The Legacy Theater is Tyrone is presenting the Broadway classic “The Music Man” through August 3rd. This production features a cast of talented professionals along with lots of local actors young and old. The story is about a con man, “Professor” Harold Hill, who swindles small town Iowans by promising to start a band for kids when he actually has no musical training. His MO: sell the instruments and uniforms, get the money, and then disappear. The original Broadway production featured the incredible Robert Preston as the con man and won 5 Tony Awards in 1957. Robert Preston revived the role in the movie version in 1962.
“The Music Man” is pure family fun and a great introduction to theater for children. This cast has some great singers, but especially Katie Mitchell who plays Marian the librarian. And it’s no surprise that a theater company associated with a theater school and dance academy would have superb choreography and lots of amazingly talented children. Actually, they have so much talent there are three different casts of children during this summer run. They’ve changed the boy’s band into a “kid’s band” to give more opportunities for these young actors.
A few of the “Iowans” sound more like they’re from south Alabama instead of farm country in the mid-west, but that’s a small problem in an otherwise delightful production. Mark Smith as Harold Hill is not Robert Preston, but then, who could be? Preston was one of a kind. Smith’s still engaging and on top of all those amazing lines that have been called the first “rap” on Broadway. You may have seen some rappers who attempted this music on the recent Tony Awards production. Since there’s a whole generation who have never seen the Preston version, Smith is able to make the role his own.
The Legacy Theater is intimate (only 180 seats) making it tricky for the actors to present a dynamic production without over-acting. With one or two exceptions, this cast is spot on. The sets, costumes, and music are a delight. But the biggest shout-out goes to the director who was also the choreographer: Christie Zimmerman. Dance is beautifully interwoven throughout the entire show. Most directors don’t have the knowledge of dance to do what Zimmerman has done. Brava! (In case you don’t know, that’s the appropriately female version of the better known Italian compliment “bravo”).
“The Music Man” is pure family fun and a great introduction to theater for children. This cast has some great singers, but especially Katie Mitchell who plays Marian the librarian. And it’s no surprise that a theater company associated with a theater school and dance academy would have superb choreography and lots of amazingly talented children. Actually, they have so much talent there are three different casts of children during this summer run. They’ve changed the boy’s band into a “kid’s band” to give more opportunities for these young actors.
A few of the “Iowans” sound more like they’re from south Alabama instead of farm country in the mid-west, but that’s a small problem in an otherwise delightful production. Mark Smith as Harold Hill is not Robert Preston, but then, who could be? Preston was one of a kind. Smith’s still engaging and on top of all those amazing lines that have been called the first “rap” on Broadway. You may have seen some rappers who attempted this music on the recent Tony Awards production. Since there’s a whole generation who have never seen the Preston version, Smith is able to make the role his own.
The Legacy Theater is intimate (only 180 seats) making it tricky for the actors to present a dynamic production without over-acting. With one or two exceptions, this cast is spot on. The sets, costumes, and music are a delight. But the biggest shout-out goes to the director who was also the choreographer: Christie Zimmerman. Dance is beautifully interwoven throughout the entire show. Most directors don’t have the knowledge of dance to do what Zimmerman has done. Brava! (In case you don’t know, that’s the appropriately female version of the better known Italian compliment “bravo”).
The Music Man, with book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson plays July 11 - August 3, with evening performances Tuesdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15 for children 12 and under to only $25 for adults. For hardly more than the price of a movie, (and a lot less than a too hot, too loud concert) you can enjoy live theater close to home. For more information of this production go to thelegacytheatre.org and enjoy “The Music Man.”
Tickets were provided to Macaroni Kid for the purpose of this review.
