Review: THE MUSIC MAN at the Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CMPAC

Having previously attended a wonderful local production of Meredith Willson's Tony winning musical The Music Man, I was bursting with high hopes for the incarnation at The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CMPAC. In a strong main stage directorial debut, CMPAC vet Matthew W. Surico - usually the Music Director and/or cast member - doesn't disappoint assembling an outstanding cast and crew for this classic show.

The story revolves around con man Harold Hill portrayed excellently by CMPAC staple Steve Cottonaro. Hill poses as a traveling salesman claiming to be a band organizer selling band instruments, uniforms, and instruction books to the trusting Iowa townsfolk. He promises to train them, too, but Harold is no musician and the town librarian/piano teacher, the astute Marian Paroo, portrayed stunningly by Shannon Cunningham, sees right through him.

Ms. Cunningham and Mr. Cottonaro are both absolutely superb in their respective roles. The audience is particularly enthusiastic with Mr. Cottonaro's rousing renditions of the iconic songs "Seventy Six Trombones" and "Trouble" while Ms. Cunningham's rendering of "My White Knight" is exquisite. Everyone is the large cast is truly spectacular.

Also a highlight is Mr. Surico's super talented creative team. The set, designed by CMPAC's Artistic Director Patrick Grossman, is enhanced handsomely by Carl Tese's lighting design and the beautiful costumes by Ronald R. Green III. To add, the first-rate orchestra, under the direction of Jeremy Kaplan, is on top of their game performing the intricate score and it is apparent that everyone is having a fun time with M.E. Junge's energetic choreography.

And so, The Music Man is indeed another hit for The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CMPAC. Is this show produced often? Perhaps; but, this should never deter you from seeing it again. This especially when you have a cast as dazzling as this one.

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Meredith Willson's The Music Man is presented by The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre at CM PAC though April 10th.

Music & Lyrics by MEREDITH WILLSON, Book by MEREDITH WILLSON and FRANKLIN LACEY, Directed by MATTHEW W. SURICO, Musical Direction by JEREMY KAPLAN, Choreography by M.E. JUNGE, Stage Management by KAREN TESE, Costume Design by RONALD R. GREEN III, Set Design by PATRICK GROSSMAN, Lighting Design by CARL TESE

Starring STEVEN COTTONARO, SHANNON CUNNINGHAM, MARC SLOMOWITZ, ROSEMARY KURTZ, JACK DOWDELL, JEFF PANGBURN, JODI SALADINO, RYAN CAVANAGH, TAYLOR DUFF, ED CALLAGHAN, MCKENZIE MALLAHEY, RALPH D'AMBROSE, CARL TESE, JOSEPH BEBRY, JOHN DIGIORGIO, BRIAN FRANK, COREY MARTIN, KATHERINE LAFOUNTAIN, PAM PARKER, LINDA PENTZ, SAMANTHA FREE, DEBORAH LINNEMAN, FARAH MARTIN, DANA ABRUZZO, ANGELA CATSAROS, JUSTIN CIMMINO, DANTE DIGIORGIO, GIOIANNA DIGIORGIO, JOHNNY DIGIORGIO, MATTHEW KADAM, EMMA MARTIN, IZABEL MARTIN, ZACH MARTIN, SARAH MINTO, MARISSA TEDESCHI, KIERNAN URSO, JULIANNE VIOLA, BOB DEPERSIO, LUKE ROSARIO, and TORI TIERNAN

For more information and to purchase tickets, please call (631) 218-2810 or visit www.cmpac.com.

Photo by Lisa Schindlar; Steve Cottonaro (left) and cast

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