Stratford Festival performances begin with first preview of Music Man

(News Release)

April 17, 2018… The Stratford Festival’s 66th season is off to an exhilarating start with Meredith Willson’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy The Music Man. Previews began today at the Festival Theatre, marking the first performance of the season. 

The Music Man follows a charming but fraudulent salesman who arrives in River City, Iowa, to work his usual scam – only to find that a bill of goods can be the real deal. Directed and choreographed by Donna Feore, the production features a colossal cast of 40 performers, showcasing Ms Feore’s original choreography in spectacular dance numbers, and a live 19-piece orchestra, led by Music Director Franklin Brasz, playing such hits as “Shipoopi,” “Till There Was You” and the show-stopping “Seventy-Six Trombones.”

“This musical has so many beautiful elements,” says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. “Donna has made it a massive dance show, which injects an infectious vibrancy throughout, but with an irresistible love story at its heart – and not just for the main characters, but for the whole River City community whose hearts are opened by the power of music. It’s an enduring master work, perfect for the entire family, and just itching to be shared with the next generation.” 

“The term classic is often used to describe shows that have been around for a while and have enjoyed successful runs on stages from Broadway to high school gyms,” says Ms Feore. “Something about these shows keeps drawing us back again and again. In the case of The Music Man, it’s one thing. One voice. Meredith Willson’s voice.

“Willson puts real people and real love before us, imperfections intact. Harold Hill is a con man, a liar. And yet Willson allows Marian Paroo, the show’s moral compass, to fall for him – but with her eyes open. Harold may attack with his massive charm and may have won over the whole of River City, but he doesn’t fool Marian for a minute. Marian doesn’t need anyone. When and if she chooses, she will choose wisely. And Harold, the agent of change, will in his turn be changed. And, all in the end, for the better.” 

Daren A. Herbert and Danielle Wade, both making their Stratford debut, play Harold Hill and Marian Paroo. Mr. Herbert is a stage and screen star, appearing in such Hollywood blockbusters as This Means War and Dreamgirls. Ms Wade is well-remembered as the winner of CBC’s Over the Rainbow, a reality show to find Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz. 

They are joined by Denise Oucharek as Mrs. Paroo, Steve Ross as Mayor Shinn, Mark Uhre as Marcellus Washburn and Blythe Wilson as Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn. 

The creative team includes Set Designer Michael Gianfrancesco, Costume Designer Dana Osborne, Lighting Designer Michael Walton, Sound Designer Peter McBoyle and Fight Director John Stead.

The Music Man features book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, and story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey.

The Music Man officially opens on May 29 and runs until November 3. 

Production support is generously provided by Mary Ann & Robert Gorlin, by the Harkins & Manning families in memory of Jim & Susan Harkins, and by Riki Turofsky & Charles Petersen. 

The Music Man is co-sponsored by Union Gas and RBC Royal Bank.

Support for the 2018 season of the Festival Theatre is generously provided by Daniel Bernstein and Claire Foerster. 

Explore The Music Man at the Forum

The Forum is a series of events, such as exclusive showcases, guest speakers, special meals, music and family fun, that offer theatregoers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the ideas and issues raised by the 2018 playbill.

·         ICE CREAM SOCIAL

June 16, July 15 & August 11

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Take the whole family back in time for a turn-of-the-century Ice Cream Social! Try your luck with some old-fashioned carnival games, get creative with some picnic crafts and enjoy the melodious sounds of a barbershop quartet. Features a buffet lunch and extraordinary ice cream bar with all the fixins.

Featured quartets: Imagine That Quartet (London, Ontario) and HOPE Quartet (Stratford, Ontario)

·        MAKING CLASSICAL MUSICALS CONTEMPORARY

Saturday, June 16

10:30 a.m. – noon

CBC Radio host and The Globe and Mail music critic Robert Harris joins acclaimed musical theatre director Donna Feore for an in-depth discussion with director and journalist Richard Ouzounian on re-envisioning classic musicals for a contemporary audience.

