Curtain time for Central's staging of 'Music Man'

John Ludlam was just a fifth-grader when he took to the stage as a member of the boys' band in Magical Starlight Theatre's production of "The Music Man."

Six years later, he's in Naperville Central High School's version of the musical, this time in the lead role of Harold Hill.

"It's weird to remember what it was like to be the kid on the wings looking at the stage and watching that Harold Hill and now knowing I'm going to have that impact for other people," Ludlam said.

Naperville Central's production of "The Music Man" begins at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, April 30 and May 1, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at the school, 440 W. Aurora Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

In the Tony Award-winning Broadway show, Harold Hill talks residents of a small town into buying instruments and uniforms for the boys' band he claims to be organizing. Little does the town realize, Harold Hill is a con man who doesn't know the first thing about music.

The show by Meredith Willson is known for songs like "Seventy-Six Trombones," and "Ya Got Trouble." Musical Director and Producer Curt Parry feels he has students talented enough to pull it off and said, "what they lack in professional ability they make up for in enthusiasm."

"This is the actual Broadway show both from the pit and for every kid on stage," Parry said. "This is not a junior version of the show."

One place the need for the top talent was crucial was the quartet that has to sing challenging harmonies, often without the orchestra to back them up.

Early on, Parry handed out the music to those interested in being part of the quartet and held extra workshops to whittle the group down to four - Jackson Pierce, Alex Reeder, Ryan Lanham and Arvind Ramakrishnan.

"It's like casting four people that have to become one and that part of that show has to be in place," Parry said.

Another important element was young actors for the boys' band. It's one thing to pass off high schoolers as being older, but it's a little tougher to make them look like young children. Instead, Central recruited a dozen elementary school students to be the boys' band in the show. In addition, Madison Junior High sixth-grader Jeremy Parker plays the role of young Winthrop Paroo.

Parker, who has acted in several park district shows, said the high school students have helped him learn to focus during rehearsals.

"It's fun to look at the older kids and how serious they are," he said.

The high schoolers say working with the younger thespians has been a good experience for them, too.

"We've never gotten to have kids from the outside be part of the show, so that makes it so much more fun," said senior Lauren Kerbs, who plays Marian, "getting to know the kids and (making) them excited about when they come to high school and being part of the musicals."

The group has tried to make every aspect of the show authentic, right down to the costumes carefully researched and crafted by a crew led by Kris Visher, the mother of two alumnae.

Students also had a hand in each element from the lighting to the acting. Drama Director Mike Doman said the show is a unique chance for hands-on learning.

"You get a lot of opportunities for the kids to get a really true experience, true guidance," he said.

Director's cut

Curt Parry - Musical Director/Producer - Naperville Central High School

When you attend Naperville Central High School's production of "The Music Man," be sure you don't sit by my wife, because she will likely be reciting every word, line, and melody right along with the cast. As a youngster, her family wore out the vinyl 33⅓

rpm album of Robert Preston and Shirley Jones' Broadway recording. Go ahead - ask her to recite, "Ya Got Trouble" - she can deliver every word, probably with the original choreography. Yes, this musical is a family favorite, with songs that became standards. In fact, I believe the first time I heard, "Till There Was You," was on the Beatles' first album in 1964, "Meet the Beatles." Paul McCartney even sang it on "The Ed Sullivan Show." He acknowledged that he didn't realize it was from a musical, and as a youngster, neither did I.

One doesn't choose a show because it is "a favorite," however. There has to be the student talent to fill the roles and I know this cast, crew, and pit orchestra won't disappoint. From Harold Hill and Marion the librarian, to the unaccompanied and uncharacteristic inclusion of a barbershop quartet, the music and show has to shine. The need continues for the young talent needed for the "lisping" Winthrop - Jeremy Parker, a sixth-grader from Madison Junior High School, and the boys' band gathered from young thespians here in Naperville. Interestingly, our very own drama director, Mike Doman, played Harold Hill in my 1992 production of, "The Music Man," for the Fox Valley Park District, which was presented at the Paramount Arts Center in Aurora.

This weekend, Naperville Central High School will present a reminder of what a good old-fashioned family musical can do for your spirits. The songs are so memorable, you'll be humming them all week long - "Ya Got Trouble," "76 Trombones," "Lida Rose," Good Night My Someone," "Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little," "Goodnight Ladies," "Gary, Indiana," "The Wells Fargo Wagon," and more great sights and sounds await. As Harold Hill says, "I always think there's a band, kid" - my feelings exactly.

Cast

Charlie Cowell: Jon Michael Walters

Conductor: Brent Woldman

Harold Hill: John Ludlam

Mayor Shinn: Tom Wojcik

Ewart Dunlop: Arvind Ramakrishnan

Oliver Hix: Alex Reeder

Jacey Squires: Jackson Pierce

Olin Britt: Ryan Lanham

Marcellus Washburn: Michael Raleigh

Tommy Djilas: David Gustaferro

Marian Paroo: Lauren Kerbs

Mrs. Paroo: Kathleen Manning

Amaryllis: Jenna Crosby

Winthrop Paroo: Jeremy Parker

Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn: Hannah Lorimer

Zaneeta Shinn: Olivia Palak

Gracie Shinn: Georgia Stirtz

Alma Hix: Kristen Strom

Maud Dunlop: Emily Walker

Ethel Toffelmier: Chelsea Ward

Mrs. Squires: Laura Hill

Constable Locke: Dan Henkel

Traveling Salesmen: David Gustaferro, Dan Henkel, Jacob Kemner, Ryan Lanham, Jackson Pierce, Jake Pikula, Michael Raleigh, Arvind Ramakrishnan, Alex Reeder, Christian Schulz, Marcus Thurmond

Featured Dancers: Sara Geist, David Gustaferro, Jacob Kemner, Ryan Lanham, Jess Nylen, Olivia Palak, Jackson Pierce, Alex Reeder, Emily Walker, Chelsea Ward, Becky Wolfe

Pick-a-Little Ladies: Eileen Barry, Sarah Geraci, Carolyn Gerken, Samantha Lodge, Becca Mallett, Sydney Musgrave, Jess Nylen, Rachel Weeks

Ensemble: Sarah Bennett, Cayla Borgetti, Brianne Buishas, Sarah Bull, Colleen Cesaretti, Jennifer Duffy, Tatyana Ervin, Lindsay Fields, Sarah Fusco, Sara Geist, Margaret Henkel, Sarah Hollander, Jacob Kemner, Amanda Kukulski, Veronica Lent, Deanna Marciniak, Nicole McCallion, Sabrina Montrose, Colleen Morris, Aly Nunez, Jake Pikula, Hannah Rhodes, Rachel Rhodes, Christian Schulz, Veronica Seabrooks, Taylor Sobieski, Dale Summers, Marcus Thurmond, Emily Van, Brent Woldman, Becky Wolfe, Caitlyn Wong

Boys Band: Alex Ayala, Ryan Casey, Keaton Duwelius, TJ Ervin, Garreth Geraci, Nathan Lin, Jake Lodge, Matthew Lodge, Chad Skype, Mike Winner

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>If you go</b></p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>What:</b> "The Music Man"</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>When: </b>7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, April 30 and May 1; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Where: </b>Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave.</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Tickets:</b> $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>Info:</b> (630) 420-6834</p>