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MEREDITH WILLSON’S “THE MUSIC MAN” OPENS IN VALLEJO An affectionate paean to Small-town , U.S.A. of a bygone era, Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City , Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize – this despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by final curtain’s fall. Vallejo Music Theatre opens its 42nd Season with this award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway classic; an all-American institution, thanks to quirky characters, charmingly predictable dramatic situations, and one-of-a-kind, nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads which have become popular standards. By turns wicked, funny, warm and romantic and touching, “The Music Man” is family entertainment at its best. The show originally opened 12/19/1957 and ran for 1375 performances at the Majestic Theatre in New York City . VMT’s production is directed by Michael Manley of Sacramento, musical direction (vocals) by Don Atwater, Vallejo, musical direction (instrumental) Wayne Goodman, Vallejo and choreography by Jo Nash of Benicia . The cast features Barbara Pond of Vallejo and San Francisco as the soaring soprano ingénue. The devilish salesman Harold Hill is played by Donald Atwater of Vallejo. With a multitude of parts for young and older performers and children VMT features Michael Mautner of Napa as Charlie Cowell, John Chapin of Pinole as Mayor Shinn, Kathleen Kravets of Vallejo as the irrepressible Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn and their daughter Zaneeta played by Ella Pennington of Benicia. The barbershop quartet, all from Davis include Rick Price, Wayne Raymond, William Alterton and Andy Hyun. Dan Garfinkle of Lafayette is Marcellus Washburn, Kiernan Morgan of Vallejo is Tommy Djilas, Peg Healy of Albany is Mrs. Paroo, Bunny Nash of Benicia is Amaryllis and Michael Logoteta of Vallejo is making his stage debut with VMT as Winthrop . Sarah Mautner of Napa is Gracie Shinn, Linnea Von Ahn of Vallejo is Alma Hix, Sheila Atwater of Vallejo is Ethel Tofflemier, Jennifer Preciado of Vallejo is Mrs. Squires and Gene Cismowski of Vallejo is Constable Locke River City Townspeople and kids include Vallejoans Josh Atwater, Emily Broderick, Jesse Calda, Jessica Cismowski, Lee Ann D’Amato, Kevin DeCaccia, Elizabeth & Sabrina Fernandez, Renee Orth, Salvatore Petersen, Nolan Roberts, Alouisa Sahagun and Jake Strickler. From American Canyon, Viviana Diaz; from Vacaville, David Cushing, Brian Knight, Julianna Kohley; from Napa, Russell Emerson, Alec & Shelby Higginbotham; from Benicia, Elizabeth Ferdinandi, Nancy & Dean Gilman; from Fairfield, Matthew Gracy, Candis Hanson and from Suisun City Jamie Heintz. “The Music Man” has a soft opening Friday, July 11 at the Fetterly Playhouse for the Arts, 3467 Sonoma Boulevard, Suite 10 in Vallejo. Saturday, July 12 Opening Night Gala “76 Trombones,” features dinner catered by City Lights Catering, auctions and raffles and the show. Gala tickets are $60 per person and the seating is limited; reservations are required. The Gala evening begins at 6:00 PM with wine tasting, dinner at 6:30 and the show at 8:00 pm. All other performances, including July 11, 18, 29, 25 & 26 have curtains at 8PM. Matinees July 13, 20 and 27 have curtains at 2:00 PM. Admission for all regular performances including evenings and matinees is $23 general admission, $20 for fixed income and military and $16 for students. Children 5 and under are admitted free; discounts for groups of 10 or more are offered for all performances except the gala. For reservations and information call 707.649.2787; email info@vallejomusictheatre.org or mail to P. O. Box 186 , Vallejo , CA 94590 . | |
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