76 tromebones and the big bass drum are getting louder, as the The Music Man is set to open Friday, September 10-26, at the Springhouse Theatre in Smyrna.
The Music Man was written by Meredith Willson in memory of his childhood. The characters are all based on real people in his life, from his piano teaching mother portrayed as Marian to himself as Winthrop, a boy whose life changed because of music. He wrote the charming story loaded with brilliant songs such as “Trouble”, “Seventy-Six Trombones”, and “Marian the Librarian”. Meredith himself was a world renowned musician, song-writer, and music director. When he was asked to write the musical The Music Man, he had no idea it would become one of his greatest works.
The story of is set in the stubborn, predictable, and black and white town of River City Iowa. The collision of this world and lead character Harold Hill, a lying salesman, give way for all to experience the color music adds to people’s lives, the human connection music invites us into, and the profound way it softens our sometimes hard hearts.
Brilliant leading performances from George Downer as Professor Harold Hill and Crystal Kurek as Marian draw audiences into the story and allow them to see a glimpse of themselves in the two heros. George Downer is making his debut at Springhouse Theatre and Crystal is returning again after playing Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins.
The 28-member cast is directed by Springhouse veteran and Theatre Manager Charlotte Myhre Shealy, who STC patrons will recognize from on stage performances and her previous directorial work such as The Diary of Anne Frank, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, and These Shining Lives.
In a director's note, Willson writes “The Music Man was intended to be a valentine and not a caricature…” and that sentiment was both what interested me about the script and what has guided my direction of this excellent cast. The highlight of this production, however, has been the talented team I have been privileged to work alongside. I am incredibly proud of this cast and crew and I can’t wait for our patrons to enjoy The Music Man,” Shealy remarks.
Springhouse Church is grateful and proud to have her creative genius and strong leadership directing their theatre company and this musical.
The Music Man has 7:30 p.m. evening performances on Friday and Saturday, September 10-26, 2021. This is one Sunday matinee. It's on September 26, 2021 at 3:30PM. The Springhouse Theatre Company is at 14119 Old Nashville Highway in Smyrna, TN.
