia Puckett, Adrienne Schultz, Sara Mendez and Whitney
Helfrich. Townspeople/chorus members include Kaleb Fowler, Gareth Cordery, Seth
Montgomery, Justin Havelock, Nick Mainz, Brett Montgomery, Kevin Litwin, Natalie
Montgomery, Karisa Fowler, Kelsey Graham, Lauren Swanson and Catherine Buerger.
The production of “The Music Man” at Monmouth College is produced through
special arrangement with Music Theatre International, Inc.
Released
by the Office of College Communications
Barry McNamara, Associate Director of College Communications
Phone: 309-457-2117
Fax: 309-457-2330
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