Northwestern Fine Arts to present 'The Music Man’ April 7, 8, 9
March 28, 2022
More than 60 people have been in rehearsals, building set, getting costumes and stage props ready as the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Fine Arts Department prepares for “The Music Man” scheduled for April 7-8 at 7 p.m. and April 9 at 2 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium on the Alva campus.
Tickets are available to purchase online for $12 general admission, $10 for senior citizens and Northwestern employees with a current Northwestern employee ID, and $5 for students with a current student ID.
To purchase tickets online visit https://nwosufinearts.ludus.com/index.php.
Patrons may purchase tickets in person with cash or check at the door starting one hour before each performance.
According to the Music Theatre International website, the following is part of the show’s history and awards:
“The Music Man is a musical with book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson. The show is based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. In River City, Iowa, prim Marian the librarian sees through him, but when Hill helps her younger brother, Marian begins to fall in love with Harold. Harold, in turn falling for Marian, risks being caught to win her.
“In 1957, the show became a hit on Broadway, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for 1,357 performances. The cast album was awarded ‘Best Original Cast Album’ at the first Grammy Awards ceremony in 1958 and was inducted in 1998 as a Grammy Hall of Fame Award winner. The show's success led to revivals and a popular 1962 film adaptation and a 2003 television remake. The title role has been played by a succession of stars including Robert Preston, Dick Van Dyke, Craig Bierko and most recently Hugh Jackman. The production starring Jackman and Sutton Foster is directed by four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle, and opened this spring at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City.”
Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts and Department of Fine Arts chair, is serving as the director of the musical and lighting designer while Karsten Longhurst, director of choral studies and instructor of music, is serving as the music director. Erin Davis, university relations specialist, and Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager, are serving as the choreography team. Jordan has also designed the set/prop design and joined Weast in working on costuming. Patrick Wilson, Northwestern speech/theatre alumnus, is the Stage Manager while members of the student campus organization Castle Players will be serving as the House Management team. Members of the theatre production classes helped build the set and prepare lighting. Jerad Bradt with BOSS Music will be the sound technician.
“The process of preparing for ‘The Music Man’ has been extremely enjoyable,” Weast said. “The university students and faculty have led the way with their leadership and commitment. I have so enjoyed working with the youth, children and the fabulous Pick-A-Little Ladies. There are many community women in town who have volunteered to create a variety of beautiful costumes for the cast. It takes an army to present a musical this large.”
Cast members rehearse choreography to a scene from the upcoming musical “The Music Man” at Northwestern. The show will take place in Herod Hall Auditorium on April 7-8 at 7 p.m. and April 9 at 2 p.m.
Elementary students participating throughout the production include:
Homeschool – Breaker Bradt
Washington Early Childhood Center – Joshua Longhurst and Zane Zimmerman
Longfellow Elementary School – Cade Black, Audree Leon and Jackson Wooten
Lincoln Elementary School – Joplin Bradt, Sadie Longhurst, Elliana Reames and Brooklyn Zimmerman
Alva Middle School – Frankie Jo Allen, Aiden Brinkley, River Cunningham, Dash Dickey, Avery Goss, Ralston Green, Christina Jenlink, Taylor Kline, Benjamin Kriegh, Skylar Longhurst, Merrit Mantz, Madeline Ryerson and Russell Smiley
Northwestern student and employee cast members in the production, their hometowns, classifications and majors include Angie Aguilera of Woodward, senior vocal music performance major; Gabriel Bussinger of Woodward, freshman vocal music performance major; Alan Garcia of Beaver, sophomore biology-health science major; Sam Grinder of Sayre, sophomore vocal music education major; Jameson Hale of Elk City, freshman vocal music education major; Draven Hidalgo of Hooker, sophomore vocal music education major; Kevin Jaquez of Enid, freshman undecided major; Caleb Kaiser of Enid, freshman vocal music education major; Delaney Lambert of Alva, sophomore English education major; Adria Lujan of Blair, senior nursing major; Jack Mahoney of Enid, freshman vocal music performance major; Cassidy Mullins of Cushing, freshman vocal performance major; Fernando Nunez of Laverne, sophomore psychology major; Sadrie Overall of Wakita, junior biology major; Emily Smith of Harrah, junior vocal music education major; Mariah Thompson of Alva, freshman health and sports science education major; Bethany Towns of Alva, freshman psychology major; Dr. Dena Walker of Pawnee, associate professor of mathematics; Davis and Jordan.
Community cast members include Raye Lyn Bird, JoDe Bradt, Zedan Borrie, Danielle Budy, Chris Chauncey, Kathi Jenlink, Alex Mantz and Amy Ryerson.
“It is no secret that Meredith Willson's ‘The Music Man’ is a staple of American musical theatre,” Jordan said. “In an age of uncertainty one often longs for nostalgia, and as the playwright/composer instructs ‘The Music Man’ is intended to be a valentine to a bygone era that exists only in our hearts.”
-NW-
CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu; (580) 327-8480