‘The Music Man’ on Coronado-Perfect!
I found it difficult to stay in my seat. My feet were tapping and I wanted to get up and move. I was taken in and I wasn’t the only one. ‘The Music Man’, the play currently being held at Lamb’s Players Theater on Coronado is the type of play that stirs your soul and makes you tap your feet and snap your fingers.
Moving with the rhythm is what the writer, Meredith Willson, had in mind. Using rhythm, rather than rhyme to create his music, he created a play that is unique, fun and memorable.
Mr. Willson takes us all to the heartland of American in 1911. The setting is a small town filled with simple minded town folk, not open to new people let alone new ideas. But one man, Professor Harold Hill, not only brings new ideas, but opens their hearts as well. Starting out with only the intention to swindle these simple people out of a few dollars, he “gets his foot caught in the door”, and falls in love with Marion, “the librarian”. He becomes destined to be a piece of the fabric in this small town.
This play, normally a big Broadway production was really something special on this rather small stage. However, the players at Lamb’s are accustomed to this space, and have used it brilliantly for 40 glorious years. Utilizing every square inch, the actors use the stage, aisles and staircases allowing the audience to feel almost part of the show.
I must admit when I first sat down I had my doubts. How were they going to pull this off? A big production performed on a stage probably a quarter of the size it’s normally performed on. But they did it, and they did it superbly. The opening song, which set the toe-tapping tone was perfectly done. We saw six men, sitting on suitcases on an otherwise empty stage. But these wonderful actors through song and movement helped us to envision the train they were riding on, making us fellow passengers. Next stop, River City, Iowa.
I was also concerned about the actor playing Professor Harold Hill. I, like so many others, have seen the Hollywood movie production of ‘The Music Man’. The film cast the great Robert Preston in the role of Harold, and what a captivating performance he gave. He left big shoes to fill. Everyone that saw the movie would be comparing the roles, expecting the movie. To my delight, I went through the whole play realizing I hadn’t. Mr. Rick D. Meads, the actor who played Harold, did a wonderful job. I didn’t even think about the movie. Mr. Meads held his own beautifully and he mesmerized me. I fell in love with him as quickly as Marian did, and with these songs and dance numbers who wouldn’t?
‘Seventy Six Trombones’ alone got me wanting to get up and join the cast on stage. Not to mention the foot stomping ‘Trouble’, which practically pulled me out of my seat. Obviously I wasn’t the only audience member to feel this way. There was a short discussion between Harold and Marian about whistling, after which a young viewer started to whistle. Clearly he too, wanted to be part of the show. A young girl in the audience, was clearly inspired by the lovely Marian, played by Sandy Campbell. The young lady, perhaps unbeknownst to her, was trying to sing the high notes with Marian. She’s a future actress, no doubt.
Walking away from the theater I listened to some of the comments by others. “Marvelous”, said one woman. “That was wonderful”, said her companion. A small boy, raising and lowering his hand like a baton, was leading his own boy’s band, I’m sure for the whole march home. Young girls were thinking in their heads of singing ‘Goodnight My Someone’ and envisioning that special boy from school. All of the patrons, young and old, walked away thrilled by the performance, appreciating the actors who performed so well in such an intimate space. Many of them, I’m sure, vowing to come back soon. My mother in law, who joined me that night, couldn’t stop commenting on Kerry Meads performance as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn. She was over-the-top funny and, as always, a complete joy to watch. As were all the performances.
As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and this play will do just that on July 24th. Like all the plays done here, this one will put into the theaters history books. Hopefully it will be brought back again soon. Perhaps next year? Until then, I will happily continue to patronize this theater. The people are overwhelmingly talented, warm and friendly and the theater is as charming and beautiful as this lovely island. Great theater is worth supporting, and this is one great theater.
“Oh, is that the Wells Fargo stage coming in to town to bring me something special?” I hope it’s a new play half as wonderful as this one. I’m certain it will be.
http://vickitravels.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/the-music-man-on-coronado-perfect/
