Face the music
‘The Music Man’ comes to Newport
By Barbara B. Covell
For the TODAY
Watch out, River City, trouble is coming.
Luckily, you will be safe in Newport where Coastal Act Productions is performing “The Music Man,” opening this Friday, Feb. 23.
This popular musical tells the story of Harold Hill, a fast-talking traveling salesman who plans one of his greatest cons by convincing the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize. But Hill doesn’t actually know how to play. Instead he spouts “the think system” to master an instrument. Hill plans to skip town with the cash, then gets foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, the only person who actually knows music.
This is a classic story that includes a bit of everything. Love, romance, myriad songs, humor, huskers and conmen — it’s a classic timeless script. After a debut in 1957 and countless stage revivals, the play was made into a full-length film and television movie.
“This will be a very popular show,” Director Jody Hanna said. “Both the principal actors and youth cast comprise a total of 60 actors, ranging from eight years old to adults in their 70s. We picked “‘The Music Man’ because it is an American institution that resonates with all ages.”
Playwright, lyricist and music composer Meredith Willson is the genius behind this nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads, including “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Trouble,” “‘Til There Was You,” “Pickalittle” and “Gary, Indiana.” Frequently produced by both professional and amateur theater companies, the play is a popular choice for high school and college. It is family entertainment at its best.
Leslie Brown, publicity coordinator for Coastal Act Productions, said the musical score includes a live orchestra with 18 members led by Howard Lackey.
The show’s debut garnered five Grammy Awards, including Best Musical. The cast album won the first Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Returning to the Coastal Act Productions stage as Hill is Cameron Garner, who also portrayed the beast in “Beauty and the Beast,” the scarecrow in “Wizard of Oz” and the lead role in “Tarzan.” Garner does an excellent job working through all of Hill’s tongue twisting lyrics.
Kristine Rogers portrays Marian the librarian and captivates the audience with her vocal range. Rogers was Dorothy in last year’s “Wizard of Oz.” Both Garner and Rogers are promising actors for Lincoln County theater stages.
Annie Pusey portrays Mrs. Paroo, Marian’s mother. Lucy Furuheim is the precocious Amaryllis, and Nico Rogers is the stuttering Winthrop. All three of these lead characters will have audiences singing along with the classic familiar tunes. Also featured in leading roles are Jason Wilson, Brian Hanna, Matthew Rash, Sophie Cottrell, Jen Wrazen, Gary Herd, Sean Rash, Brett Balique, Jody Hanna, Rachel Newby, Zoey Carpenter, Asia Richardson, Ashley Garner and Guy Leach. They sing, dance, and march their way into the audience’s heart.
“There are many humorous moments in the show, including Marian distracting a salesman, Charlie Cowell, from exposing Hill's true identity as a fraud,” Brown said. “There is also a charming scene when Harold visits Marian in the library to try and get in her good graces.”
Coastal Act Productions does not require kids to audition.
“Anyone who wants to be in the show will be cast,” Hanna said. “Auditions are held for the lead roles.”
Whether in a lead role or portraying a character, these actors put their hearts and voices to make “The Music Man” an outstanding play for audiences of all ages.
Once the show opens, Jory Bowen takes over as stage manager and costuming is by Asia Richardson and Anna Hart. Set design comes to fruition under the lead of Gary Herd.
“The Music Man” opens this Friday, Feb. 23, and runs until Saturday, March 9. Tickets are $18 for adults or $16 students or seniors when purchased at the box office or by calling 541-265-ARTS. For more information go to www.coastalact.com.