Highland offers 'The Music Man'
By Valerie Walker
Highland School’s spring musical takes the stage this weekend with a slick traveling salesman, catchy songs and swinging dance numbers. What more could you want?
Written by Meredith Willson, “The Music Man” is a classic play that was turned into a film. With its sweet story line and songs that get stuck in your head so easily they seem to be made out of lyrical superglue, the musical has woven itself into the fabric of American pop culture.
Think about it. First of all, there’s “Trouble.” As in, “We’ve got trouble, right here in River City.” And what about “Till There Was You,” the only show tune the Beatles ever deemed worthy to cover and record.
With all those great songs come great dances — which offers a mixed bag for some of the actors.
“It’s been kind of hard memorizing all the steps, but it’s a good experience,” said Highland junior Alex Harris. Harris, who plays traveling salesman “Professor” Harold Hill, admitted he felt like he was starting to become one with his character, slipping unintentionally into Hill-speak during everyday conversations.
Describing Hill as “light on his feet” both physically and mentally, Harris said, “He gets in a lot of trouble, especially toward the end.” Thanks to his charm and slick wit, the character always seems to wriggle out of tight spots, Harris said.
The major cause of all the trouble, of course, is that Hill is a swindler who travels from town to town convincing parents to hand over their money in exchange for an amazing and overnight musical education for their children. Hill’s mode of operation has always been to take the money and run, but once he arrives in River City, he finds one sticky situation from which he can’t — and doesn’t really want to — escape. It’s the tightest bond of all: love.
Her name is Marian Paroo. In this production, Highland senior Somer Flanagan takes on the role of Marian the Librarian. Flanagan described her character as “abrasive,” noting that she is the first person in town to see Professor Hill for the scam artist he is.
Still, Marian falls in love with the morally challenged salesman, and the transformation this provokes in her is Flanagan’s favorite part of the play. “I like the ride,” she said.
Highland’s production of “The Music Man” presented some unique opportunities for the school. It is a family production in the truest meaning of the phrase, with several parent-child duos working together on the project. John Krumich has enjoyed working with his daughter, Phoebe, as has Rick Laimbeer with his daughter, Margot, and Michele Daniel-Shenk with her son, Hunter.
This is also the first time all three school divisions will be represented in one production.
“It’s the biggest show we’ve ever done,” stage manager and set designer Virginia Berg said. Berg designed, constructed and painted the sets for the last three shows at Highland. “There are so many pieces to the sets, and they’re so big,” she said. There are also some new technical aspects in this show that the crew can’t wait to unveil, but they are careful not to give away any spoilers.
One thing the students will share, though, is their love for the whole theatrical experience.
“It’s an odd paradox,” Harris said. “It’s self-expressive, but at the same time it’s a way to get out of yourself.”
“We put a ton of work into it, but it’s a blast,” Flanagan said. “And behind the scenes, we’re just a bunch of crazy kids who get to put on makeup and wear costumes.”
“The Music Man” opened at the Highland School Center for the Arts March 6, with additional shows set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9. Tickets are available at the door and cost $10 for adults and $5 for students.