Direction by Ben Hart & Brandon James. Music Direction by J. Kathleen Castellanos. Choreography by Alyssa Dumas and Jason Faria. Lighting Design by Kelly Gibson. Sound Design by Andrew Cameron. Costume and Set Design by Ben Hart & Brandon James. Properties Design by Elise Marshall. Scenic Artist Kate Dugas. Presented by Seacoast Rep (Closed February 26).
by Linda Chin
While hightailing it up I-95N to Portsmouth, NH last weekend, I got a text from a friend that excitedly read: I’m seeing MM on Broadway in 10 minutes!!! – to which I rather flatly replied “Say hi to Hugh for me. And Sutton.” We, too, were headed to see The Music Man, the six-time Tony Award-winning musical by Meredith Wilson at Seacoast Rep. And although I adore Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster and admit to having a twinge of envy, my two theatre dates and I knew that with the Seacoast Theatre’s track record with musicals, we would have an entertaining evening.
With likeable characters, clever dialogue, and songbook of hummable hits, The Music Man is one of the most popular shows in the American musical theatre canon. But while it has endured for generations and has multi-generational appeal, many theatres avoid its dated script, small town, white-centered story, and lyrics some consider racist.
Seacoast Rep’s artistic directors Ben Hart and Brandon James selection of The Music Man as the first mainstage show in their 2022 lineup is fitting of the season’s theme “Celebration.” From the impeccably-timed repartee in the opening “Ya Got Trouble” River City Junction scene to the “76
Trombones” flourish” in the finale, this production was joyous throughout. The show was also a visual treat, with colorful costumes befitting the period and a bandstand gazebo structure that was the center stage anchor providing additional playing levels. The creative choreography made the storytelling soar and each production number featured the cast’s triple-threat talents.
Luther Brooks IV and MaryAnn Williams play the iconic roles of con man Harold Hill and Marian the Librarian, and in this production show their strong skills as individual performers and as a couple show great chemistry. The Directors’ decision to cast actors of color to play characters who are outsiders (and who are initially mistrusted, and then later celebrated by the community, added to the Company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as the show’s theme of redemption. Shoutout to Andy Kowalczewski (Tommy Dijilas), a transplant from Buffalo NY who is a year-round company member, for his outstanding scene and dance-partnering skills and ensemble work. Let it be said that the Seacoast’s production of Music Man deserved the standing ovation it received.
