There’s trouble in River City when a fast-talking salesman gets his heart stolen by the town librarian. Funny, warm, romantic and touching, “The Music Man” is family entertainment at its best. Meredith Willson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation. The production takes to the stage of the Mannoni Performing Arts Center for four shows only: October 31 – November 2. Featuring an enormous singing and dancing cast, hundreds of costumes, a full orchestra, and special appearances by members of the Dixie Darlings and The Pride of Mississippi, it is a spectacle that’s sure to delight. Tickets are on sale now at the Southern Miss Ticket Office, 800.844.8425, 601.266.5418, or southernmisstickets.com.
“The School of Music is uniquely able to supply all of the elements necessary to produce such lavish shows,” said Dr. Colin McKenzie, Director of the School of Music. “Pairing our incredible singers of the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company with the fantastic Symphony Orchestra is a unique opportunity that has brought our community award-winning productions for decades.”
Directed by Dr. Mike Lopinto and Kassidy Chandler, the show features choreography by Delovitt Rogers with musical direction by Dr. Gregory Wolynec. Again, this year, the Hub City Players collaborate with the University to provide additional theatrical touches, from Tammy Mansfield’s costuming, wigs, and makeup to Lopinto’s scenic and lighting design. With a one-of-a-kind, nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads, which have become popular standards, this critically acclaimed Broadway classic is an all-American institution.
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 boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, even though 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 curtain’s fall.