BWW Reviews: HJT's THE MUSIC MAN

Wouldn't it be wonderful if a person had the power to conduct his life on the assumption that something will go his way, only thinking that he will be successful in his endeavors and simply go about his business with an air of confidence and a bounce in his step? What would bothering with the fine details do for a person who is perpetually on the move - a person who builds upon his experiences and does nothing more with the memories than use them as the means of fleeing towards his next conquest?

This is the life of Professor Harold Hill, the man of the hour in Meredith Willson's iconic and very recognizable The Music Man. With his skilled means of manipulation and scheming, he finds himself a man of simultaneously many and few talents. His personality and wit are what truly make people prone to his deceit, and with this in mind does Willson bring to his audience a tricky, elusive plot that Harwch Junior Theater has chosen to tackle. As part of the group's sixty-fourth season of bringing high quality and very entertaining productions to a Cape Cod audience, The Music Man has made its way onto HJT's stage with an undoubted bang.

Let's just say audiences will not have to "think" very hard about this one.

Harwich Junior Theater, a group that boasts productions of ten plays and musicals each year, numerous community outreach and educational programs and a variety of other annual events, is sure to amaze audiences with its current production. Performing such a well-known musical work and presenting it in a new, exciting way that can appeal to children and adults alike (and children were having their share of fun in the audience, which is always a wonderful thing to see) is a daunting task for any creative team; this is especially true because of how vibrant and exhilarating a musical The Music Man is, and keeping that constant energy alive throughout a rather lengthy production is no easy thing to do.

It is without doubt, though, that Director Ethan Paulini truly got it right with this production. From the immensely talented cast of all ages, to the graceful way their movements and smiles light up the stage (credit must be given to Choreographer Christopher McNiff) to the way in which they present themselves through the spot-on costumes they wore (designed by the wonderful Robin McLaughlin), this production is truly something special.

The tale of Professor Harold Hill is one that hardly needs to be told, but just in case you have never before seen Willson's musical, here is everything you need to know. Harold Hill is a traveling salesman who apparently knows very little about that which he sells; approaching River City, Iowa by train at the start of the show (it is a tell tale sign that the show will be a good one once the male ensemble impeccably gets through "Rock Island"), he is introduced as the sneaky Professor of Music (anyone's bet is good as to what he should actually be called) who creates quite a stir amongst the stubborn citizens of River City when he brings about the possibility of a young boys' marching band.

He is warmly embraced by most of the typically stubborn Iowans - all except a Ms. Marian Paroo, the city's dignified librarian. As the time comes closer to reveal the much anticipated band, what ensues between the town's citizens and specifically between Marian and Professor Hill, is what makes Willson's musical one which continues to be performed to this day.

It takes a certain actor to play the infamous Professor Hill, and Christopher Sidoli* really fits the bill quite perfectly! When people think of Harold Hill, they envision a character who is all smiles and has the power to both adeptly entice and capture an audience; yet, he is also one who is compelled to change towards the musical's end. Sidoli really does a brilliant job uniting the entire cast with his constant energy and wit, even though his character's motives for doing so are not the most admirable.

Praise must be given to Sidoli for how well he is able to maneuver around and manipulate the townspeople - everyone from the Mayor down to the smallest of children - and do so with an air of confidence; yet, what is so interesting about how he portrays Harold Hill is how he sometimes allows actual emotion to sink in. Even though he has a clear intent, which Sidoli makes evident throughout the show, those feelings for Marian (which almost seem to creep up on him quite suddenly) cause drastic change in his character, and how he gradual begins to emote and "feel" instead of simply living his life on the fly is a difficult thing in my eyes; Sidoli does this well. Not only is he the sly salesman who is bursting with energy and covered in smiles and exuberance, he is also a man who has found fault in what he does and himself, ultimately to learn a lesson that makes his character humble and quite likeable towards the end.

Marian (played by Lindsey Agnes, who stepped in as understudy) is truly no different. Not only does she have a beautiful voice and stage presence, she, too, must transform her staid, almost cold presence (as show to the townspeople, at least) into one which is allowed to emote and express care for a person she admires and comes to love. Not to say that Agnes doesn't play her character well (which she does almost effortlessly!), but I was truly amazed by how she eases into this new "self" towards the second act as she realizes that there may be some good in allowing a person to captivate her heart. What is so challenging about playing a character like Marian Paroo is that she must react accordingly to the fact that she knows how the Professor is tactfully fooling her entire town, but also begin to see something good in both him and the circumstance at the same time, compelling her to change her mindset completely. Agnes does a wonderful job portraying Marian as she does, and it was a pleasure to watch her perform!

Although I've sung the leads' praises, there are so many people in this production who deserve to be told how great they are! Kathy Hamilton as a rather comical Mrs. Paroo, Caleb Cotoia as an awesome Winthrop, Orla Delaney as Amaryllis (and I'm sure Lucie Jackett is just as great when she performs!), Bruce Reeves as Mayor Shinn, Susie Davis as Mrs. Shinn, Brendan Cloney as Tommy Djilas, Shauna Condon as Zaneeta Shinn, B. Christopher Williams as Charlie Cowell, Nick Romano as Constable Locke, Jane Taylor as Mrs. Squires, Paula Delaney as Alma Hix and Dalane O'Connor as Maud Dunlop all did a magnificent job! Beau Jackett and Julie Bray also did an awesome job as Marcellus Washburn (whom he played with such animation and humor) and Ethel Toffelmier - that lady who plays the piano whom everyone knows to be a little cooky but loves anyway because of her talent, perpetual smiles and constant oddball behavior! I honestly have to say that I think the ensemble had one of the most important parts in this production, and although I cannot list everyone here, I was very much impressed by how graceful their dancing was, how beautiful their singing and overall how this is truly one of the most talented, well put-together ensembles I've seen!

What The Music Man teaches us in the end is that people are capable of change, and that change comes about when you accept that the whole idea of change is sometimes not just a possibility, but also a necessity. It innocently shows its audience how people can fall in love without even trying, but simply by feeling and letting things happen. It is a feel-good show that cannot happen without some wonderfully well-known tunes brought forth by a fantastic band, and all should head over to Harwich Junior Theater before the parade passes by.

The Music Man opened at Harwich Junior Theater, located at 105 Division Street in West Harwich, on June 26th, and will continue its run thru July 11th. Ticket prices range from $15-$25, and may be purchased either at the box office, by calling (508). 432. 2002 or by visiting www.hjtcapecod.org.

Enjoy the show!

Photo Credit: Nicole Blodgett

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