“THE MUSIC MAN”: A HIT FOR ALL AGES

Are you a fan of classic musicals? Are you looking for something that everyone can enjoy?

Well, look no farther, because MHCC’s theatre department will be putting on Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man” on Feb. 22-23 and March 1-2 at 8 p.m., and at 2 p.m. on Feb. 24 and March 3 in the College Theatre.

With a total of about 30 actors, 15 pit orchestra musicians, and a tech/design crew of 30, this production is definitely an elaborate one. MHCC Artistic Director Mace Archer estimates that with intermission, the performance will be around two-and-a-half hours. However, he assured that the musical will be nothing close to slow-moving.

With about 16 songs, two big dance numbers, and full-blown costumes, “it’s definitely a full-scale production,” said Archer.

Leads Chandler Duncan, as Harold Hill, and Michaela George, as Marian Paroo, spend around 15 hours a week at rehearsals – they began rehearsals at the start of Winter Term – and that doesn’t even include the at-home practice that they do for the show.

Key members of the cast will have put in a whopping 90 hours or so of rehearsal by the time the show opens.

George has been in about 13 musicals, but this is her first at MHCC.

She explained how she was excited about the levels of production that the cast and production crew can reach, due to a larger budget than she’s used to, and about having an actual pit orchestra because she has never performed with live music before.

“I grew up in hole-in-the-wall community theaters,” said George. Her – and her own young daughter’s – favorite song from the show is “Madame Librarian,” and her favorite part of being a part of ‘Music Man’ is the choreography, she said.

George has been learning dance since she was 7, but hasn’t been in a show that required it since she was in “Chicago” about a year-and-a-half ago. “I’m actually really enjoying getting back into it,” she said.

The only person who seems more excited about the show than the cast is her young daughter, who has seen the promotional posters and chants “My mommy’s Marian!” to anyone who listens, she said.

Duncan, who plays the male lead, isn’t as keen – or experienced – with the choreography as George, but he said that choreographer Jamie Pryde makes the MHCC experience fantastic. ‘Music Man’ will be Duncan’s seventh musical, in total, and his second with MHCC. His favorite song from the show is “Light a Rose/Will I Tell Him?” and he’s excited for performing on his favorite night, opening night, on Feb. 22.

“Bring your friends,” said Duncan.

“The Music Man” has something for everyone. The two leads explained that “it’s like the Disney version of musicals”: It has moments that the kids can enjoy and references that the older audience can enjoy.

Don’t forget to get your tickets in advance!