Wheaton North embraces 'Music Man's' challenges

The teachers behind Wheaton North High School's spring musical wanted to produce a show that had comedy, action and a great message.

They achieved that goal - and more - when they decided to present "The Music Man." The classic musical opens today and continues through Saturday at the high school with a cast of more than 50 students.

"We were looking for something that had a lot of parts to showcase Wheaton North's talents," said Scott Coleman, who directs the production. "We also wanted something that people have heard of."

Written by Meredith Willson, "The Music Man" was a hit in 1957 when it debuted on Broadway. There also was the popular 1962 film adaptation starring Robert Preston as the lead character, Harold Hill.

In the musical, Hill is a con artist who arrives at an Iowa town and starts selling musical instruments and uniforms and promising to provide lessons for a boy's marching band. His scheme is to skip town with the collected money before anyone learns he can't read music.

But things don't things don't go exactly as planned when Hill and the local librarian, Marian Paroo, develop feelings for each other.

Coleman says "The Music Man" is a show that teaches the value of opening our heart to new experiences and not being afraid of change.

"Harold Hill gives up his con-artist persona and settles down in an Iowa town," Coleman said. "Marian, after years of being alone, opens her heart to another. The town, forever stuck in their ways, embraces the fervor of a boy's band. All the characters grow or develop."

With lots of dancing and signature songs like "Seventy-six Trombones" and "Goodnight, My Someone" the show is a favorite at high schools across the country.

Still, Coleman said there are challenges.

For one thing, many of the famous songs have difficult rhythms. The barbershop quartet roles, for example, require the actors to know how to sing a cappella and harmonize.

"There's a lot of big production numbers where the kids have to learn some kind of tricky choreography," said Coleman, who previously directed Wheaton North productions of "Once Upon A Mattress," "Beauty & The Beast" and "Grease."

The two-and-a-half-hour musical also has a number of scene changes. So there's the consistent moving of large set pieces on and off the stage.

Still, Coleman said, the members of the Wheaton North cast have responded very well since rehearsals started in January.

"They are very enthusiastic with a lot of energy," he said. "We have a good senior cast that provides a lot of leadership."

The outcome is a production that should appeal to a wide audience, especially those familiar with the movie.

"A lot of people who are fans of traditional musicals and big chorus numbers will love it," Coleman said.

To buy tickets in advance, call (630) 784-7442. Tickets also will be sold at the door. The box office opens an hour before show time.

<p class="factboxheadblack">"The Music Man"</p>

<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7 p.m. today through Saturday, March 13; also 2 p.m. Saturday</p>

<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Wheaton North High School, 1 Falcon Way, Wheaton</p>

<p class="News"><b>Tickets: </b>$8 for adults, $4 for students and seniors</p>

<p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 784-7442 or <a href="http://wnhs.org/activities/Drama/Musical.htm" target="new">wnhs.org/activities/Drama/Musical.htm</a></p>