‘The Music Man’ to march into LH senior high school
Laurel Highlands Music and Theatre Department will present the well-known musical “The Music Man” on Friday through Sunday, Feb. 21-23, in the senior high school auditorium. Curtain times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21-22, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23. Tickets are $7 each and are available by calling Liz Dunham or Terry Ainsley at 724-437-4741.
Tickets may be purchased at Laurel Highlands Senior High School between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., beginning today. Advanced ticket purchases may be made by mail. Send an order form with a check payable to Laurel Highlands High School in care of Terry Ainsley, 300 Bailey Ave., Uniontown, Pa. 15401.
All tickets may also be purchased at the door. A special group rate of $5 per ticket is available for groups of 10 or more for 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, performance. These tickets must be purchased by mail by Friday, Feb. 7.
The Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation will sponsor a “Sweet Theatre” (desserts) before the performance at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, in the Laurel Highlands High School cafeteria. The cost is $15, which includes a ticket to the 7 p.m. performance. Tickets to the “Sweet Theatre” may be purchased by contacting Carol Bubonovich at 724-437-2821, extension 1021.
“The Music Man” opens on the Fourth of July, 1912, amid a conversation among traveling salemen, who are aboard a train bound for River City, Iowa. Anvil salesman Charles Cowell (Steve Hunchuck) raises suspicions about a not-so-earnest saleman, Professor Harold Hill (Tim Wardell). When the men ask the identify of an unknown passenger, the audience learns that he is the infamous professor.
During his stay in River City, Hill plans to con the townspeople into believing they need a Boys’ Band to keep the youths moral. To elude discovery, Hill attempts to woo Marian, the librarian played by Mary Phillips despite the objections of Eulalie, Ethel, Alma, Mrs. Squires and Maud (Jen George, Jenny Braum, Donna Defino, Tina Bandzuch and Chelsea Matthews).
In addition, Mayor Shinn (Brian Shaffer) and the school board members (Justin Williams, Bruce Bruish, Ryan Madison and Sam Silva) have suspicions of their own about Professor Hill’s credentials. Much to his dismay, the mayor’s oldest daughter, Zaneeta (Lauren Work), has been courting the town ruffian, Tommy Djilas (Justin Wirick). Because of Tommy’s bad reputation, the young couple is forced to sneak around to see one another.
Hill intends to leave town immediately after the arrival of the Wells Fargo Wagon, which will be bringing the uniforms and instruments. The plan backfires when Marian, who is grateful that her younger brother, Winthrop (Kevin Masek), has been talking, though with a lisp, for the first time in years, begins paying attention to Harold.
Marian’s mother, Mrs. Paroo (Kate Webster) holds Harold in high regard and thinks they would be a good match. This may be Marian’s last chance, and if she doesn’t take this opportunity, she will remain at a loss for love.
Marian is forgiving and accepts the professor for who he is – a caring salesman who lacks all knowledge of music.
The moment of question arrives: Will the townspeople fall for the professor as Marian has, or will they chase him out of town? To find out, see the show under the direction of director Sandy Castello. Michele Zamperini is choreographer, and Rick Workman serves as vocal coach. Jim Miller directs the orchestra. Accompanist is Brad Henry, diction coach is Martin Turosak. Student directors include Meghann Mikluscak, Ashley Priest, Amanda Pierno and Kim Peters.
Townspeople are Selen Whitworth, Alyssa Iannamorellia, Kelly Scott, Jessica Evans, Erin Russell, Melissa Bill, Emily Mildren, Brittany Bolen, Beth Ann Sherrin, Erin Swentosky, Christa Sterling, Anna Collins, Emily Crowe, Sarah Workman, Samantha Meese, Kate George, Laura Fischer, Nicole Sleighter, Melissa Sampey, Shania Jamieson, Karen Medina, Corey Harper, Ashley Seaton, Brianna Krch, Shawnta Diggs, Stephanie Priester, Mallory Barbee, Rachel Mari, Dana Ciarrocchi, Allision Yeagley and Emily Powell.
Boys’ Band members are Kevin Masek, Joseph Biarcardi, Cameron Chisler, Ryan Clark, Nicholas Clark, Stephen Stebok, Lucas Castell, Jonathan Silva, Blaine Salutric and John Jordan.