'Music Man' arrives at Show Palace

Experienced cast promises to do justice to much-loved show.

By BARBARA FREDRICKSEN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 30, 2000

Just as the revival of Meredith Willson's classic The Music Man becomes the talk -- and the toast -- of Broadway, the Show Palace Dinner Theatre launches its own version on July 7.

The Music Man is the endearing story of traveling salesman/con man Harold Hill's visit to a small town in Iowa in 1912, where he meets the prim but romantic Marian Paroo, keeper of the local library. Hill hopes to convince the townsfolk to buy overpriced musical instruments and band uniforms for their musically-challenged kids, and then to seduce the spinster librarian and get out of town, but his encounters with Marian give him second thoughts.

Along the way, the audience meets a charming cast of scoundrels, simpletons and sweethearts, each with his or her own little scheme, and gets to hear all those hummable, lovable Willson tunes: 'Til There Was You, Goodnight, My Someone, Lida Rose, and, of course, Seventy-Six Trombones.

The original show debuted in 1957 and ran for 1,375 performances. Since then, it has become a favorite of touring companies, summer stock, community theaters and schools. It was made into a movie in 1962, with its Broadway star, Robert Preston, in the lead. The Broadway revival opened April 27.

With a cast of 36 experienced actors -- topped by New York singer/dancer Jodi Lynne Sylvester as Marian the librarian and Joe Lawrence as the beguiling cad, "Professor" Harold Hill -- the Show Palace production promises to do justice to what is unquestionably one of the most beloved shows of all time.

"I am so pleased with this cast, with everyone in this show," said director Jimmy Ferraro. "And Jodi Lynne -- just wait 'til you see her."

Co-producer Nick Sessa agrees. "She is beautiful -- and what a voice."

Ms. Sylvester just wound up a stint as the lead in the off-Broadway show Swamp Fever. As soon as The Music Man closes, she's off to play Elsa in the national touring company production of The Sound of Music. She's been on HBO's Sex and the City and toured with pop singer Sheena Easton in Man of La Mancha.

Lawrence, the Palace's first full-time resident actor, was most recently seen as the King in The King and I and as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in the record-setting Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He made his Palace debut as Georges in the popular La Cage aux Folles last year, and followed up as the character actor Rooster in Annie, the villainous Jud in Oklahoma!, the crusty Julian Marsh in 42nd Street and a featured role in the 1999 summer musical revue, God Bless Irving.

Linda L. Lindsey, last seen as Jewel in Best Little Whorehouse, plays Marian's mom Mrs. Paroo. Tommy Frain, who was Louis in The King and I, plays Marian's troubled little brother, Winthrop Paroo, a role played by a very young Ronnie Howard in the movie.

Actor/singer Dalton M. Benson plays Marcellus Washburn, the Professor's sidekick who is looking for a girl who is a Shapoopi -- whatever that is. Benson was recently seen as the self-righteous television report Melvin P. Thorpe in Best Little Whorehouse and as the master of ceremonies in Cabaret at Stage West Community Playhouse.

The cast is rounded out with Palace newcomer Candler Budd as Mayor Shinn; Susan Haldeman (Sister Robert Anne in Nunsense) as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn; Colorado actor Scott Wright as Ewart Dunlop; Best Little Whorehouse narrator Mark Mann as Oliver Hix; seasoned actor Craig Lindell as Olin Britt, and a couple of dozen other actors, young and otherwise.

Colorado dancer Scott Wright makes his debut at the Palace as choreographer for the show, with Bill Cusick as music director and Tom Hansen as set designer and technical director.

At a glance

• WHAT: The Music Man

• WHERE: Show Palace Dinner Theatre, 16128 U.S. 19, Hudson

• WHEN: Weekends July 7-Aug. 13. Shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays. Doors open two hours before each show for cash bar and buffet.

• TICKETS: Adults, dinner and show, $35.95; show only, $24.95; age 12 and younger, dinner and show, $19.95; show only, $14.95, all plus tax, tip and handling charge. Call 863-7949 in west Pasco; (888) 655-7469 elsewhere.

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