An upcoming musical will take audiences on a journey to small-town Iowa in 1912 to witness the redemption of a con artist thanks to the power of love. Students from Windham High School will present “The Music Man,” with performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and Nov. 14 and again Nov. 20 and 21, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 and Nov. 22.
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| The student cast of 'The Music Man' rehearses at Windham High School's Performing Arts Center in advance of the performances of the legendary musical at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, and again Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15 and Nov. 22. COURTESY PHOTO |
The salesman, Harold Hill, soon finds himself entangled in small town life, falling in love, and unable to plot against the people he has come to care for.
“He becomes involved in the day-to-day happenings of the town and, in essence, becomes stuck and cannot escape,” Juergens said. “He’s become involved in the town and romantically involved with the librarian.”
Maddy Sabine, a WHS junior who will play the librarian Marian Paroo in the production, says she loves her character and her growth as the story continues.
“She is a confident and independent woman who grows so much throughout the show,” she said. “Marion starts off sheltered but becomes a more outgoing person when introduced to Harold.”
The show was chosen as it met several criteria, Juergens said, including having a cast large enough to support the school’s talent and being an essential part of a musical theater education.
The students are excited about getting to perform such a famous show. It was written by Meredith Wilson and won five Tony Awards during its run on Broadway, beginning in 1957.
“Almost everyone has heard of it, and it uses a different type of arrangement than many other shows,” said WHS senior Ashlynn Cuthbert, who will play the role of Mrs. Paroo in the show. “It’s a classic.”
Rehearsals for the show began as soon as students returned to school in September, thanks to an audition process held before students left for summer vacation in June.
“We audition before school gets out so that during the summer the principals can get their scripts and start learning their lines,” Juergens explained. “When we hit the ground in September, we’re ready to go.”
The practice sessions hit a peak last weekend when the first run-through with costumes and sets showed that the students are nearly ready to perform for audiences.
“Saturday was the first time they were all in costumes and we used all the set pieces, and that’s always an adventure of ‘where are my tights’ and ‘who’s got my hat’ and ‘why is this giant set piece in my way,’” Juergens said. “That is always a big rehearsal with the costumes and the sets. I think we’re in a good place.”
The students share the excitement of the impending performances and are looking forward to showing off their efforts to audiences.
“We’ve seen small parts of the show, but we want to see the full story come alive,” Cuthbert said. “I think we are excited to see the show come together.”
The work and effort make the debut of the show more meaningful for the students.
“The cast is amazing,” Sabine said. “The hard work and time we have to put into it has really paid off. The cast and crew have put so much hard work into making it so great, which is why I am so excited to do this show.”
Other cast members agree.
“I really enjoy The Music Man. It has so many fun parts and dances, funny lines that are said.,” said WHS senior Leanna Rogers, who is playing Zanneta Shinn, the town mayor’s eldest daughter. “I think what excites me the most is for people to come see all the hard work we put in.”
WHS senior Brenna Small, playing Alma Hix in the show, says that the cast’s energy brings a special element to the stage.
“The relationships in the cast keep energy high on stage and it helps create a community that feels like a family outside of the rehearsal space,” she said. “I love the energy and connections between each and every character, and all of the opportunities to dance, sing, and act.”
Behind the scenes, Aiden Hall will be running the light board to control the lighting effects in the show, while Elyse Sylvia operates the sound. Sawyre Grendell and Ari Green will head the backstage crews responsible for the sets, props, and all the details that help a show run smoothly.
Tickets for the show will only be available at the door, with adult tickets costing $15 and children, seniors and student tickets reduced to $13. Payment may only be made by cash or check. <
