The MusicMan Jr

Based on Meredith Willson’s musical comedy, The Music Man Jr is set in July 1912 when Professor Harold Hill, a fast-talking travelling salesman arrives in River City, Iowa. He poses as a bandleader and cons the townspeople into buying musical instruments and uniforms for a boys' band that he is going to start, convincing them that the proposed purchase of a pool table would only cause ‘trouble’. His plan is to skip town with the cash without giving any music lessons. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marion sees through him and gathers evidence to prove that he is a fraud but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his shyness this is overlooked and she begins to fall in love with him and Harold, also falling for Marion, risks being caught to win her hand. 

The role of Harold Hill, the Music Man, is a big ask for an adult to play but Year 9 student, Samuel Brookes, carried it off superbly. Harold is a smooth operator and con man and Samuel certainly handled this aspect magnificently. He had irresistible charm and charisma, a great natural stage presence, so much enthusiasm and the lovely chemistry he had with Marion was delightful, their duet ‘Till There Was You’ was so movingly and touching delivered. Marion Paroo, the Librarian and music teacher, was splendidly played by 14 year old Daniella Stringer. She portrayed both sides of the character beautifully - the feistiness as the librarian and the love and gentle sweetness of a sister and daughter and, eventually towards Harold. Her singing of ‘Goodnight, My Someone’ was stunning. The role of the well-meaning, somewhat arrogant and pompous Mayor Shinn was flamboyantly and entertainingly played by Ben Thompson. He was definitely kept in line by his snooty, hoity-toity and quite eccentric wife, Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, admirably played by Jess Allinson. Joe Sadler was great a Marcellus Washburn, former con man and a friend of Harold, as was Morgan Hemstock as the roguish, Tommy Djilas. As the Irish widow (super accent) and mother to Marian and Winthrop, Lydia Ross was just perfect and Archie Miller was adorable as Winthrop, his singing of ‘Gary, Indiana’ was super. The four members of the school board - Max Woodward (Jacey Squires), Lucy Jennison (Olin Britt), Lottie Stone (Oliver Hix) and Finlay Eden (Ewart Dunlop) were first-rate as was Robert Mosley, as Charlie Cowell the travelling salesman trying to expose Harold as a con man, Sydney Hemstock as Ethel Toffelmier, Jess Waller as Amaryllis, Phoebe Sanders as Zaneeta Shinn and Olivia Bell as Gracie Shinn. The ‘Pick-a-Little’ ladies, Jess Allinson, Sydney Hemstock, Eleanor Mosley, Anya Staton, Natty Brooks and Krissy Gresty were absolutely terrific and their dance was a real hoot - loved it. Great support came from The Dancers, Salesmen, Townspeople and The Band, especially when they were involved in the big ensemble numbers which were all superbly sung, well choreographed and executed. There was no set as such, the scenes were depicted by the use of excellent props and back projections and together with good lighting, sound, fabulous costumes, a great 3-piece band and of course an amazing cast it was a wonderful and perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. This is a show full of fun and to see so many young people totally focused, totally engrossed and so enthusiastically and harmoniously singing and dancing to such a high standard was outstanding. Congratulations to everyone involved but especially to Jen Lewis (Director), Jess Hutton (Musical Director) and Sharon Stringer (Choreographer).

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