Date: Fri 04-Jul-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Gateway's-Music-Fairfield

Full Text:

(rev "The Music Man" @Gateway's, 6/27/97)

Theatre Review-

`The Music Man' Is Familiar, Yet Fun, In New Fairfield

(with photo)

BY SHANNON HICKS

NEW FAIRFIELD - Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse is continuing its 1997 summer

season with The Music Man , the Tony Award-winning musical that continues the

playhouse's streak of presenting musicals that may be familiar, but still

remain fun. The second offering of a five show season, The Music Man continues

until July 6.

When it opened on Broadway, Meredith Willson's Music Man was called "...a

marvelous show, rooted in wholesome and comic tradition." Having won Tony

Awards for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, the play has since been

presented on countless stages, winning the hearts of audiences around the

world.

Its latest turn is in New Fairfield, where theatregoers have been leaving

performances with the familiar tunes of "76 Trombones," "Ya Got Trouble" and

"Gary, Indiana" swirling around their heads.

Talk about your swindlers! Professor Harold Hill wrote the book on swindling,

slimy salesmen. Professor of what, no one ever finds out, but Harold Hill

arrives in River City, Iowa, one day and the town - population 2,212 - is

never again the same. While Hill steps off the train that brought him into

Iowa with just his briefcase, a lot of historical baggage comes with the

salesman.

Meanwhile, River City is loaded with "stubborn Iowans," including one

particularly "stuck up music teacher." The music teacher in question, however,

one Marian Paroo, is not as conceited as most would believe. Also the town's

librarian, Ms Paroo continued her studies a lot further than most in the town,

and she continues to use her education in trying to better her fellow

townsmen.

Unfortunately, in spouting out names and theories no one else seems to have

heard of, Marian sets her goals higher than most River Citians can hope to

reach. Marian's determination is pushed by two things: Her loneliness - the

young librarian is hopelessly single - and her love for her mother and

stuttering younger brother.

When Professor Hill arrives, Marian's world - and the rest of River City - is

set into motion. Hill is in River City to make a killing... in sales, not

people.

His latest scheme is to bring a "much needed" boys' band to River City.

Suddenly it is most imperative to create a band - a diversion, really - which

would keep the town's youth out of the pool hall. Of course, all these young

children will need to purchase their instruments and uniforms, which is where

the smooth-talking professor comes in.

Meanwhile, Hill also woos the strong-willed Marian the Librarian; Winthrop

Paroo, Marian's brother, tries to battle a shyness brought on by a stubborn

speech impediment; the bumbling Mayor Shinn continues to hunt down Professor

Hill's credentials; Mayor Shinn's daughter, Gracie, is being romanced by the

town prankster, Tommy Djilas, who is very much looked down upon by the mayor

and his matriarchal wife, Zaneeta... Such trouble in River City.

Because this is a musical, the story is of course told through a great deal

singing and dancing. An ensemble of 39 actors brings River City's population

to vibrant life in the Gateway's production. Creative choreography that is

tightly executed and a lot of fun keeps the performance moving, as does some

very clever set designing by resident designer Michael Boyer. Mr Boyer, in

fact, was recently presented with a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for his

outstanding set design in last season's production on Tommy . His work in The

Music Man should earn him another.

A member of the Actor's Equity Association, Luann Aronson brings Marian Paroo

to life beautifully. A good choice for this role, the lovely Ms Aronson

carries herself very well, giving the young librarian an aloof look on the

surface, while privately telling her mother she is not as unapproachable as

some may think. She is just long overdue for a real romance.

Ms Aronson's voice, whether quietly telling her mother she is not stubborn,

she is waiting for her "White Knight," or singing the praises of "Gary,

Indiana" along with Winthrop (Joshua A. Kaufman) and her mother (Pamela

Denning), is superb. Watching her Music Man performance, it is not hard to

understand how Ms Aronson was able to win the role of Christine in the

Majestic Theatre (Broadway) production of Phantom of the Opera .

Pamela Denning's portrayal of the wise mother Paroo is very well done, and

Joshua Kaufman's depiction of a young boy plagued with a speech problem that

would stump even a grown adult is so well presented, the audience is tempted

to step in and help the young boy finish his sentences.

Professor Harold Hill is a tough character to play. Even when he seems sincere

about falling for the young librarian, instinct says the young librarian had

better be on guard against this slimy stranger. James Gerth injects charisma,

charm and an underlying snake-like quality into his Professor Hill. His smooth

talk wins the townspeople, but his winks and grins keep the audience on alert.

Ms Gerth's singing and dancing, as is true for everyone in the cast, is so

much fun it looks effortless. But like ice skating, there is a lot of hard

work behind everyone's performance. Jay Berkow's direction and choreography

are perfect; the work could very well give Gateway's another CT Critics Circle

Award when the honors are presented next year.

The Music Man is a fun diversion from summer's heat. A little singing, a

little dancing, a lot of talent and a simple plot line... what more could

anyone want from musical theatre?

Performances are Friday at 8:30 pm; Saturday at 5 and 9; and Sunday at 7 pm.

Tickets are $33 for Saturday's late performance, $27.50 for all others. Dinner

packages are available. The playhouse is on Route 39 in New Fairfield.

Gateway's box office can be reached by calling 746-4441. The Music Man

continues until Saturday night.