Review: 'The Music Man' Hits All The Right Notes
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
However, when a cast makes that statement about a show come true, it's also easy to heap praise on the ensemble.
And that's exactly what the cast of Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of "The Music Man" did opening night Wednesday. They put on an exceptional performance, from the smallest of roles to the leads.
Audiences will know exactly what fun they're getting themselves into with the opening number "Rock Island". The number features Charlie Cowell (Benjamin Maters) and the traveling salesmen talking/singing about their industry like a train on the go. Their conversation eventually steers into talk about Professor Harold Hill and what a con and scoundrel he is.
Maters and the boys really deliver "Rock Island". It's fun to watch them almost rap the number, bouncing up and down or moving back and forth like a locomotive. Some of the men's faces really get red as they fire the words in rapid succession.
Cowell reappears in "The Music Man" later in the show, and the role really gives Maters a chance to shine so far this season. Watching his delivery, facial expressions and mannerisms - plus that crazy orange suit and purple hat - it was easy to see Cowell in some Heath Ledger type of role ("The Dark Knight", "Candy", etc.).
Little do the salesmen realize that Hill was sitting in their midst until he leaves them, showcasing his suitcase with his name on it.
Frenkel definitely makes Hill a likeable fellow. In fact, I think I have a couple of friends just like him. As this was my first time to see "The Music Man", Frenkel sets the standard as to which all future Professor Hills may be judged against. Audiences will like the con man.
The downfall of a man is often a beautiful lover. The professor's is music teacher and librarian Marian, played as sublime as one could hope for by Caroline Kobylarz.
Not only does Kobylarz have the acting chops to play the role of Marian, but her voice can reach notes that make the music of "The Music Man" sweeter.
When Kobylarz's version of "Will I Ever Tell You" intertwines with the barbershop quartet's "Lida Rose" in Act II, it becomes one of the more memorable songs in the production. The song could be totally a cappella because the voices blend so well together.
Kobylarz has a God-given gift in her voice.
The quartet sings several numbers throughout the show, giving it a real old-time downhome feel. Members of the quartet, who do such a great job, include Olin Britt (played by Jim Geller), Oliver Hix (Mike Lewis), Ewart Dunlop (Phil Randall) and Jacey Squires (Jerry Frush).
Playing Marian's red-headed Irish mother, Mrs. Paroo, is Dannielle Robertson. Mrs. Paroo just wants her daughter to fall in love and be happy with a guy, and Robertson plays it convincingly.
When an actor has an accent in a show, I try to always watch and see if they can carry it the entire two hours. Not once do I recall Robertson ever losing the Irish. It seemed as natural and authentic as it could be.
Hill's con is to sell musical instruments, uniforms, etc. to a townspeople on the premise that he will teach the children to play in a band and avoid getting into trouble. Before the town realizes Hill doesn't know the first thing about music, he and the townspeople's money are gone.
Not trusting Hill from the get-go is River City, Iowa, Mayor Shinn (Andy Robinson). As played by Robinson, the mayor is a little easily perplexed and befuddled, and offers some great comedic moments.
Mrs. Shinn, Eulalie Shinn, is played with full gusto by Warsaw Community High School Assistant Principal Jennifer Shepherd. Most regular WWT attendees will remember Shepherd from her performance as the drama teacher in last year's "High School Musical" at the Wagon Wheel. If you liked her last year in that show, and I did, then you'll find Shepherd just as entertaining in "The Music Man".
Shepherd and the Ladies of River City offer a fun number with "Pickalittle (Talk-a-Little)", which is about Marian. The ladies of the town are the kind of women who think they're more important to the world than they actually are, but don't get how silly their behavior is. Shepherd, Tiffany Dissette, Sophie Grimm, Katie McCreary and Erica Wilpon are stellar in their performance of that number.
Besides the romantic story of Marian and Professor Hill, there's a subplot involving the mayor's oldest daughter, Zaneeta Shinn (Ashley Travis), and Tommy Dijilas (Zachary McConnell), a young possible future delinquent. The subplot almost feels like a filler to the overall musical, but Travis and McConnell play their roles well. If the show were to be stretched out more, it's their roles which audiences may want to see more of.
Speaking of Travis, I almost didn't recognize her right away as her costume and blonde curly wig transformed her into another person of another era all together. Costume designer Stephen R. Hollenbeck made everyone look their character and added an element of depth to them. Mrs. Shinn and the Ladies in their feathery, bird-like costumes are another example of the character texture Hollenbeck's costumes and Jennifer Dow's wigs give to the characters on stage.
People around me also commented on the gazebo stage. If it were a real gazebo, it would be one expensive gazebo to brag about.
Also, praise goes out to lighting designer Fritz Bennett for this show. At the close of certain numbers, the lighting framed the character on stage. The effect resulted in an endearing feeling toward whatever character that happened to be, usually Marian or Hill.[[In-content Ad]]As previous stated, there is no bad role or performance in this show. Whether it's Constable Locke (Jake Klinkhammer) or Marcellus Washburn (Dave Adamick), audiences will be captivated by the story told on the Wagon Wheel stage.
Director and choreographer Scott Michaels has a show on his hands that should be a hit. And as far as choreography goes, the best dance routine in "The Music Man" for me is "Marian The Librarian". Who knew books made great dance partners?
My rating of Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" (out of four): 3.95.