 

·         INNOVATION, EDUCATION AND ART

Wednesday, July 11

10:45 a.m. to noon

In The Music Man, the introduction of music transforms a troubled town. Mathematician, author and playwright John Mighton, Kathleen Gallagher of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and veteran teacher Neil Johnston discuss creative approaches to learning, both in the classroom and society, and the change it can lead to.

 

The Stratford Festival’s 2018 season runs until November 4, featuring The Tempest, The Comedy of Errors, Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, The Music Man, The Rocky Horror Show, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, An Ideal Husband, To Kill a Mockingbird, Napoli Milionaria!, Brontë: The World Without and Paradise Lost.

For tickets and more information, visit stratfordfestival.ca or call 1.800.567.1600.

CAST (in alphabetical order)

Linus Britt...................................... Eric Abel

Ed Gammidge................................ Gabriel Antonacci

Constable Locke............................. Sean Arbuckle

Michael Squires.............................. Aidan Benton

Tobias Britt..................................... Logan Brideau

Tommy Djilas................................. Devon Michael Brown

Elizabeth Squires............................ Zoë Brown

Gracie Shinn................................... Megan Caines

Swing.............................................. Mariah Campos

Eddie Squires................................. Colton Curtis

Amaryllis Dunlop........................... Sarah DaSilva

Alice Britt....................................... Christine Desjardins

Winthrop Paroo.............................. Alexander Elliot

Davey Dunlop................................ Henry Firmston

Charlie Cowell................................ Mark Harapiak

Harold Hill...................................... Daren A. Herbert

Terence Britt................................... Evan Alexander Johnson

Mrs. Dunlop.................................... Bonnie Jordan

Barney Hix..................................... Nathaniel Keith

Zaneeta Shinn................................. Heather Kosik

Ewart Dunlop................................. George Krissa

Mrs. Squires.................................... Bethany Kovarik

Maud Britt...................................... Monique Lund

Lillian Hix....................................... Carlee MacKenzie

Jacey Squires.................................. Robert Markus

Sadie Britt...................................... Lily McEvenue

Swing.............................................. Reid McTavish

Olin Britt........................................ Marcus Nance

Mrs. Paroo...................................... Denise Oucharek

Ian Bell........................................... Trevor Patt

Alma Hix........................................ Jennifer Rider-Shaw

Oliver Hix....................................... Sayer Roberts

Mayor Shinn................................... Steve Ross

Gertrude Hix.................................. Genny Sermonia

Clarence Clayton Hix..................... Jason Sermonia

Ethel Toffelmier............................. Kimberly-Ann Truong

Marcellus Washburn....................... Mark Uhre

Marian Paroo.................................. Danielle Wade

Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn............. Blythe Wilson

Henry Dunlop................................. Thomas Winiker

ARTISTIC CREDITS

Director and Choreographer........... Donna Feore

Music Director................................ Franklin Brasz

Set Designer................................... Michael Gianfrancesco

Costume Designer.......................... Dana Osborne

Lighting Designer........................... Michael Walton

Sound Designer.............................. Peter McBoyle

Fight Director................................. John Stead

Producer......................................... David Auster

Casting Director............................. Beth Russell

Creative Planning Director............. Jason Miller

Assistant Director........................... Ann Baggley

Associate Choreographer................ Stephen Cota

Assistant Choreographer................ Stephan Dickson

Assistant Set Designer.................... Holly Meyer-Dymny

Assistant Costume Designer........... Caitlin Luxford

Assistant Lighting Designers.......... Hilary Pitman, Angeline St. Amour

Assistant Sound Designer.............. Brian Kenny

Associate Fight Director................. Anita Nittoly

Stage Manager................................ Cynthia Toushan

Assistant Stage Managers............... Krista Blackwood, Elizabeth McDermott,

         Gregory McLaughlin

Production Assistants..................... Madison Kalbhenn, Steven Smits

Production Stage Managers............ Meghan Callan, Cynthia Toushan

Technical Director.......................... Jeff Scollon

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