Reviewed by Anthony Annicone
Reagle Music Theatre’s third show of their 50th season is “The Music Man” by Meredith Willson. This musical first opened on Broadway on December 19, 1957 and ran for 1375 performances. Robert Preston played the leading role of Harold Hill both onstage and in the 1962 film version. The show is set in Iowa in 1912 and is the story of the fast talking Harold Hill who cons the good citizens of River City into buying musical instruments and band uniforms by promising to create a boy’s band in the town. Not knowing a trumpet from a trombone, Hill expects to skip town with cash in hand, only to be caught up in the arms of the beautiful Marian Paroo, the librarian who transforms him into a reformed rogue and a respectable citizen by show’s end. Director/choreographer Susan Chebookjian returns in triumph to choreograph this show once again at Reagle Music Theatre. She last choreographed it in 2010 with actor Scott Wahle as Harold Hill and Sarah Pfisterer as Marian. She recreates Onna White’s original choreography from the Broadway and movie versions. Susan and musical director Dan Rodriguez obtain stellar performances from the 57 multitalented cast members. They capture your hearts with their high spirited, energetic and exuberant version which wins them a standing ovation at the close of this heartwarming family friendly musical masterpiece.
