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Sunday, November 11, 2012

REVIEW: A STELLAR “MUSIC MAN” MARCHES INTO LIVINGSTON FOR JUST ONE MORE WEEKEND!

Hurricane Sandy's wallop may have knocked out electricity all over New Jersey, but there was enough star power to light up the auditorium of the Mt. Pleasant Middle School in Livingston this weekend where the Livingston Community Players celebrated their tenth anniversary with a sparkling production of Meredith Willson's musical theater chestnut, The Music Man.

paintingLaboring under difficult conditions, this group of citizen players managed to pull off a polished production, despite the school's being closed all week, curtailing rehearsals and set building (right). The troupe was literally building sets as the performance time loomed!

The very first notes of the overture—played by an 11-piece orchestra masterfully conducted by Ilene Greenbaum—signal that we are in for a real treat and the rest of the performance does not disappoint. (By the way, have you noticed that modern Broadway shows often lack that piece of music that gets us in the mood for what is to follow?)

The Music Man's plot revolves around the efforts of a slick con-artist, traveling salesman Harold Hill, who suddenly appears in the Iowa hamlet of River City, ostensibly selling band instruments (and lessons and uniforms) as a way to keep the town’s youth out of trouble (“That’s spelled with T and it rhymes with P and that stands for Pool”) in the new billiard parlor that just happens to be owned by the town’s mayor. Hill is the type of man who gives traveling salesmen a bad name (as if they hadn’t one already: “Didya hear the one about the traveling salesman” is the beginning of many a bawdy joke) and he goes about his con with great style and verve. He wins over most of the townsfolk, most prominently Marion Paroo, the rather snooty librarian, only to find himself unable to leave town before he’s unmasked because he’s fallen for her, hard.

DSC_7599On an evocative set designed by Hugh Mahon, director Camille DiLorenzo marshals a large cast with great fluidity. Cindy McArthur's intricate choreography is performed by the adults and kids of River City with great energy and agility. And a barbershop quartet of John Cataldo, Marco Vergara, David Dantowitz and Matt Crawford embodies the small-town, 1912 atmosphere that is so much a part of this terrific book and score. Costumes coordinated by Saron Rondinella and Jody Lynn Sumner (examples above left) and supplied by On Cue Costumes further reinforce the feeling.

Meredith Willson's score is a pastiche of soulful ballads, rousing marches and patter songs that rival those composed by Gilbert & Sullivan. In fact, the opening number, set in a railway coach, brims with fun and energy; the salesman talk and talk (“Whaddya talk, whaddya talk” is a refrain), all the while moving to the train’s rhythm. It’s a great taste of what’s to come.

Everyone of the principals matches that opener. Mike Patierno may not be as slickly smarmy as the original, Robert Preston, but his youthful look gives him a heart, making his transformation all the more believable. He sings the tongue-twisting "Ya Got Trouble" with precision and aplomb, and his sneaky wooing of "Marian, the Librarian" is both funny and sympathetic. Said Marian Paroo is played by Danielle Meola Valencia, whose clear soprano soars as high as did Barbara Cook (Broadway) and Shirley Jones (film), especially in "Goodnight, My Someone" and "My White Knight," both of which project the unfulfilled longings of a 27-year-old spinster.

DSC_7643As Mrs. Paroo, Laura Landrieu conveys the concern of a mother for her daughter to be happy; her credible Irish brogue is thick enough to spread on a slice of Irish soda bread! Mitchell Berger is a stitch as Mayor Shinn, who mangles English vocabulary while trying to remain in political and commercial control of his town. Anne Cohen is wonderful as his wife Eulalie Mackecnie Shinn (she of the three names—always spoken together), who sings and dances as poorly as her hubby intones; she has great fun expressing her disdain for the author Balzac, whose name she loudly proclaims whenever she gets a chance. Little Zachary Maitlin (front left) exhibits great stage presence as lisping Winthrop Paroo, who hides because he's afraid to talk but who gains "confidence" to sing a rousing rendition of "Gary, Indiana," a song taught to him by Prof. Hill. And Josh Cohen (back right) is wonderful as Hill's criminal confederate Marcellus Washburn, especially when he leads the entire population of River City in a spirited performance of the nonsense song, "Shipoopi," accompanied by McArthur's lively choreography.

After more than a week of power outages, a snowy nor'easter and a bruising presidential election, The Music Man is just the ticket to lift your spirits and restore your faith in humanity, even if it does take place in 1912! Once again, the Livingston Community Players have outdone themselves to produce a professional, polished show that is perfect for ages 10 through 100.

The Music Man is performed at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School, Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, and runs through November 18, with two matinees next weekend (Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM) and an evening performance Saturday at 7:30 PM—so you won't get the kids (and grandma) home too late. For tickets and information, call Joan at 973.743.0976 or Teddi at 973.535.3141. Tickets will also be available at Silverman's, Jays Shoes and Senior Youth & Leisure Services on Hillside Avenue.