Music Man

Live Arts Maryland's season-closing production of "The Music Man" at Maryland Hall brought a pre-World War I small town to life with skilled musical direction and several memorable vocal performances. Music director J. Ernest Green led the Annapolis Chorale, Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and cast members in the April 29-30 weekend performances of the musical, set in 1912, which sees a traveling salesman/con man change his ways. Composer-lyricist Meredith Willson's musical tale won the 1958 Tony Award for best musical, somehow besting Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" that year to place Willson at the top of Broadway composers.

In Iowan Meredith Willson's "The Music Man," Marian, the River City librarian, spends a lot of time looking for love, while pretending not to. In the end she does, in fact, find it, with a huckster - a man who may be slightly less than sincere. We naturally, and naively, assume it all works out for her, that her choice was sound, that her life will be perfect. A variation on a similar theme plays out quadrennially here in Iowa, where we have the enviable task of being the first in the nation to express our preferences for presidential candidates.

It doesn't take a lot of insight to realize that Ray Charles is an extremely versatile musician. It isn't just that he has recorded with everyone from Aretha Franklin to George Jones to jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson; simply looking at such album titles as "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music," "My Kind of Jazz" or "Ingredients in a Recipe for Soul" says something about the range of music he has made over the years.But as he sees it, there's really only one kind of music he makes: Ray Charles music.

Happy belated anniversary wishes to Tony and Beverly Brulinski of Perring Park, who celebrated their 41st year of wedded bliss on the Fourth of July. The 9:00 Mass at St. Isaac Jogues Church on Independence Day is always a special liturgy, with parishioners gathering in the vestibule afterwards for coffee and munchkins. Pastor Marty Hammond co-celebrated this holiday Mass with Father Steve Watson , a Carmelite priest who grew up in Carney and graduated from Parkville High.

To paraphrase Meredith Willson, "We've Got Magic Right Here in River City" (the Severn, that is) with the Moonlight Troupers' "The Music Man."This show is a visual delight with sets that are true to Willson's story -- based on reminiscences of his boyhood in 1912 Iowa. His first show was eight years in the making with more than 30 drafts and 40 songs written before it reached rehearsals in 1957.From set design to cast and orchestra, the Troupers have crafted a star-spangled production.From the sound of the first whistle, the 24-piece orchestra under the direction of Raymond A. Ascione is a joy. The score is one of irresistible charm, its simplicity evoking a bygone time.

"The fella sells bands. Kids' bands. I don't know how he does it!" Recently, the students at River Hill High School showed us how in their marvelous production of The Music Man. The musical takes place in 1912 and tells the story of a traveling salesman, Harold Hill, and his attempts to con stubborn Iowans in River City into forming a kids' band with Hill as conductor. Little do the townspeople know that Hill can't read a note of music. The sly and crafty character fools them all into buying their children the works -- instruments, music books and even uniforms.

John Carroll School's Patriot Players will present the musical "Music Man" on Sunday, Feb. 24, and Friday through Sunday, March 1 to 3, at the school, 703 Churchville Road in Bel Air.Friday and Saturdayperformances are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., while the Sunday showis set for 7 p.m.Heading the cast is Brian Vollmer as Harold Hill. Meli Mullin will portray Marian Paroo, Courtney Reiter will play Mrs. Paroo, and Dave Callan will be seen in the role of Marcellus Washburn.Reservations: 838-8333 or 879-2480 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Paul's Players will present The Music Man at 8 p.m. April 15, 16 and 22 and at 3 p.m. April 17 and 24 in the fellowship hall of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 201 Mount Royal Ave. and Route 22 in Aberdeen. Tickets are $12 for adults and seniors, and $6 for children through high school. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation. For more information, call Mike Bareham at 410-272-3111, or Gail Bareham at 410-515-7767. Reservations: 410-734-7429.

The Moonlight Troupers of Anne Arundel Community College will present eight performances of "The Music Man" at Pascal Center for the Performing Arts on the Arnold campus this weekend and next.Meredith Willson wrote the book, music and lyrics for "The Music Man." With its debut in December 1957, Willson joined the first rank of Broadway composers. The show, eight years in the making, is his valentine to small-town America.Professor Harold Hill arrives in River City, Iowa, in 1912, to sell marching band equipment he does not intend to deliver.

STRIKE UP the band: "The Music Man" is coming to Liberty High School. Members of the Drama Club will present the Meredith Willson musical about a traveling band instrument salesman who visits a small town in Iowa near the turn of the century. The salesman tries to pass himself off as many things he is not, including a band director and a professor of music in order to sell instruments to the townspeople. Ryan Holmes will portray salesman Harold Hill and Ashleigh Vittetoe is Marian Paroo, Hill's eventual love interest and the reason he is loath to leave town even when he is revealed to be a fake.

