ALPENA — Audiences of all ages will enjoy the upbeat, high-energy entertainment of “The Music Man” at the Alpena Civic Theatre.
Meredith Wilson's “The Music Man” runs Thursdays through Sundays and, due to its popularity, will air additional weekends Friday through Sunday, May 24-26.
See this lively musical with fun songs like “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Wells Fargo Wagon,” and “Shipupi,” as well as “Goodnight, My Someone,” and “You're Here!” to”.
The cast and crew have spent countless hours in theaters bringing this massive production to the stage. That shows it.
From the protagonists to the ensemble, everyone on the ACT stage shows talent and dedication to this outstanding musical, masterfully directed by Kirstin Furtow and Nan Hall.
Mike Furtow garners attention for his role as the main character, Harold Hill, a traveling musical instrument salesman and con man. Farto, a salesman in real life, plays with Hill's charismatic charm, and his big personality captivates the other characters even though Hill's promises are too big to actually fulfill. and encourage them to dream big. Fateau's easygoing yet melodious voice is perfect for a musical of this scale.
Olivia Martin brings beauty and strength to the role of librarian Marian, a woman who marches to the beat of her own drum. Martin sings some solos and some duets beautifully. Her performance is natural, and she makes you feel like Marian, the librarian, a strong woman whose only weakness may be Harold Hill's charm.
Andrew McNeil plays Charlie Cowell, who discovers Hill's crimes. McNeil also takes on the role of a traveling salesman who isn't too keen on Hill's antics. As always, McNeil gives a great performance on his ACT stage and adds an element of drama to the story.
Several young people and teens took to the stage for the first time, including 8-year-old Nathan Young, who played the librarian Marian's younger brother Winthrop beautifully. The talented boy says his lines smoothly and sings like a songbird. His future plans are to continue in the performing arts.
Also notable are the performances by Colin Hainstock and Vivian Furteau as teenagers pretending to read in a library. She plays town prankster Tommy Gilas and Zanita Singh, the mayor's eldest daughter. Both Hainstock and Furtaw are new to the ACT stage, but you wouldn't know it from their excellent acting, singing and dancing.
Mayor Shinn, played by Matt Southwell, and his wife Eulalie McKechney Shinn, played by Linda Suneson, bring a tremendous amount of comedy to the show. Experienced actors lead groups of men and women, trying to get the public to follow their lead. Mayor Shin knows there's something fishy, so he's trying to get school board officials to investigate the dirt on the hill. Meanwhile, his wife is obsessed with making the women of town learn a special dance.
Kevin Bay plays the key role of Marcellus Washburn and gives a great performance, bringing everything he has to the stage and even getting a little physical at times. He had to use his body to hold back a group of children and took a very unbelievable fall at one point in a chaotic scene.
Pam Swope adds sweetness to her role as Mrs. Paroo, Marian and Winthrop's kind mother. She also has a nice singing voice.
Don't forget Barbershop Quartet. Jay Kettler and Bruce Michaud will be joined by newcomers Rex Swope and Harold Ruder. They bring his four-part harmonies to life, which is also a testament to the great talent of musical director Jan Martin Brown.
The cast also includes traveling salesman Kevin Bay, Southwell, McNeil, Kettler, Swope, Ruder, Micheaux, Scott Edgar, Rodney Ayotte, Eric D. Collins, and Alec Degen. Amaryllis — Fallon Gandula Gekiere. Gracie Shinn — Alia Neumann; Conductor — Bob Martin; Pick-a-Little Ladies Marlo Broad, Marilyn Kettler, Tracy Boyle, Christine Robbery. Adult ensemble members Dani Ayotte, Taylor Ayotte, Marty Cantleberry, and Scott Edgar. Teen/Children's Ensemble members include Rodney Ayotte, Eric D. Collins, Alek Degen, Dawn Collins, Brianna Jasso, Addison Wiseau, Carrie Barber, Delilah Boboldt, Alivia Musinski, and Adalynn Wiseau. I'm Scott.
The staff includes directors Kirstin Furtow and Nan Hall. music director Jean Martin Baker; rehearsal pianist Nick Stone; Pit Orchestra: Nick Stone (piano), Jean Martin Baker (piano), Mary Ann Hubbard (flute/piccolo), Christine Broene (clarinet), Dave Lawrence (bass), Randy Bouchard (drums) . Choreographer Christine Giordano. assistant choreographer Brittany Giordano; stage manager Doreen Kryniak; assistant stage manager Amber Vesotsky; landscape designer Grace Morrison; Set crew: Jackie Herbert, Kirstin Furtow, Nan Hall, Bill Powell. Technical Director Jason Luther. landscape painters Daniel Doll, Nancy Mead, Reggie Bizanz, and Sarah Heinstock; Costume designer: Mary Ann Crawford. Costumes: Christine Elowsky, Virginia Halsey, Jackie Herbert, Marilyn Kettler, Sandy Badour, Karen Brindley, Addison Wiseau. lighting designer Jay Kettler; Lighting staff: Scott Edgar; property master Judy Beyer. sound designer Andrew McNeil; lighting and sound operator Jackie Herbert; Producer: Carol Randell. Publicity/Photo: Bronwyn Woolman, Julie O'Brian, Bill Powell, Tracy Boyle. and Box Office: Fran Hamp.
Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 per adult and $8 per student. Please call the ticket office at 989-354-3624. ACT is located at 401 River St. in Alpena.