Book, Music & Lyrics by Meredith Willson
Story by Meredith Willson & Franklin Lacey
Directed by John Wilkerson
Co-Produced by The Hopeful Theatre Project & Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas
The Hopeful Theatre Project mounts each of its productions as a fundraiser for a charity. For The Music Man, Hopeful selected the Save the Music Foundation as its beneficiary. STM has donated nearly $70 million in instruments and technology to music education in schools over its 25 year history. This classic musical is a perfect match for STM’s mission.
Director John Wilkerson has assembled a talented cast and crew for this crowd pleaser. Special recognition is due to Choreographer Abigail Garcia and Lighting/Sound Designer Cassondra Plybon for working around performance venue issues. Mainstage 222’s performance space is outdoors in a neighborhood where traffic and construction noises often compete with the sound system. Fortunately, trains heard on nearby tracks seemed to coincide with the arrival of trains in River City. Garcia utilized every inch of the stage and more during big production numbers.
Abraham Prado stars as Harold Hill, the effervescent traveling salesman who marches into River City, Iowa and turns the city upside down. Lucy Almada is Librarian & Music Teacher Marian Paroo, who reluctantly opens her heart to Hill. Dawn Stone has delightful moments as Marian’s mother, trying to push her daughter out of spinsterhood. Winthrop Paroo, played impishly by Levi Hoyt, is Marian’s lisping younger brother. Hoyt apparently comes from a talented family. His older brother Logan somersaults across the stage as Townsperson, and his younger brother Luke Hoyt steals the spotlight several times. Victoria Gomez is the adorable Amaryllis pining after Winthrop. Fred Patterson and ChristaCarol Jones shine as Mayor Shinn and his wife, Eulalie.
The best-known musical numbers from this show are probably Hill’s “You’ve Got Trouble” and “Seventy-Six Trombones.” Less well known, but so much fun, are “Wells Fargo Wagon” and “Shipoopie” which feature the company. The barbershop quartet made up of Gary Payne (Bass), Kyle Holt (Baritone), Nathan Roberts (Tenor II), and Sean Malloy (Tenor I) charmed the audience with “Ice Cream/Sincere,” “Lida Rose,” and “Goodnight Ladies.”
The cast also includes Tyler Halbrooks, Alex Wise, Lena Gay, Rachel Harmon, Angela Cope, Kristina Bain, Maud Dunlop, Megan Francis, Milo Warrior, Eric Gebhart, Mila Belcheva, Violette Carpinone, Crystal Davis, Delaney Gebhart, Jacy Schoening, and Ariel Zambeck.
The Music Man runs through June 24th. Take this opportunity to add a little music to your life while supporting the Save the Music Foundation in their efforts to add music to the lives of children. Plan ahead. There is a good deal of construction around the venue. Dress comfortably for outdoor evening temperatures. Tickets may be purchased through thehopefultheatreproject.com or by accessing the link on Hopeful’s Facebook page. Performances are at 8 pm Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays.
Experience Live Theater!
Glynda Welch
Audience Rating: G
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
ASL Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: None
Running Time: 2 ½ hours including 15 minute intermission
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