‘The Music Man’ marches in for two weekends
Huntsville Community Chorus will present “The Music Man” on July 26-28 and Aug. 2-3. (CONTRIBUTED)
HUNTSVILLE – For its summer musical, Huntsville Community Chorus (HCC) is presenting “The Music Man,” Meredith Wilson’s tribute to Smalltown, USA of a bygone era.
“‘The Music Man’ follows fast-talking traveling salesman ‘Professor’ Harold Hill, played by Jonathan Bryant, as he flimflams the people of River City, Iowa,” publicist Jim Zielinski said. “He vows to organize a boys’ band, though he can’t tell a trombone from a treble clef.”
“The Music Man” is distinguished by its “happy, positive, catchy tunes,” Zielinski said. Paul McCartney, Al Hirt, Anita Bryant and Peggy Lee have covered these songs. “Seventy-Six Trombones” is the show’s hallmark number.
The HCC board approved James and Bess Jernigan Desta’s suggestion to reprise the show. He is directing, and she is musical director. Stephanie Braly-Beutjer is choreographer.
Other lead actors are Janie Clasgens (Marian “The Librarian” Paroo), Will Haymond (Marcellus Washburn), Braly Beutjer (Winthrop Paroo), Joe Mosley (Mayor) and Hannah Shelton (Mrs. Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn).
Youth from Harvest in “The Music Man” are Shelby Deerman (townsperson, ensemble), Collier Devaney (train conductor, townsperson) and Ally Goode (pick-a-little lady).
Madison actors are Maria Sullivan (teen library chorus, townsperson), Emily Furno (Mrs. Squires, pick-a-little lady), Christopher Purves (Olin Britt), John Purves (library chorus, townsperson, boys’ band), Leah Purves (townsperson, chorus, student music director), Sydney Roberts (pick-a-little lady), Olivia G. Schweikart (teen library chorus, townsperson) and Victoria Wiegand (Alma Hix, pick-a-little lady).
Townspeople and chorus members from Madison are Samuel Wilson, Matthew Bao, Madison Emmons, Alexandra Wiegand, Neelesh Manandhai, Carly Parker and Kelley Ann Parris.
Evening shows at Von Braun Center Playhouse open at 7:30 p.m. on July 26-27 and Aug. 2-3. Matinees will be performed on July 27-28 and Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices for evening shows are $23, adults; college students and senior citizens, $18; and students in grades K-12, $12. For matinees, adults pay $20; college and senior citizens, $15; and children, $12.
For more information, call 256-533-6606 or visit thechorus.org.
