Review: Lyric Music Theater's MUSIC MAN Has Heart and Hometown Charm

South Portland's venerable community theatre consistently presents ambitious and stylish productions of the standard Broadway canon, but in undertaking that most iconic of American musicals, The Music Man, it has demonstrated its extraordinary mettle and risen to the challenge with excellence.

Mounting any production of Meredith Willson's beloved tale must inevitably confront legendary performances and productions of the past and, if it is to succeed, must find its own way into the piece, while still paying tribute to the musical and emotional values of a bygone era. Moreover, the company must command considerable creative resources to achieve the impact of this grand show.

Director Charles Marenghi brings the classic story to life with warmth, heart, and hometown charm. Skillfully managing the close quarters of the Lyric's stage, he is able to paint the big canvasses needed at the same time as to nurture the intimate moments of the musical. Moreover, his direction of the individual actors is attentive to detail and to building rounded portrayals. While one may miss the thrill of large-scale choreography, Victoria Perrault cleverly creates dances and movement which work in this environment, tailoring them to the skills of the company. In the big numbers like "The Wells Fargo Wagon" or "Shipoopi" she employs rhythmic combinations and patterns to convey the energy, saving the razzle-dazzle for "Seventy-six Trombones." Music Director Suzanne Remillard elicits a full and animated sound from the eight-person orchestra and is blessed with a cast who can sing exceptionally well.

Jon Wojciechowski's essentially unit set with a few moveable parts is extremely elegant and attractive to behold. In a palette of pinks, greens, and muted pastels, all of which are echoed in Cindy Kerr's striking period costumes and Sue Finch's subtle, nostalgic lighting design, the entire visual effect is that of a faded postcard.

The Music Man relies not only on a dynamic central pair, but on numerous well-etchEd Smaller roles. In David Aaron Van Duyne, Lyric has a charismatic Harold Hill, tall, good-looking, brash yet winning, an irresistible conniver. Van Duyne possesses the vocal and choreographic resources to do justice to Harold's big numbers. He is electrically evangelical in "Ya' Got Trouble" and stunning in "Seventy-six Trombones," but then he is able to affect the salesman's transformation to sincerely romantic in the last scene with a beautifully sung "Till There Was You" that tugs at the heartstrings. His performance is first-class all the way!

As Marian, Jennifer McLeod matches him in the intensity and beauty of her singing; hers is an operatic soprano with lovely lyrical line and musicality. She plays the librarian with a disarming honesty and elegance, making her a striking foil to Hill.

Patty Shaw-Sprague makes a motherly, plain-talking Mrs. Paroo, and she masters the Irish broque perfectly. Angela Libby is a delightfully pretentious Eulalie Shinn, while Newton Curtis plays her affected, bumbling husband, Mayor Shinn, with humorous appeal. The barbershop quartet - Sean Senior, Bill McCue, Jonathan Libby, and Adam Gary Normand - offer a fine blend of voices and amusingly individualized characterizations. Darrell Leighton is a sturdy sidekick, Marcellus Washburn, while Wayne Russell makes Charlie Cowell an unctuous lecher. Partnered by a winsome Jenny Brown as Zaneeta Shinn, Zachariah Stearn plays Tommy Djilas with just the right blend of rebelliousness and naiveté, and he lights up the ensemble with his energy.

The Pick-a-little Ladies - Crystal Taber, Pat Moody, Kaitlin McGinley, and Rachel Scala - make the most of their cameos, as do Jeff Newick as a retiring Constable and Tom Shrank as the Train Conductor. The children's ensemble could use some more vocal volume, but they all engage with their characters enthusiastically. Alice Marenghi as Gracie Shinn, Sophie Urey as a lovesick Amaryllis and CJ Marenghi as a shy and troubled Winthrop Paroo round out the young company. The remainder of the large cast - some nineteen additional adult and children's chorus members - add brio to the production.

Lyric Music Theater deserves every accolade for this delightful undertaking. The ensemble spirit, dedication, and level of talent in the company are truly gifts to the Portland community.

Photos courtesy of Lyric Music Theater, Brandon Pullen, photographer

The Music Man runs from November 6-November 22, 2015 at Lyric Music Theater, 176 Sawyer St., South Portland, ME 207-799-6509. www.lyricmusictheater.org.

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