Savoyards finish their 2023 season with a lively and colourful production of award-winning classic musical The Music Man at the Iona Performing Arts Centre. Savoyards last produced this musical 40 years ago and four cast members from that 1983 show were also involved in the 2023 production, including director Sherryl-Lee Secomb who played Zaneeta Shinn in ‘83.
Written and composed by Meredith Willson, The Music Man is based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey, and made its debut at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway in 1957. Willson’s score was performed live by a 20-piece orchestra for Savoyards, with musical direction by Savoyards President Geoffrey Secomb.
The Music Man tells the story of Harold Hill, a smooth-talking salesman who goes from town to town and convinces the citizens that their young people are in moral danger. He provides a solution – a boy’s band – and promises to organise one, but then skips town once he has received the money for instruments and uniforms.
Harold (David West) arrives in River City, Iowa, in the summer of 1912 and convinces most of the townsfolk that a recently installed pool table is at risk of corrupting their children. He urges them to invest in the formation of a band, and they agree. However, local librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo (Amy Winner), with whom Harold inevitably falls in love, remains suspicious of his motives. As with many older musicals, there are plot points that felt uncomfortable in the modern era, like Harold’s relentless romantic pursuit of Marian despite her protests.
Marian’s shy and lisping brother Winthrop is enthralled by the idea of the band and becomes more confident as he dreams of playing a shiny cornet. Seeing his transformation, Marian’s attitude towards Harold softens, and he eventually risks being caught in his lies in order to stay in River City with her.
Ewart Dunlop (James Riley), Jacey Squires (Jordan Ross), Olin Britt (Patrick Bischoff) and Oliver Hix (Douglas Berry) were also slowly transformed, from quarrelling members of the school board into a harmonious barbershop quartet. I loved the way that a new detail was added to their costumes, with each character wearing a distinct colour, each time they appeared onstage thereafter.
David West was slick and high-spirited as Harold Hill, and had excellent onstage chemistry with Amy Winner as Marian. On the evening that we attended, Vincent Taylor did a wonderful job as Winthrop, a role he will share throughout the season with Jeremiah Rees. Warryn James brought his excellent character acting to the role of Mayor Shinn, with a consistent American accent, and the barbershop quartet were also a highlight in terms of both character acting and vocal performances. The entire ensemble was very polished and full of energy and enthusiasm.
Lighting design by David & Chloe Harrison was very colourful, incorporating patterns and dramatic spotlights. Set design Breanna Gear was very impressive, including huge, double-sided sets that shifted to create different locations in River City. Desney Toia-Sinapati’s choreography made good use of the stage space, which was sometimes limited by the large set pieces, and costume design by Kim Heslewood was full of smart suits and swirling skirts.
Lively, colourful, and bursting with energy, Savoyards’ The Music Man is a polished production of a musical theatre classic, showcasing a bevy of talented artists from the community.
The Music Man will be performed at the Iona Performing Arts Centre, Lindum, from 23 September – 7 October 2023
For ticketing and further information, visit the Savoyards website
Backstreet Brisbane 
Leave a comment