"The Music Man" runs through July 17. To order tickets or for more information, call the box office at 574-267-8041; toll free at 866-823-2618; or visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
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However, when a cast makes that statement about a show come true, it's also easy to heap praise on the ensemble.
And that's exactly what the cast of Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of "The Music Man" did opening night Wednesday. They put on an exceptional performance, from the smallest of roles to the leads.
Audiences will know exactly what fun they're getting themselves into with the opening number "Rock Island". The number features Charlie Cowell (Benjamin Maters) and the traveling salesmen talking/singing about their industry like a train on the go. Their conversation eventually steers into talk about Professor Harold Hill and what a con and scoundrel he is.
Maters and the boys really deliver "Rock Island". It's fun to watch them almost rap the number, bouncing up and down or moving back and forth like a locomotive. Some of the men's faces really get red as they fire the words in rapid succession.
Cowell reappears in "The Music Man" later in the show, and the role really gives Maters a chance to shine so far this season. Watching his delivery, facial expressions and mannerisms - plus that crazy orange suit and purple hat - it was easy to see Cowell in some Heath Ledger type of role ("The Dark Knight", "Candy", etc.).
Little do the salesmen realize that Hill was sitting in their midst until he leaves them, showcasing his suitcase with his name on it.
Frenkel definitely makes Hill a likeable fellow. In fact, I think I have a couple of friends just like him. As this was my first time to see "The Music Man", Frenkel sets the standard as to which all future Professor Hills may be judged against. Audiences will like the con man.
The downfall of a man is often a beautiful lover. The professor's is music teacher and librarian Marian, played as sublime as one could hope for by Caroline Kobylarz.
Not only does Kobylarz have the acting chops to play the role of Marian, but her voice can reach notes that make the music of "The Music Man" sweeter.
When Kobylarz's version of "Will I Ever Tell You" intertwines with the barbershop quartet's "Lida Rose" in Act II, it becomes one of the more memorable songs in the production. The song could be totally a cappella because the voices blend so well together.
Kobylarz has a God-given gift in her voice.
The quartet sings several numbers throughout the show, giving it a real old-time downhome feel. Members of the quartet, who do such a great job, include Olin Britt (played by Jim Geller), Oliver Hix (Mike Lewis), Ewart Dunlop (Phil Randall) and Jacey Squires (Jerry Frush).
Playing Marian's red-headed Irish mother, Mrs. Paroo, is Dannielle Robertson. Mrs. Paroo just wants her daughter to fall in love and be happy with a guy, and Robertson plays it convincingly.
When an actor has an accent in a show, I try to always watch and see if they can carry it the entire two hours. Not once do I recall Robertson ever losing the Irish. It seemed as natural and authentic as it could be.
Hill's con is to sell musical instruments, uniforms, etc. to a townspeople on the premise that he will teach the children to play in a band and avoid getting into trouble. Before the town realizes Hill doesn't know the first thing about music, he and the townspeople's money are gone.
Not trusting Hill from the get-go is River City, Iowa, Mayor Shinn (Andy Robinson). As played by Robinson, the mayor is a little easily perplexed and befuddled, and offers some great comedic moments.
Mrs. Shinn, Eulalie Shinn, is played with full gusto by Warsaw Community High School Assistant Principal Jennifer Shepherd. Most regular WWT attendees will remember Shepherd from her performance as the drama teacher in last year's "High School Musical" at the Wagon Wheel. If you liked her last year in that show, and I did, then you'll find Shepherd just as entertaining in "The Music Man".
Shepherd and the Ladies of River City offer a fun number with "Pickalittle (Talk-a-Little)", which is about Marian. The ladies of the town are the kind of women who think they're more important to the world than they actually are, but don't get how silly their behavior is. Shepherd, Tiffany Dissette, Sophie Grimm, Katie McCreary and Erica Wilpon are stellar in their performance of that number.
Besides the romantic story of Marian and Professor Hill, there's a subplot involving the mayor's oldest daughter, Zaneeta Shinn (Ashley Travis), and Tommy Dijilas (Zachary McConnell), a young possible future delinquent. The subplot almost feels like a filler to the overall musical, but Travis and McConnell play their roles well. If the show were to be stretched out more, it's their roles which audiences may want to see more of.
Speaking of Travis, I almost didn't recognize her right away as her costume and blonde curly wig transformed her into another person of another era all together. Costume designer Stephen R. Hollenbeck made everyone look their character and added an element of depth to them. Mrs. Shinn and the Ladies in their feathery, bird-like costumes are another example of the character texture Hollenbeck's costumes and Jennifer Dow's wigs give to the characters on stage.
People around me also commented on the gazebo stage. If it were a real gazebo, it would be one expensive gazebo to brag about.
Also, praise goes out to lighting designer Fritz Bennett for this show. At the close of certain numbers, the lighting framed the character on stage. The effect resulted in an endearing feeling toward whatever character that happened to be, usually Marian or Hill.[[In-content Ad]]As previous stated, there is no bad role or performance in this show. Whether it's Constable Locke (Jake Klinkhammer) or Marcellus Washburn (Dave Adamick), audiences will be captivated by the story told on the Wagon Wheel stage.
Director and choreographer Scott Michaels has a show on his hands that should be a hit. And as far as choreography goes, the best dance routine in "The Music Man" for me is "Marian The Librarian". Who knew books made great dance partners?
My rating of Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" (out of four): 3.95.
"The Music Man" runs through July 17. To order tickets or for more information, call the box office at 574-267-8041; toll free at 866-823-2618; or visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
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