MUSIC MAN …Monrovia, California

"Professor" Harold Hill & Marian the Librarian

I just saw this wonderful production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” but, sad to tell, it was only performing that weekend so too late to get the word out. Here was a huge cast of about 50 but the acting, dancing and singing were all fully professional. You might know this story of a con man who is redeemed by the love of a sweet young librarian. After he awakens her emotions, skeptical Marian is apparently taken in by this handsome smooth-talking fellow – or is she? Once she sees that the dreams he claims to be bringing are what everyone needs, the con man is conned by love and so are we.

Winthrop and Marian

            Noteworthy performances by charmer Allen Everman as (Professor) Harold Hill; graceful Lacy Prince as Marian the Librarian; Brady Stubbs as Winthrop her timid kid brother; Mary Ellen Ganley as her gregarious mother; David Conway as the suspicious Mayor Shinn; Mitch Riley as cheeky drunk Marcellus Washburn, and young Ashlyn Faith Williams, an adorable little star presence, as Amaryllis.

Marian & Amaryllis & Mrs.Paroo

Plaudits to directors Jeremy K. Jackson and Dominic Catrambone who kept the focus on the story while allowing all the performers to shine. Amazing Choreography by Paul David Bryant, superb music direction by Brigham Freeth, and glorious set design by Angelo Collado. The full orchestra performed Willson’s beautiful score under Jeff Markgraf’s precise conducting. This was a labor of love for producers Patrick Garcia, Director of Performing Arts for Monrovia Unified School District, and Lani Ridley Pedrini of Theaters of Vision Productions.

Presented by the Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center in partnership with The Boone Foundation. The beautiful 1928 theatre, that seats 1,700, was built by John C. Austin, the same architect who built Los Angeles City Hall, The Shrine Auditorium, and Griffith Park Observatory. Four performances only on July 18 - 20^th. For information: Theaters of Vision Productions (TOVP) PH: 626-831-0520, Email: ltlridl@aol.com.