The small town of River City, Iowa (population 2,212) in 1912 is the target of former snake oil salesman, now con man extraordinaire Professor Harold Hill (Kirk Klemash). His ploy is to convince the townsfolk that they need a boy’s band to keep their lads out of trouble. After he sells them instruments and uniforms, he plans to quickly exit before they find out he doesn’t give a hoot about a toot. “The Music Man” at the Melon Patch Theater in Leesburg tells the story with song and dance.
The stoic townspeople become putty in the hands of Hill. His only roadblock is the town librarian Marian Paroo (Denise Truscott) who is onto him from the start. Romance between the two threatens Hill’s plan.
Colorful characters abound. The blustering Mayor Shinn (James Simpson) and flamboyant wife Eulalie (Joann Howard) lead the pack. Hill’s former cohort Marcellus (Manolo Hernandez) does a fine job in leading the townspeople in a celebration dance called “Shipoopi.”
A spate of youngsters fill out every scene. They are well disciplined and even the smallest seemed to know the words and steps in the dance numbers. Stand out performers are Caleb Renick (Winthrop Paroo, Marian’s lisping brother) and Madelyn Minner (Amaryllis, piano student).
On the secondary level, Brandon Kincaid as the anvil salesman gives a text book performance.
Although co-Directors J. Scott Berry and Charlene A. Jardine warn the audience that there will be little or no scenery, more than just imagination is needed to bring out the best in this musical. I could not shake the “Our Town” image which foretells tragedy versus the intended upbeat theme of “Music Man.”
Klemash leads this show in his debut appearance at the Patch. He struts, sings, and prances using the full stage to play Harold Hill as good as it gets on the non-professional circuit. His voice will never match the timbre of Robert Preston, but he convinces us that he is a con man–with maybe a heart.
If Denise Truscott has any shortcomings as Marian, they are more than offset by her fine singing voice and sincerity in acting.
Sound is good. Music by a three piece combo fills the bill.
“The Music Man” has a cast of over 60 which make it a picture book community theatre presentation. The show runs through March 22 and is essentially SRO. However, an additional performance has been added for a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 21. For other information, visit their web site at www.melonpatchtheater.com.
Jack Petro reviews local theater for Villages-News.com