HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-06-19, Page 19Absolutely perfect and a treasure
to keep.
The former is the best way to
describe the Avon Theatre
production of Meredith Willson’s
The Music Man, and the latter, its
leading lady, Leah Oster in her
Stratford debut.
With book and lyrics by Willson,
who also co-penned the story with
Franklin Lacey, The Music Man has
a memorable score with some of the
most-familiar, and most difficult to
perform songs. From the beautiful
(Till There Was You) to the tricky
(You Got Trouble) the pieces
complement the story becoming part
of what’s happening, rather than a
musical interlude in the middle of a
scene.
Directed by Susan H. Schulman
The Music Man is as smooth as,
well, ‘the music man’, Professor
Harold Hill. Aided by Patrick
Clark’s wonderfully workable
design, scenes and story flow with
ease. Vibrant and authentic costumes
add to the visual appeal.
Add to this a play that should be
tired and isn’t, as well as leads
whobring new energy to the
characters and you have, as noted,
perfection.
The Music Man takes place in
River City Iowa in 1912. It’s a
community with strict values and a
good sense of who and what matters.
They are wary of outsiders and
certainly aren’t all that comfortable
with the things they learn are
happening beyond the town limits.
Enter, the fast-talking charismatic
‘Professor’ Harold Hill, a less-than-
scrupulous travelling salesman. Hill,
arrives in River City to perpetrate his
newest scam on the naive, narrow-
minded citizenry. Frightening them
with the corruption of young minds
that the pool hall will bring, he
convinces them that a marching
band will save the town’s moral
heart.
The parents will purchase the
instruments and uniforms and Hill
will be the instructor using ‘The
Think System”. The problem is that
Hill has absolutely no musical
ability whatsover. Which won’t be a
problem for him, however, as he
intends to skip town once he gets the
money.
However, as he toys with the local
librarian Marion Paroo, something
happens that drastically alters Hill’s
plans.
Jonathan Goad proves to be an
excellent song-and-dance man.
And Oster is absolutely devine as
Paroo. Her voice has an emotional
power that leaves the audience
spellbound.
Michelle Fisk, well-known to
Blyth audiences, is an endearing
Mrs. Paroo, while Fiona Reid was
first-rate, and a lot of fun, as Eulalie
Mackecknie Shinn.
As Marion’s baby brother,
Christopher Van Hagen is the
sweetest Winthrop ever.
There really is no weak spot in this
Music Man. There are messages in
this story, about taking one’s self too
seriously, about the possibilities of
believing in things. But they are
gently delivered; their voice never so
strong that it overpowers the good
feelings. From the moment the
salesmen are riding the train at the
beginning, to the entertaining
surprise at the end, the smile begins
and stays.
And that’s a pretty nice thing to
have happen.
The Music Man plays at the Avon
until Nov. 1.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2008. PAGE 19.Entertainment Leisure&Theatre reviewAvon’s ‘Music Man’ hits just the right note
Mr. Music Man please
Jonathon Goad and Leah Oster kick up their heels in
Shipoopi at the Avon Theatre in the production of The Music
Man. (David Hou photo)
Thursday, June 19 the RCMP
Musical Ride appears at the
Listowel Fairgrounds.
Starting at 7 p.m. the show will
open with King Lyn Precision Team
Riding followed by the Musical
Ride.
Hosted by the Listowel
Agricultural Society, the show is an
impressive display of horsemanship,
showcasing the country’s cultural
heritage with 32 highly-trained
riders and horses.
The first known riding display was
given in 1876 and the first Musical
Ride performance was held at the
Regina barracks in 1887. Regular
public performances of the Ride
started in 1904 when a troop
performed at the Winnipeg,
Brandon, Qu’Appelle and Regina
fairs. During the 1920s and 1930s
there were two Musical Rides; one
at Regina and one in Ottawa. Today
the Musical Ride is based at the
RCMP Rockcliffe, Ontario facility.
The horses will be stabled at
Carson Farms and Auctions for the
duration of their visit to Listowel.
An open house will be held at
Carson Farms on Tuesday, June 17
from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is
free.
The show is a kick-off to the
Listowel Agricultural Society’s fair
season as they “Git’r’done with
911!” This year’s fair theme honours
police, fire and medical personnel
who serve the local community. This
year’s edition of the Listowel Fair
will take place July 17-20.
Tickets for the RCMP Musical
Ride are available at Carson’s
Country Market (one mile east of
Listowel on Hwy. 86). Prices are
$10/adult; $5/children (6 to 14 years
old); preschoolers free; family pass
(two adults, two children) $25.
For more information, contact
Elizabeth at 519-291-2888.
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Happy 90th Birthday, Mom!
Mary
Humphries
June 24th
Lots of love
from your family
You are invited to an OPEN HOUSE on
JUNE 29, from 1 pm - 5 pm
at the Walton Community Hall
Walton
Best Wishes Only Please
Come and help us Celebrate
our parents’
6600tthh
WWeeddddiinngg AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy
Len & Betty Archambault
OOppeenn HHoouussee
AAuubbuurrnn CCoommmmuunniittyy HHaallll
SSaattuurrddaayy,, JJuunnee 2288
2-4
- Best Wishes Only -
Love from Doug, Brenda,
Rick, Marilyn and families
♥
♥
♥
♥
♥
♥
♥
♥
Forthcoming
Marriage
Kevin and Shari Good
of Wingham
are pleased to announce the
forthcoming marriage
of their daughter
Tanya
to
Bryce
the son of
Vaughn and Marlene Toll
of Blyth
The wedding will take place
June 28, 2008
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
Church, Wingham
Buck & Doe
NICK COURTNEY
& DAWNA GLEN
Friday, June 27
Blyth & District
Community Centre
9 pm - 1 am
Tickets $5 Advance
$6 At the door
Dawn Dolmage & Matt Smith
519-523-4835
Elisha Courtney
519-482-8691 or
519-523-9305
For tickets call:
Happy 80th
Birthday
Jim Mason
June 22
From your family
Happy 40th Anniversary
Bill & Linda Kieffer
Sean, Tammy, Jason
and their families
invite you to celebrate
Bill & Linda’s
Wedding Anniversary
Friday, June 27, 2008
8:30 pm - 1:00 am
at the Wingham Legion
Your presence will be the
best gift of all
RCMP Musical Ride
in Listowel tonight