The MMI Preparatory School Drama Club presented “The Music Man” on Saturday, March 21 at 7:00 P.M. and Sunday, March 22 at 6:00 P.M. in the MMI Athletics and Drama Complex, 154 Centre Street, Freeland.
“The Music Man” is a musical written by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. In 1957, the show became a hit on Broadway, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The cast album won the first Grammy Award for “Best Original Cast Album” and spent 245 weeks on the Billboard charts. The show’s success led to revivals and a popular 1962 film adaptation and a 2003 remake for television.
Confidence man Harold Hill, portrayed by MMI student James Gabrielle, arrives at staid River City intending to cheat the community with his standard scam of offering to equip and train a boy’s marching band, then skip town with the money – since he has no musical skill anyway. Things go awry when he falls for a librarian played by Lindsey Walko who he tries to divert from exposing him, while he inadvertently enriches the town with a love of music.
The show also featured MMI students Eric Kabitzke as the conductor, Catherine Havrilla as Alma Hix, Jacqueline Snyder as Amaryllis, Christopher Snyder as Charlie Cowell, Chava Kornblatt as Ethel Toffelmier, Erin Sari as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, Benjamin Gittleman in dual roles as a traveling salesman and farmer, Chiara DeMelfi as the farmer’s wife, Luke Yamulla as Marcellus Washburn, Madison Luchi as Mrs. Paroo, Gabriella DeMelfi as Mrs. Squires, Sarah Moyer as Maud Dunlop, Adam Tron as Jacey Squires, Garrett Kost as Ewart Dunlop, Dylan Slusser as Oliver Hix, Andrew Decker as Olin Britt, Peter Walko as Winthrop Paroo, Evan Dryfoos as Mayor Shinn, Llewellyn Dryfoos in dual roles as a traveling salesman and Constable Locke, Kyle Falatko as Tommy Djilas, Kaitlyn Bellizia as Zaneeta Shinn, and Millie Symbula as Gracie Shinn. The River City ladies were played by Athena Nicholas, Stephanie Zellner, Lois Polashenski, Alyssa Sweda, Amanda Kalada-Kania, Lauren Herman, and Elise Hreha. Playing the River City kids were Paige Machulsky, Emily Ryan, Charles Dick, James Kelly, and Benjamin Putnam. Traveling salesmen and River City men were Daniel DeMelfi, Andrew Decker, and Wesley Guarneri. The student director of the production was Luke Yamulla. Choreography was by Lindsey Walko and Luke Yamulla.
This Prepper Playhouse production is under the guidance of MMI Drama Program Director Joanne Oakum. Joan Moyer serves as music director and Lisa Ferry is art director.
“The Music Man” is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
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