WVPT to present ‘The Music Man’
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia Public Theatre (WVPT) will present its final show of the 2002 summer season, Meredith Willson’s Broadway musical classic, “The Music Man” Tuesday through Sunday, Aug. 6-11. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Wednesday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
“The Music Man” is directed by Bob Durkin.
Musical direction is provided by Brian K. Moats and choreography by Paula Sloan.
In this funny and romantic musical, con man Harold Hill convinces the residents of River City, Iowa, to form a boys’ band to offset the corrupt influences of the town’s billiards parlor.
Self-proclaimed “Professor” Hill raises a few suspicions about his motives and his methods, including those of Marian Paroo, the town’s unmarried librarian and piano teacher.
Memorable songs from “The Music Man” include, “Goodnight My Someone,” “Til There Was You,” “Ya Got Trouble” and the ever popular, “Seventy-six Trombones.”
Tom Demenkoff, returning for his fifth season at WVPT, stars as Professor Harold Hill. He was seen earlier this season as John Utterson in “Jekyll & Hyde.”
Demenkoff has made appearances on such television shows as “Ed” and the Emmy award-winning “Law & Order.” He also appeared in the original Broadway production of “Grease” and original off-Broadway production of “Godspell.”
Rounding out the cast is Michelle Dawson as Marian Paroo. Dawson just finished playing the role of “Lucy” in Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera’s production of “Jekyll & Hyde” and has performed on Broadway in such productions as “Ragtime” and the recent revival of “Showboat.”
The production will also feature performances by Men of Accord, a local barbershop quartet.
Director Bob Durkin previously directed “Forever Plaid” at WVPT.
The original 1957 Broadway production of “The Music Man” won eight Tony Awards, including best musical.
The recent Broadway revival received six Tony nominations and won two Outer Critic Circle Awards.
For tickets, call 304-599-6785 or 1-877-999-9878 outside the 304 area code or visit the WVPT box office, located inside the Red Gate at the West Virginia University (WVU) Coliseum. WVPT performs in an air-conditioned, wheelchair accessible European Theatre Festival structure located adjacent to the WVU Coliseum.
Information can also be obtained from www.wvpublictheatre.org.