THE MUSIC MAN Opens Tonight at Virginia Rep

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of The Music Man at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre tonight, June 28, and runs through August 4, 2013.

Part of the "Broadway at the November" Series, The Music Man is the all-American quintessential summer musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson. The score features favorite tunes such as "Seventy-Six Trombones", "Ya Got Trouble", and "Goodnight My Someone". The story of Harold Hill, who attempts to con the naive townsfolk of River City, Iowa, and the unlikely courtship with librarian, Marian Paroo, is a sentimental classic. The original Broadway hit in 1957 won five Tony Awards including "Best Musical".

Under the direction of John Moon, the Virginia Rep production will feature an All Star cast of thirty-seven, lavish costumes and an elaborate set. Moon who has directed many shows for Virginia Rep (Is He Dead, This Wonderful Life, Nunsense, The Mousetrap, Deathtrap) served as Dramaturg for TheatreVirginia and Associate Artistic Director for Theatre IV. He considers The Music Man to be one of the most romantic and optimistic shows of any American musical. "Not only does it demonstrate the value in following your heart, but we learn that no matter how cynical we might be sooner or later we, like Harold Hill, are likely to get 'our foot caught in the door' and see how the goodness in human nature always shines through."

Choreographer, Leslie Owens-Harrington, has worked on many Virginia Rep musicals including My Fair Lady, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Crowns, Peter Pan, and The Music Man in 1996. Musical Director, Anthony Smith, is also no stranger to the Virginia Rep stage. Recent credits include The Producers, Always...Patsy Cline and Nunsense. He most recently served as musical director for Spring Awakening at the University of Richmond.

Virginia Rep is delighted to have Larry Cook reprising his role as Harold Hill. He was in Virginia Rep's 1996 production of The Music Man under the direction of Bruce Miller. Other Virginia Rep credits include Legacy of Light, The Constant Wife, Anything Goes, The Man Who Came to Dinner and, most recently, In the Next Room in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company.

Virginia Rep welcomes Amanda Johnson as Marian Paroo in her first appearance on a Richmond stage. Currently living in New York, Ms. Johnson's credits include the national tour of The Sound of Music, Music in the Air at City Center Encores!, Sweeney Todd at Barter Theatre, White Christmas at Virginia Musical Theatre, Oklahoma! at Atlanta Theater of the Stars, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Signature Theatre (Helen Hayes Nominee).

Veteran Richmond favorites include Richard Koch as Marcellus, Joe Pabst as Mayor Shinn and Debra Wagoner as Eulalie Shinn. Josh Marin and Brittany D. Simmons play the teen roles of Tommy Dijilas and Zaneeta Shinn.

Virginia Rep is delighted to introduce Brandon McKinney as Winthrop and Tori Eriavez as Amaryllis. Brandon is 10 years old and a rising 5th grader at Echo Lake Elementary School. His credits include several CYT productions including Oliver, Beauty and the Beast, and The Sound of Music. Tori is 12 years old and appeared as Juliette in Virginia Rep's Madeline's Christmas this past December and has also been in several CYT productions.

Set Designer Brian Barker teaches at VCU and operates Barker Designs in Richmond, VA. Set designs for Virginia Rep include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (RTCC Award), Spring Awakening (RTCC nominated), Night Blooms and, most recently, The Pillowman in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company. Lynn M. Hartman, light designer, is also known for her work at Virginia Rep. Credits include RED, Hay Fever, The Magic Flute, The Sound of Music (RTCC Award) and Spring Awakening (RTCC nominated). Virginia Rep credits for Sarah Grady, costume designer, include RED, Spring Awakening, and The Sound of Music.

"Celebrity Saturdays" will feature walk-on cameo appearances by some of Richmond's favorite celebrities during the Saturday evening performances and patrons can enjoy specially made local Dixie Donuts during most performances and ice cream during our "Sundae Matinees".

Ticket Information: Box Office 804-282-2620 or www.va-rep.org. Full Price Tickets: $54 - $60 Premium, $43 - $48 Standard, $25 - $30 Value; Youth 18 and under $36. Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available. U-Tix for college and high school students $15. Available by phone or in person day of show only. Student ID required. Valet parking is available for $8 at all performances.

The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a new state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired.

Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:00 p.m. pm on select Wednesdays; Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and select Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia's leading professional theater company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies, and musicals as well as classics, contemporary works, and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theater to engage, enthrall, educate, and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep Center, Virginia Rep's Children's Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and at Hanover Tavern, home to Virginia Rep's Barksdale Season.

Pictured: Larry Cook as Harold Hill and Brandon McKinney as Winthrop. Photo by Jay Paul.

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