Though it debuted on Broadway more than 50 years ago, "The Music Man" features lead roles still coveted by today's young actors.
"These are roles we are hoping to play in the future for years and years. This is a great place for us to get our feet wet," said Caroline Kobylarz, who plays Marian in Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of "The Music Man".
"It's one of my favorites," she said in an interview Monday afternoon.
It wasn't always a favorite for Ari Frenkel, who plays the lead role of Professor Harold Hill in "The Music Man". The first time he saw a presentation of the Meredith Willson show, it was a bad production. Since then, however, he's grown to love it.
Kobylarz said, "I hope people bring their kids because this show is a classic in American musical theater."
Frenkel said it's an original and innovative show. Nothing presented today has the kind of music audiences will find in "The Music Man". Shows today are all pop or rock. While it's great to try new things, today's shows tend to steer away from what musical theater is, he said.
"I can't wait for everyone to see it," said Kobylarz.
"It is the story of a con man," said Frenkel. "This is the last town he cons. The town is more special than he expected."
Frenkel said in the show, Harold meets and falls in love with Marian, who makes him want to stop his con games.
Kobylarz said Marian is a librarian and music teacher. She encompasses some of the characteristics of the town.
"She's very stubborn, well read and educated," Kobylarz said.
Marian researches Harold, but despite all she knows of him, she still falls for him.
"Over the course of the show, she goes from being cold hearted to very warm (toward him)," Kobylarz said.
While some may think "The Music Man" is standard musical theater, Frenkel said it's different than other shows. It's complicated and well-written - focusing on the villain and getting the audience to root for the bad guy.
Harold and Marian are alike, Frenkel said, because they are both outcasts in their society. They're both also forward thinkers.
Frenkel said it's a fluffy musical, unless you really think about it. Harold preaches living for the day as his way of winning people over. He doesn't think about the consequences.
Other subplots in the musical, Frenkel said, are directly correlated to Harold's coming into town and his relationship with Marian.
"He cons everyone into thinking he knows more of music when he doesn't," said Frenkel. "In this show, every song furthers the plot of the show."
"The music is an important element to the plot," said Kobylarz. "Harold Hill wins over the hearts of everyone through song."
"He's so good at it, he convinces himself," said Frenkel. "Not until he meets a woman who cares for him does he even consider himself a criminal."
Kobylarz said "The Music Man" is a classic work in American musical theater that will stand the test of time. Meredith Willson wrote the book, music and lyrics. It's based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. Because it all came from one source, she said the show is grounded and consistent. It's funny, smart and well-written, she said.
Frenkel said that's rare with so many musicals.
"These two roles we're playing are considered the best," Frenkel said. "They have so much to them."
"It's a good challenge as a young actor," said Kobylarz.
Frenkel said he finds the role extremely difficult, which he loves. A director once told him a role should have obstacles for an actor to overcome if an actor is to reach new levels.
The musical features a lot of patter songs spoken in rhythm, Frenkel said. Harold knows what to say and how to say it. The songs are tough, and Frenkel said it took more than learning a melody to learn the music.
Three of the songs people will recognize are "Seventy-Six Trombones", "Till There Was You" and "(Ya Got) Trouble".This is the first season for both Frenkel and Kobylarz at the Wagon Wheel. "The Music Man" is Kobylarz's last of three shows, and it's the first of Frenkel's shows this season. Despite knowing each other only a week, Frenkel said he and Kobylarz trust each other.
Frenkel is originally from New Jersey. He went to Montclair State University where he studied acting and has done musical theater and plays. He's also done film and commercials and wants to head in that direction. If you can get into film and commercials, Frenkel said, you can get into anything.
He's also produced, starred and directed his own $25,000 film, which he plans to release this fall. That film also is about a con artist.
Kobylarz is from the suburbs of Philadelphia. She started doing community theater when she was only 6 or 7 years old, and has been doing musicals her whole life.
She went to New York University for a degree. After graduating, rather than pursue a career in opera because she had studied classical musical, she decided to pursue musical theater.
"The Music Man" runs through July 17. Single adult tickets are $30 for all shows. Tickets for students 13 through college are $16, and children 12 and under are $12. Opening nights and matinees are $22 for seniors. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more.
To order tickets or for more information about upcoming events at the Wagon Wheel Theatre in Warsaw, call the box office at 574-267-8041 or toll-free at 866-823-2618. You can also visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
