The Music Man

I'm starting to sound like a broken record, but I thoroughly enjoy traveling to Lincolnshire to see musical productions at the Marriott Theatre. Every time I visit, I leave filled with joy and amazement at how they can recreate the energy and excitement from original productions that touch your soul and transport audiences into a different world on a small stage with limited visual effects. This brilliant deception allows audiences, if just for a few hours, to magically remove themselves from the troubles within their lives through Marriott Theatre's continuous casting of outstanding and diverse actors who can perform, sing, and dance, most of whom were not even born when The Music Man, the book by Meredith Willson and story written by Willson and Franklin Lacey. Based on Willson's Iowan childhood, this classic American tale centers around a charismatic traveling salesman named Professor Harold Hill, a swindling antagonist in River City, Iowa. Known for his deceptive ways, Hill plotted from the minute the train pulled into the River City station, which spelled trouble with a capital T. Hill creates a fraudulent but frightening stir amongst the people about a crime (Ya Got Trouble) that could enter their community with Billards while seeking to scam River City by promising to bring in a safer environment by assembling a children's band. During Willson's childhood in Iowa, crime was widespread, especially in rural areas like River City. Illegal bootleggers were a significant problem, as they operated their businesses in remote areas, away from the reach of law enforcement officials, making it difficult for authorities to keep a check on their activities. As a result, criminal activities were rampant in the region. Billards, during that time, was considered by some as sinful, dangerous, morally corrupt activity.

The Music Man is genuinely an enthralling musical and a testament to its exceptional quality and enduring appeal that had a run of 1,375 performances on Broadway and five Tony awards, including Best Musical in 1958. Its timeless theme of love conquering corruption continues to captivate audiences today, as in 1957 when the musical first premiered. Nominated alongside 'West Side Story' - another iconic musical of its time - speaks volumes about its brilliance and impact.  Marriott’s two-act performance, with eleven scenes in the first act and seven in act two, is filled with the popular songs featured in The Music Man, starting with a brilliant rendition of Rock Island, Iowa Stubborn, and the top song, Ya Got Trouble. Other well-known songs include "Seventy-Six Trombones, Gary, Indiana, and Till There Was You." The starting cast of KJ Hippensteel delightfully plays the swindling Harold Hill, with amazingly talented Alexander Silber as Marian, who has the voice of an operatic angel. The 37-member cast is exceptional and has too many great performers to mention; still,  accolades to Kai Edgar (Winthrop), Alex Goodrich (Mayor Shinn), Michael Earvin Martin (Marcellus), Melanie Loren (Mrs. Shinn), and the Marriott Theatre's Fred Astaire, Sam Linda (Tommy), the whimsical quintet of Caron Buinis, Melanie Loren, Kelly Felthous ( who played the Mayor's daughter Zaneeta Shinnand at Goodman Theatre), Christine Mayland Perkins, Lillian Castillo in "Pick -a-Little, Talk-a-Little," and the remarkable sounds coming from the cappella quartet of Michael Potsic, Quinn Rigg, Matt Edmonds and the multi-talented Michael Mahler, who (I believe) had a lot to do with bringing the fantastic harmony together. Although it was a limited role, it's always a pleasure seeing the great Ron E. Rains performing, who was brilliant in Damn Yankees, and one of my all-time favorite actors, Janet Ulrich Brooks, as Mrs. Paroo. She was an incredible actor, and having her in a production brings a certain level of success to a play. But the Shining Star Award goes to the astonishing performance of Naya Rosalie James as Gracie Shinn. A few decades ago, I created greeting cards with the message, "How To Say Something, Without Saying a Word." James nailed her role as the daughter, providing a priceless and hilarious movement mimicry of her father. I congratulated her on her amazing performance and saw many others waiting to do the same.

The Music Man is about transforming from deception to redemption through the power of love. Hill attempted to defraud the rural community but unexceptionally interjected an energetic buoyancy into the Iowa stubborn and boring town. Society has always believed that good can overcome evil, and The Music Man, like other musicals, movies, and sitcoms, has tried to intellectually channel this message into our minds, hearts, and souls. And even though many are on the fence if it's worked for a few hours, Marriott Theatre gives you a chance to dream again that love can conquer all. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Marriott Theatre

Meredith Willson's The Music Man

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Meredith Willson

Story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Silber

Directed & Choreographed by Katie Spelman

April 10, 2024 -June 2, 2024

For Tickets, click above, and for additional reviews, click below. Thanks for stopping by Let’s Play!