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.
Susan not only blocks the show marvelously but also supplies the show stopping dance numbers, too. Some of her dances include the Charleston, soft shoe, horn pipe, marching, the hilarious Grecian Urn segment especially impressive are “76 Trombones”, “Shippopi” and “Marian, the Librarian.” Not only is the 12 piece orchestra terrific under Dan’s direction but the annunciation of the lyrics is so clear you can understand every lyric wonderfully. The splendid sets are by James Fouchard while the multitude of gorgeous costumes are by Costume World. Leading this talented cast is Mark Linehan as Harold Hill. He has a superb singing voice. He goes from a brash uncaring cad to a remorseful person when confronted by a small boy whose life he changed for the better. Mark cons the town into his way of thinking with his “Trouble” number when he convinces them of the evilness of pool and puts the finishing touches to his con with “76 Trombones” and I loved the reversible suit jacket and band leader jacket. Mark and the cast stop the show with the stunning “76 Trombone” number with an exuberant dance that leaves the audience cheering in the aisles. Another standout number is “Marian” with the kids and Mark doing some spectacular dance moves. Another comic number is “Sadder But Wiser Girl” with Marcellus but his true acting test occurs with the reprise of “Till There Was You” when Harold realizes that he really loves Marian after all. He tugs at your heartstrings as he reforms his wayward behavior at last. I last reviewed Mark in “Anything Goes” in July and he played Marcellus in this show back in 2010.
Jen Ellis also shines as Marian with her superb soprano voice. Her acting is impeccable and she’s a gorgeous brunette with beautiful blue eyes. Marian’s distrust of Harold is shown strongly at first but she is finally swayed when Harold brings her extremely shy brother, Winthrop out of his shell. Marian eventually falls for him and decides to keep his secret. Jen’s fabulous voice soars off the charts up to a high A in “My White Knight” where she yearns to find a down to earth man to love. She also is brilliant in “Goodnight My Someone” where she wishes to find someone to love, “Will I Ever Tell You?” where she yearns to tell Harold she loves in (done in counterpoint with the quartet’s “Lida Rose”) and the very poignant “Till There Was You” where she confesses her love to Harold at last. Jen displays her dancing skills in “Marian” and “Shipoopi.” Mark and Jen have a lot of chemistry with each other in these roles.
Daniel Forest Sullivan plays Harold’s fellow conman, Marcellus wonderfully. He makes his comic lines hit pay dirt and leads the chorus in “Shipoopi”, one of the big dance numbers. This number shows how the town is changing with the times. Daniel also sings “Sadder But Wiser Girl” with Mark. Mayor Shinn is well played by Jerry Walker. As Mayor Shinn, he mangles the English language constantly, winning many laughs along the way. His malapropisms are priceless as are he slow burns at the behavior of his wife and his fellow cohorts. Jerry also played the Mayor back in 2010 and 2004. Lori L’Italen as Eulalie steals many a scene with her outrageous behavior. She and her gaggle of town gossips stop the show with laughter in “Pickalittle” song and the Grecian Urn sequence has to be seen to be believed. One of the scene stealing Urn dancers is Meryl Galaid who does comic missteps during “It’s You” winning many laughs at her crazy antics!
A strong barbershop quartet can be found in this version with Matthew Gorgone, Antonino Ruggeri, Tom Sawyer and Louis Brogna. They display their voices in “Sincere”, “Goodnight Ladies”, “Lida Rose” and “It’s You”, receiving thunderous applause after each and every one of them. Marylee Fairbanks shines as Mrs. Paroo with her lilting Irish brogue and her sage advice to her daughter on her love life. She plays the doting mother to the hilt while speaking her mind but also displaying the warmth and caring for both her children. Marylee shows off her powerful voice in “Piano Lesson” and “Gary, Indiana.” Cate Galante wonderfully plays Amarylis who has a crush on Winthrop. She hits the wrong note on purpose during “Piano Lesson” and displays a strong singing voice in “Goodnight My Someone.” Her rifle scene with Eulalie is hilarious. One of the biggest scene stealers is sixth grader Jonathan Tillen as Winthrop. He captures the hearts of the audience at his sympathetic portrayal of this shy, lisping boy who makes a transformation during the show. Jonathan’s voice sells “Wells Fargo Wagon” segment when he shows a child’s exuberance at receiving his trumpet and his solo “Gary, Indiana” is also splendid. The confrontation scene with Harold is a standout moment in the show when he demands to know if he is a liar and crook. He elicits many tears from the audience during this scene. The trouble making Tommy who dances up a storm is wonderfully played by Bernie Baldassaro while Isabelle Miller plays his girl friend, Zaneeta who is the Mayor and Eulalie’s daughter. I reviewed Isabelle when she was a young girl as Annie in “Annie” in 2008 and as Louisa in “The Sound Of Music” in 2011 both at Reagle. She’s now a junior at Wagner College. Playing the villain Charlie Cowell is Allyn Hunt who wants Harold tarred and feathered but is defeated by the boys band at the end of the show. Kudos to the singing and dancing chorus in this musical. I have many happy memories of this show having played a member of the boy’s band back in high school. Once again producer Bob Eagle spares no expense in bringing the best Broadway style entertainment to MA audiences these past 50 years. “The Music Man” is one more feather in his cap. So be sure to run not walk to the box office before this blockbuster musical leaves Reagle Music Theatre on August 12. Tell them Tony sent you.
THE MUSIC MAN (2 to 12 August)
Reagle Music Theatre, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA
1(781)-891-5600 or www.reaglemusictheatre.org
