Photo images for "Meredith Willson's The Music Man"

High resolution photos are available below for The Western Stage's production of The Music Man by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey. Most are approximately 5" x 7" at 300 dpi. Just right click (or Control click for Mac) the thumbnail to download the full photo.

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Photo ID and credit: Photo by Richard Green. Professor Harold Hill: Mike Baker; Marian Paroo (librarian): Danielle Crook; Winthrop Paroo (little boy): Seth Moore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2010
CONTACT: Ron Cacas (831) 759-6012
E-MAIL:
AUTHOR: Written by Daniel Tarker, TWS Writer
PHOTOS: High resolution photos available
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLE: “Music Man” Highlights the Power of Community by Daniel Tarker (click title to download Adobe Acrobat pdf)
CAST LIST: Download cast list (Acrobat pdf).

The Music Man Brings Laughter and Song to The Western Stage

Salinas, CA — June, 2010

Every artistic venture is a labor of love. What else could motivate a person to sacrifice so much time and energy to an endeavor that may have absolutely no payoff? This is especially true for writer/composer Meredith Willson who spent over eight years writing forty different drafts of what he called “an Iowans attempt to pay tribute to his home state.”

Thankfully for us, Willson’s labor of love did pay off with “The Music Man”, a beloved musical comedy that certainly captures Willson’s fondness for both the small, rural town in which he grew up and the music he learned to play as a flutist and piccolo player in his high school band. Winning five Tony awards including “Best New Musical” when it premiered on Broadway in 1957, “The Music Man” has continued to enjoy Broadway revivals and regional theatre productions over half a century since the curtain first rose on this heartwarming musical extravaganza.

This summer Central Coast audiences can discover Willson’s love of Iowa and music at The Western Stage. Directed by Anne Marie Hunter, “The Music Man” plays July 24th – August 14th on the newly renovated Main Stage in the Hartnell College Performing Arts building.

When Harold Hill, a fast-talking con man expert at seducing people with empty promises, comes to River City, Iowa, he knows exactly how to separate the hapless residents of this small town from their money. To save the young boys from the vices of a recently opened pool hall in town, he offers to start a marching band to channel their energies toward more productive pursuits. He’ll teach the boys how to play the instruments. He’ll lead the band. He’ll even order the marching band outfits and instruments for the boys. The only problem — Harold Hill doesn’t know how to teach music much less lead a band. He just knows how to take the money and disappear on the next train out of town. Yet when he falls for Marian, the town music teacher and librarian, will he be able to continue his con job or will he take a chance at redemption? Featuring the songs “Seventy-Six Trombones”, “Shipoopi”, and “’Til There Was You”.

The artistic team behind the show also includes John Espino (Musical Director), Diane Jones (Choreography), Ted Dolas (Scenic Design), Derek Duarte (Lights), Rhonda Kirkpatrick (Costumes), Jeff Mockus (Sound), and Casey Rebecca Nunes (Stage Management).

Season tickets are always the best option. Reserve your seats through The Western Stage ticket office at (831) 755-6816 or online. For group sales, contact Ron Cacas at (831) 759-6012.

—Daniel Tarker