YA GOT NO TROUBLE
Written: Sep 18 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: GREAT ACTING, LIVELY MUSIC AND DANCING
Cons: NONE
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| rovron's Full Review: The Music Man |
Recently, while in New York, I was lucky enough to see Meredith's Wilson's Broadway Hit "The Music Man", starring Craig Bierko as Harold Hill and Rebecca Luker as Marian Paroo.
The play takes place in July, of 1912 when a traveling salesman/con artist, named Professor Harold Hill comes to Rock Island, Iowa to sell band instruments with a promise of forming and instructing a boy's band. He pretends to be a Professor of Music, but actually has no idea how to even read music, let alone teach it. He has a new system to teach music, that he calls the think system. He seems to get the whole town excited about the promise of a band, except for the town's librarian and piano teacher, Marian Paroo.
Professor Hill spins his web of deception on the townspeople, including the members of the school board. He avoids the school board members getting his credentials by turning the foursome into a barbershop quartet. He keeps the ladies of the town busy and away from talking about Marian by asking the Mayor's wife Eulalie McKechnew Shinn, to head up a dance group for the Ice Cream Social. While all this craziness is going on, he finds himself actually falling in love with Marian and she with him.
The townspeople finally find out that Professor Hill has been dishonest. They handcuff him and arrest him. Mayor Shinn condemns him, but Marian speaks up and tells the town that even though he might be a fake, he brought happiness to a otherwise dull, miserable place. As judgement is about to be passed, the kids from the band arrive in uniform and Professor Hill attempts to demonstrate his "think system". Even though the performance is pretty bad, the townspeople love it and all is forgiven.
The performances, are incredible. If you close your eyes and just listen to Craig Bierko's voice of Professor Harold Hill, you would think you were listening to Robert Preston, the original Music Man of both stage and screen. His actions and movements couldn't have been more exact. I should know, because I have watched the movie with Robert Preston hundreds of times, since I was a child.
Rebbeca Luker, has a wonderful voice and even resembles Shirley Jones, the original Marian in the play and movie. Professor Hill's friend Marcells Washburn, played by Max Casella surprised me. I knew I had seen him before, and realized about an hour into the show, that he use to be the best friend of "Douggie Howser,MD", (a TV show from the '80's). His character was done really well. Mayor Shinn was played by Paul Benedict of "The Jefferson's" fame (TV show).
The play is for all ages. You can't help but walk away singing Seventy Six Trombones, Ya Got Trouble, Shipoppi, Til There Was You, etc...
The seats cost us about $85.00, but I feel it was well worth it to forget your troubles for a few hours and just relax and be happy, with happy, upbeat music. I highly recommend this show!!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rovron
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Member: Rhonda K.
Location: Coral Springs, Florida
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
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