Parkside Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside presents seven rousing performances of Meredith Willson's All-American musical "The Music Man." This tribute to small towns and the power of music lights up the Communication Arts Theatre stage April 24 to May 2.
Director Dean Yohnk calls this "the perfect time" for Parkside Theatre to perform "The Music Man."
"It's a traditional musical that embraces everything American musicals represent; there's optimism, hope, lessons about honesty, lessons about hard work, about imagining things can be better," said Yohnk, who is a UW-Parkside Theatre Arts professor. "It's an upbeat and inspirational piece for these tough economic times."
Harold Hill, played by Karl Gfall, is the "Music Man"--a con artist who arrives in sleepy River City, Iowa, hawking band instruments and uniforms and promising to teach local kids to play using his revolutionary "Think System." Hill knows nothing about music but he's confident he can skip town before his deceit is discovered.
Although skeptical at first, River City allows itself to be seduced by Hill. Almost miraculously, the town and its people are transformed by music.
"Even though Harold can't actually teach the kids how to play, he transforms the town because they believe that the power of music will change them," Yohnk said.
Then Hill himself is transformed when he unexpectedly falls in love with Marian Paroo (Robyn Schneider) the town's librarian.
Drawn from Willson's memories of his Mason City, Iowa, hometown, "The Music Man" is a Valentine to small town America. Beginning with the mood-setting "Iowa Stubborn," the play is packed with great music from the tenderness of "Goodnight My Someone" and "Till there was You" to the rousing "Trouble" and the climactic "Seventy-Six Trombones."
The music is mixed with numerous dance numbers including the delightful "Shipoopi." Yohnk is getting expert help with the music and choreography from acclaimed Chicago theatre professionals Gary Powell and Frank Roberts. Local communities are supplying the children of River City. Marching bands from high schools in Wilmot, Oak Creek, and South Milwaukee and the Emerald Knights Band of Kenosha provide music for the play's triumphant close.
The production's elaborate set with co-designed by student Michael Kaukl and staff member Keith Harris. Costume designer was provided by Judith Tucker-Snider, with hair and wig design student Aaron Greenberg, and make-up design by student Nikki Kulas.
"The Music Man" is performed at 7:30 p.m. April 24, 25, 30, May 1 and 2, at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, and at 10 a.m. Friday, May 1. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $8 for students. They can be ordered online at www.uwp.edu keyword: tickets or by calling 262-595-2564. Members of the matching bands involved in the play are selling tickets to their performance and a portion of these ticket sales will be returned to the band to fund their future development projects.Publish date: 4/6/2009