Live Arts Maryland's season-closing production of "The Music Man" at Maryland Hall brought a pre-World War I small town to life with skilled musical direction and several memorable vocal performances. Music director J. Ernest Green led the Annapolis Chorale, Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and cast members in the April 29-30 weekend performances of the musical, set in 1912, which sees a traveling salesman/con man change his ways. Composer-lyricist Meredith Willson's musical tale won the 1958 Tony Award for best musical, somehow besting Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story" that year to place Willson at the top of Broadway composers.

Monday Blacksmith group The Chesapeake Forge Blacksmith Guild meets at 7 p.m. at Kinder Farm Park, 1001 Kinder Farm Park Road, Millersville. Members learn new techniques while working on projects. No gate fees. Call 410-222-6115. Tuesday Rotary meeting The Crofton Rotary Club will meet at 7:15 a.m. at Bob Evans Restaurant in Waugh Chapel. Call 301-897-1462. Wednesday Concert The Canadian Tenors will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Severna Park High School, 60 Robinson Road, as part of the Anne Arundel Community Concert Association's 2009-2010 season.

Children's Theatre of Annapolis is bringing Meredith Willson's "The Music Man," an autobiographical reminiscence of life in small-town America, to life for eight performances this month. Judging by the skilled acting, singing and dancing at a recent rehearsal, this classic American musical seems a perfect fit for the 35-member CTA cast, whose actors range in age from 12 to 18. In his first Children's Theatre directing assignment, Jose de la Mar exhibits great rapport with the kids, inspiring their self-confidence and drawing a high degree of professionalism.

Music man He performs alone, but Raul Midon can make the sounds of an entire band by himself using his hands, his mouth and a handful of instruments. The New York-based singer-songwriter performs at 8 at Rams Head Tavern, 33 West St., Annapolis. Tickets are $27.50. Call 410-268-4545 or go to ramsheadtavern.com. FYI Susan Reimer is on vacation. Her column does not appear today.

Here are the 2007 Cappies of Baltimore winners: Rising critic -- Tom McQuaid, Centennial. Sound -- Erika Olney, Glenelg Country, Just So. Lighting -- Christine Wirth, Hammond, Arsenic and Old Lace. Sets -- 10th- and 12th-grade Stagecraft, Beth Tfiloh, Cats. Costumes -- Steph Parks, Hannah Morgan, Abby Urbanis, Hereford, The Secret Garden. Makeup --Design Team, Beth Tfiloh, Cats. Props and effects -- Kimby Josephson, Wilde Lake, Beauty and the Beast. Stage crew -- Amy Norton, Wilde Lake, Beauty and the Beast.

"The fella sells bands. Kids' bands. I don't know how he does it!" Recently, the students at River Hill High School showed us how in their marvelous production of The Music Man. The musical takes place in 1912 and tells the story of a traveling salesman, Harold Hill, and his attempts to con stubborn Iowans in River City into forming a kids' band with Hill as conductor. Little do the townspeople know that Hill can't read a note of music. The sly and crafty character fools them all into buying their children the works -- instruments, music books and even uniforms.

When Howard County Summer Theatre entered its 20th year, it decided to produce its annual July production with a show that would be celebratory.A show with scores of cast members, lots of singing and dancing, and even a brass band would reflect the enthusiasm of a company filled with youngsters and adults, students and teachers, children and parents.The troupe selected "The Music Man," a play that hails small-town America and all of its folksiness, warmth and charm.The play opens tonight at Centennial High School in Ellicott City.

Of the great musicals, "Les Miserables" may be the most spectacular; "My Fair Lady," the most sophisticated; and "Oklahoma," the most extravagantly tuneful.But for my money, the cleverest of them all is Meredith Wilson's classic "The Music Man," which is playing at the Summer Garden Theatre at the Annapolis City Dock.The wonderful story of the fly-by-night salesman who bamboozles an entire Iowa town into supporting his nonexistent marching band is a remarkable, inventive affair containing some of Broadway's most memorable melodies and the snappiest patter this side of Gilbert and Sullivan.

The River Hill High School drama department will present the musical The Music Man, directed by drama teacher Pam Land and student directors Amanda Ogorzalek, Elianna Stone and Allison Spada. Joe Blasko, a longtime friend of the school's drama department, will oversee set construction. The cast includes more than 75 River Hill students and the school's marching band, the River Hill Marching Hawks. Performances are planned at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and at 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday.