Heidelberg University’s School of Music & Theatre kicks off the 2018-19 performance season with its rendition of Meredith Willson’s classic romantic musical comedy “The Music Man” later this month.
“The Music Man” has been entertaining audiences since 1957. The plot follows fast-talking traveling salesman “Professor” Harold Hill (portrayed by Sam Stohlman) as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize. Despite the fact that Harold doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef, his plans to make a profit and skip town are foiled when he falls for Marian the Librarian (Lo Jackson), who changes everything.
The production features beloved tunes such as “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Pickalittle (Talk-a-Little),” “Good Night, Ladies” and “Till There Was You.”
Directed by Stephen Svoboda, “The Music Man” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Sept. 20-21 and 1:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 22-23.
The cast also includes a mix of Heidelberg students, local children and actors from the community: Gavin Hubbard (Marcellus Washburn), Gavin Buurma (Tommy Djilas), Kaylea Bowers (Zaneeta Shinn), Austin Buckhalter (Mayor Shinn), Madison Swyers (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), Ashley Dawson (Mrs. Paroo), Connor Applegate (Charlie Cowell), Xander Roerdink (Winthrop) and Annika Myers (Amaryllis).
Barbershop Quartet: Will Sweeney, Greg Ramsdell, Eli Rousculp and Seth Ennis
Pick a Little Ladies: Kyrsten Lilly, Caira Goldstein, Holly Dunn, Lizzie Bowman, Taylor Richardson, Jasmine Ridler, Kaitlyn Esquibel and Paige Hood
Salesman/Townfolk: Joseph Boehler, Shane Souders, Gavin Buurma, James Ogle, Kenny Beucler and Connor Applegate
Townspeople: Pree Bryant, Hannah Schoen, Gloria Gutchel and Haley Martin
Marian the Librarian Ensemble: Gavin Buurma, Kaylea Bowers, McCartney Betz, James Ogle, Kenny Beucler, Kenzie James, Shane Souders, Emma Swain, Martina Dimiduk, Joseph Boehler, Michelle Chen, Riley Gibson and Reese Lytle
It’s You Ballet Ensemble: Gavin Buurma, Kaylea Bowers, Kenzie James, Evyn Stevens, Connor Applegate, Paige Hood, Kenny Beucler, Caira Goldstein, James Ogle and Lizzie Bowman
Shipoopi and Seventy-Six Trombones Dancers: Gavin Hubbard, Kaylea Bowers, McCartney Betz, James Ogle, Gavin Buurma, Kenzie James, Emma Swain, Evyn Stevens, Riley Gibson, Reese Lytle Martina Dimiduk, Michelle Chan and Kenny Beucler
Children’s Ensemble: Ryan Arnold, Esme Hummel-Sass and Colton Sampson
Tickets for “The Music Man” can be reserved by visiting gundlachtheatre.org. Cost is $15 for general admission seating.