River City Revival
Now in revival at the Marriott Theatre, the show is still radiant. Set in 1912 in River City, a fictional Midwest town, it has an irresistible idealism. Those early 20th-century years before the hardships of World War I, the Depression, and World War II feel like a long-lost golden-age.The show, created by Meredith Willson, is based on the author’s birthplace, Mason City, Iowa, and many of its characters were drawn from some of the people who Willson knew. That’s one reason for the show’s appeal. But another very important one is its terrific musical score. Songs such as “Gary, Indiana,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “(Ya Got) Trouble,” “The Wells Fargo Wagon,” and “Till There Was You” are so enchanting that they have become classics in their own right.
A Huckster Comes to Town
“The Music Man” revolves around conman Harold Hill, who hoodwinks the townsfolk out of their money under the guise of creating a music band to get kids off the street. Although Harold knows nothing about music, he sells musical instruments, glitzy uniforms, and instruction books to the citizens of River City. Then he instructs the kids to use a preposterous “think system” to learn how to play the instruments.
Harold’s objective is to fleece the town of its cash, have a seductive rendezvous with the beautiful librarian, then take a train to the next town where he will repeat his swindle. Of course, Harold’s plan goes awry when he unexpectedly does good and falls in love with Marian, the librarian. Indeed, that’s what makes this show more than a flashy musical romp. That a man is transformed and redeemed is the moral of the show.
This production’s exuberance and vivacity is to a great extent due to its masterful direction and choreography by Katie Spelman, who is faithful to the narrative of the original production. Furthermore, Collette Pollard’s scenic design of old-fashioned shops, with expressive lighting by Jesse Klug and colorful costuming by Raquel Adorno gives an old-fashioned look to the staging.
Ms. Spelman did, however, make a small change to the show that makes it more romantic. Instead of ending it with the kid’s band playing an exhilarating ‘Seventy-Six Trombones,” the musical ends with Harold and Marian in a romantic duet singing “Till There Was You.”
A big reason for the appeal of this production is its talented cast. KJ Hippensteel is a compelling actor who suggests the charm of the unforgettable Robert Preston as Harold Hill. Mr. Hippensteel delivers a bullet-fast version of the flim-flam salesman, but also demonstrates a velvety singing voice with some elegant dancing. He does a great job of making Harold a conniving, yet likable huckster.
Furthermore, another exceptional performance is that of Alexandra Silber as the librarian Marian Paroo who can’t help but be suspicious of Harold. Her portrayal of a woman not taken in by the lying salesman but then transformed by love is delightful.
Other terrific contributors to the show include Ron E. Rains as the hilarious salesman Charlie Cowell; Alex Goodrich as a laughable Mayor Shinn; Janet Ulrich Brooks as Mrs. Paroo, Marian’s sharp Irish mom; and Kai Edgar, adorable as Winthrop Paroo, the young boy whose life is changed by Harold and who is the catalyst for Marian’s turnabout.
Last but not least, Kevin Reeks’s orchestra brings out the best in Willson’s exuberant musical score, which is enhanced by the terrific acoustics of sound designer Michael Daly.
A feel-good, enchanting musical, “The Music Man” will have theater goers humming and dancing in the aisles at show’s end.
