Last updated October 23, 2008   

The Music Man

Book, Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson

directed by Christi E. Sears

Auditions: May 4, 5; callbacks May 6, 2009
Performances: July 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26(m), 30, 31, August 1, 2(m), 6, 7, 8, 2009

“We've got trouble! Right here in River City!”

What fan of the American musical stage doesn't know and love the story of salesman Harold Hill and his scheme to con the citizens of a small town into forming a marching band – and then run off with the money?

But River City doesn't prove as soft a touch as Hill expects, and when he meets up with a level-headed (and lovely) librarian, everything goes awry.

An affectionate tribute to small-town America at the turn of the last century, The Music Man is packed with such beloved songs as “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Till There Was You” and “Goodnight, My Someone.”

Suitable for all ages.

What the reviewers said about the original 1962 Broadway production::

"As American as apple pie and a Fourth of July oration ... a marvelous show, rooted in wholesome and comic tradition." - New York Times

"An extraordinary warm-hearted, funny and captivating show." - Daily News

"A whopping hit. This salute by Meredith Willson to his native Iowa will make even Oklahoma look to its laurels."
- Journal American

Cast of characters

Audition schedule:

• Monday May 4, 7:30 pm – 10 pm : Vocals and dance. Bring sheet music and be prepared to sing a song that highlights your vocal abilities. Do not choose a song from this show. Due to the number of expected auditioners, you most likely will not get to sing your entire song.
• Tuesday May 5, 7:30 pm – 10 pm: Readings and vocal combinations
• Wednesday May 6th 7:30 pm – 10 pm – CALLBACKS ONLY

Anyone interested must attend both Monday and Tuesday nights; those auditioning for a lead role should be available Wednesday if they are called back. Children, with the exception of Winthrop and Amaryllis, will not be required at callbacks.

Charcters:

• Harold Hill – Mature Male, Baritone, Dynamic con-man
• Marian Paroo – Mature/Youthful female, soporano, stuffy town librarian
• Marcellus Washburn – Mature male, Tenor, Harold’s chummy friend
• Mrs. Paroo – Mature female, Mezzo-Soprano, Marian’s Irish Mom (accent required)
• Winthrop Paroo – Child, alto, Marian’s lisping baby brother
• Mayor Shinn – Mature male, any range, blustery politician
• Eulalie Mackencknie Shinn – Mature female, alto, Mayor Shinn’s peacock wife
• Zaneeta Shinn – Youthful female, any vocal range, the mayor’s daffy daughter
• Tommy Djilas – Youthful male, any vocal range, the town “bad boy” – must be able to dance
• Gracie Shinn – Child, any vocal range, young child of the Shinn’s
• Amaryllis – Child, Alto, piano student of Marion’s
• The Quartet – Ewart Dunlop, Oliver Hix, Jacey Squires, Olin Britt (tenor 1, tenor 2, baritone and bass) School board members
• The Wives –Maud Dunlop, Alma Hix, Mrs. Squires, any vocal range and will be part of the Pick-a-little Ladies – gossipy wives of quartet
• Pick-a-little Ladies – various vocal ranges and ages
• Charlie Cowell, Mature male – any vocal range, a rival salesman
• Traveling Salesman – various ages and vocal ranges
• Ethel Toffelmier – Mature female, any vocal range, girlfriend of Marcellus and also the “pianola” girl
• Constable Lock – Mature Male, any vocal range
• River City Townspeople – Various ages and vocal ranges
• River City Kids – Various ages, young to teen and various vocal ranges

Questions? Contact director Christ E. Sears at 541-926-4029 or at cirsey@netzero.com

Director

Christi Sears has become ACT's top director of musicals, with a string of successes including Hello, Dolly, The Rocky Horror Show, The Pirates of Penzance, Into the Woods and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. A long-time board member, she served three terms as president. Christi lives and works in Albany.

Web links

• Coming soon