By Shari Barrett
Middle America, with its farmlands and small towns, has always represented solid family values. And there is no better way to experience that lifestyle than by seeing THE MUSIC MAN, with Book, Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson. In 1957, the show became a hit on Broadway, winning five Tony Awardsincluding Best Musical, centering on fast-talking con man Harold Hill who ignites the imagination of locals and wins the heart of the town’s uptight librarian Marian (Katharine McDonough) in the process. But it is probably best known as the 1962 hit movie starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones which was nominated for six Academy Awards and won the Oscar for Best Score, or to millennials as the 2003 American television film starring Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth.
No doubt THE MUSIC MAN has one of the best scores of any musical, with well-known favorites such as the brassy “76 Trombones,” “Wells Fargo Wagon,” “Ya Got Trouble,” “Shipoopi” and the beautiful ballads “Till There Was You” and “Goodnight My Someone” among many others. The current 5-Star Theatricals production starring Broadway leading man Adam Pascal in one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, with musical direction by Brad Ellis (conducting a fabulous orchestra of 18 while wearing an old-fashioned train conductor’s hat), eye-catching choreography by Peggy Hickey and direction by Larry Raben, is so worth the drive to the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, especially for those interested in taking their entire family to a big Broadway musical perfect for audiences of all ages. It’s as American as apple pie, the 4thof July, and barbershop quartets, perfectly cast and staged, making the entire production a joy to behold.
Briefly, the plot concerns traveling con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader who sells instruments and uniforms to naïve Midwestern townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. But Harold is no musician and plans to skip town with the money he collects for instruments and uniforms without giving any music lessons to the young boys. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees right through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother Winthrop overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love. And in turn, Harold risks being caught and sent to jail to stay in town with her. Along the way, we meet many citizens of River City and learn how their simple lives are changed forever with the infusion of Harold Hill’s imagination about what their future could be if they just “Think” about following their dreams.
Pascal and McDonough make the perfect “push me pull you” couple, never meant to be together but falling for each other just the same. And of course, when they finally admit it on the footbridge during their “Till There Was You” duet, you can’t help but root for them to succeed. Their characterizations are totally believable as we watch Marian go from a real skeptic to a young woman willing to forget her hesitations once Harold’s true heart is revealed when he manages to teach her young brother Winthrop (Joshua Blond) to come out of his shell and celebrate life, especially when he takes center stage to sing “Gary, Indiana” with his sister and mother. Pascal pours on the charm and charisma as naturally as Harold must have done in every town he visited along the way into Marian’s heart. And after all, isn’t it every young woman’s dream that “My White Knight” will show up and sweep her off her feet when she least expects it?
Along with Pascal and McDonough, the cast features Trent Mills as anvil salesman “Marcellus Washburn,” Lisa Dyson as “Mrs. Paroo,” Savannah Fischer as “Amaryllis,” Dani Gonzalez as “Ethel Toffelmier,” Rich Grosso as “Charlie Cowell,” Joe Hart as “Mayor Shinn,” Christie Lynn Lawrence as “Eulalie Shinn,” Antonia Vivino as “Zaneeta Shinn,” Chris Hunter as “Oliver Hix,” Jonathan Matthews as “Ewart Dunlop,” James Thomas Miller as “Olin Britt,” Richard Storrs as “Constable Locke,” L. Michael Wells as “Jacey Squires” and Adam Winer as “Tommy Djilas,” along with an energetic ensemble of 25 from all age groups who enthusiastically tackled each of their big production numbers with enough joy to light up not only their own faces but most of those in the audience as well. Kudos to the technical wizardry on display from Lighting Designer Jared A. Sayeg, Sound Designer Jonathan Burke, Props Designer Alex Choate, to the fabulous Costume Design by Tanya Apuya with Hair and Wig Design by Jessica Mills.
THE MUSIC MAN performances continue through Sunday, October 27, 2019 on Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday at 2pm on October 19 and 1pm on October 27 and an added performance on Thursday, October 24 at 8pm. Tickets ranging from $35-$83 may be purchased at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.5startheatricals.com.