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Concerned about fritterin’ away the summertime? Tri-Valley Theatre Company has just the pitch for you.
The local troupe’s production of the “The Music Man” — with a capital “T” — debuts this Saturday for a three-weekend run at the Bankhead Theater in downtown Livermore. The classic Meredith Willson romantic comedy musical tells the story of traveling salesman Harold Hill trying to hoodwink the townsfolk only to lose his heart to Marian (the librarian) and his deceiving ways in the process.
“‘The Music Man’ is pure Americana,” John Maio, director of the TVTC production, told the Livermore Vine ahead of opening night.
“The American dream is used as a background for hope,” Maio said. “Mix in a con man trying to take advantage of the naivety of simple, trusting people; and it offers directors a rich textured storyline supported by beautiful, romantic and recognizable music that allows them to transport an audience on a journey filled with emotion.”
“Now more than ever, as an audience member, I want a story that gives me hope and allows me to smile. This show reaches into the core of us all and reminds us of what is really important in life: people caring for and about other people,” he added. “A family experience — for some a new one and others, pure nostalgia — filled with laughs, beautiful music and that special feeling you get sitting with a community that shares it all together.”
The Tony Award-winning musical that arrived on Broadway in 1957 and became a beloved film five years later is known for songs like “Ya Got Trouble”, “Seventy-Six Trombones” and “Shipoopi”.
“‘The Music Man’ follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a kids’ band that he vows to organize — this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by the curtain’s fall,” said officials with the Bankhead, where TVTC is the resident theater company.
Directed by Maio with Jed de Roza as vocal director and Rachelle King as choreographer, “The Music Man” will see Oakland actor John Melis star in the role of Hill made famous on stage and screen by Robert Preston.
The 40-actor TVTC cast also stars Oakland’s Rebecca Davis as Marian Paroo and features local performers like Casey McMillin (Livermore) as Tommy Djilas, Jill Vellinger (Pleasanton) as Mrs. Paroo and Sean Hendry (Danville) as Winthrop Paroo. The group of ensemble players includes a number of Tri-Valley talents as well.
“Scheduling that many actors over a 10-week period was a challenge, to say the least, especially when half of them are in school full-time and the majority of the remaining cast all have day jobs. Sometimes life got in the way; colds, flu and even covid, but through it all everyone worked diligently towards a common goal,” Maio said of the rehearsal period.
The director added, “What audiences may not know and definitely will not be able to tell by the quality of the performances is that all the cast members are volunteers. They have dedicated their time and talent to this project solely based on their love of performing. It is incredible to work with so many dedicated performers.”
“The Music Man” is set to open this Saturday (July 13) at 8 p.m. and run through July 28, with nighttime shows on Saturdays and 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays — plus an extra matinee on July 27. For tickets and more information, go to livermorearts.org.
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