 |
| Jeffrey Shankle stars in Toby's production of The Music Man |
While we are currently dealing with a con man of epic proportions in our lives, another one disembarks from the train station in River City, Iowa by way of The Music Man at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia. It is always heartwarming when Toby’s features a Broadway classic, such as The Music Man, and the production does this elite musical justice.
Directed and choreographed by Helen Hayes Award winner Mark Minnick, the talented cast and crew jell in making this a top-notch presentation and a much-needed entertaining escape.
With a book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, The Music Man gives a delightful glimpse of the American-as-apple-pie culture and values in early 20th century River City. That fictional town is based on Willson’s birthplace Mason City, Iowa. The original Broadway musical received 5 Tony Awards in 1958 including Best Musical, beating out the iconic West Side Story.
Despite the confines of the cozy in-the round stage, Mr. Minnick does a craftsman-like job in helming a splashy extravaganza put on by an amazing cast and bolstered by colorful scenery designed by Shane Lowry, exquisite period costumes designed by Sarah King and Janine Sunday, wigs designed by Jayson Kueberth, and the expert lighting and sound design by Lynn Joslin and Mark Smedley, respectively.
Catina McLagan conducted the six-piece orchestra with aplomb, delivering Willson’s superb score and ably backing up the performers. Ross Scott Rawlings takes the baton in other performances.
The ingenious music combines the marching band pomp with clever numbers as well as a classic love song. Beloved songs, such as “Ya Got Trouble,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little & Goodnight Ladies,” “Shipoopi,” and the elegant love song “Till There Was You” are highlights to be sure.
But the show’s opener “Rock Island” sets the tone with witty
clickety-clack rhythmic dialogue by
traveling salesmen crammed in a train
carriage. After that number, you just know you are in for a treat. And the show’s
heart-pumping finale with an endless line of brass band members marching out on
the stage is the exclamation point to a magnificent show.
The Music Man centers on the exploits of a slick con man Harold Hill, played brilliantly by Jeffrey Shankle, as he disembarks from that train and views the close-knit people of River City in 1912 as his next mark. He starts to win them over by lamenting the arrival of a pool table at the town’s billiard hall, which previously did not have one and its accompanying decline of morality. The famous song “Ya Got Trouble,” delivered with gusto by Mr. Shankle, speaks to that.
 |
| Jeffrey Shankle, Janine Sunday and cast |
Harold’s scheme was to sell musical instruments, instructions and uniforms for a kids’ band and would abscond with the money. His problem is that he knows nothing about music and fictionalizes his credentials.
Harold encounters the town’s stern librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo (played sensationally by Janine Sunday) who has a shy, unconfident younger brother Winthrop played well by Elijah Doxtater. Marian also has a mother who is a spunky Irish widow, played by Jane C. Boyle, who would love for Marian to settle down.
Marian is suspicious of Harold as is Mayor Shinn (played robustly by Alan Hoffman) as are the other townsfolk. The mayor’s quest for credentials and other tight spots that Harold finds himself in are met with his mastery of deflection, distraction and evasion.
A complication sets in when Marian starts to fall for Harold after Winthrop receives a cornet and is so happy that he loses his shyness and becomes more confident. Harold then acknowledges he has fallen in love with Marian while the good people of River City realize they have experienced a positive change since Harold’s arrival despite Mayor Shinn’s best efforts. Spoiler alert: there is a happy ending.
Throughout the show, Mr. Minnick’s dazzling choreography that is well executed by a truly talented cast and ensemble adds vibrancy to the production. The choreography, which is eye-popping considering large numbers of performers must navigate the tight area of the stage without bumping into one another, is exemplified in such numbers as “Iowa Stubborn,” “Ya Got Trouble,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” the jubilant “Marian the Librarian,” and “Shipoopi” among others.
"...the talented cast and crew jell in making this a top-notch presentation..."
Helen Hayes Award winner Jeffrey Shankle, as he always does, brings his A-game as the lead. Playing the smooth-talking, roguish and charming con man Harold, Mr. Shankle showcases his expansive acting skills. From his passionate moments of persuasion to his tender moments with Marian, Mr. Shankle comes through with flying colors. His excellent vocals are on display in the aforementioned “Ya Got Trouble” and “Marian the Librarian.”
For her part, Janine Sunday excels as Marian. As an actress she convincingly plays the role that spans her distrust and revulsion to Harold to her eventual falling in love. Along with that, her soprano voice is astonishing. Ms. Sunday reaches notes that have probably never been discovered. “If You Don’t Mind Saying So,” Good Night, My Someone,” and “My White Knight” are examples of her superb vocals. But it is her gorgeous love song with Mr. Shankle “Till There Was You” that is one of the show’s high-water marks.
Shawn Kettering plays Harold’s old friend and former shill Marcellus Washburn with vigor. He is the lead in the number “Shipoopi” with the Townspeople. Young Elijah Doxtater who plays Winthrop is commendable. He alternates with Colton Roberts in other performances. Elijah does a wonderful job singing along with Ms. Sunday and Jane C. Boyle in “Gary, Indiana.” A consistently fine actress and vocalist, Ms. Boyle is endearing in the role of Mrs. Paroo.
Other exceptional members of the cast include David James as the gossipy Charlie Cowell, an anvil salesman who tries to expose Harold as a fraud and insists “he doesn’t know the territory.” Mr. James plays the role with his patented flair.
Dereck Atwater plays the part of Tommy Djilas, the town’s troublemaker, with much enthusiasm. He is secretly dating Zaneeta ( Julia Williams) the daughter of pompous Mayor Shinn to his chagrin. It should also be noted that Mr. Atwater is an excellent dancer as are Ensemble members Joey Ellinghaus, Jaylen Fontaine, Kiana King and Patricia “Pep” Targete.
Other notable cast members include Shawn Kettering as the Conductor, Lynn Sharp-Spears as the Mayor's manipulative wife Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, Kiana King as Gracie Shinn, Valerie Adams Rigsbee as Alma Hix, Heather Narie Beck as Maud Dunlop, Amanda Kaplan Landstrom as Ethel Toffelmier, and Melynda Burdette as Mrs. Squires.
Then there is the school board-turned-barbershop quartet transformed with the help of Harold. Ewart Dunlop (played by Carter Crosby), Oliver Hix (Vince Gover), Jacey Squires (Alec Brashear) and Olin Britt (David Bosley-Reynolds) comprise the group, and their harmonizing vocals are outstanding. They shine on like the harvest moon in “Ice Cream/Sincere,” “It’s You” and the reprise of Lida Rose.”
 |
| The Quartet: Alec Brashear, Vince Gover David Bosley-Reynolds and Carter Crosby |
For the performance reviewed, Amaryllis, a young piano student, is played well by Julia Ballenger. She alternates with Lily Martin and Ellie May Sennett.
A complete listing of the talented cast is shown below.
It’s difficult to portray the scope of a town in an intimate theater. But Shane Lowry cleverly created various signs along the walls of the theater depicting a hospital, livery, hardware store, post office, bank, barber shop and other edifices. A balcony was used to convey the outside of Marian and Mrs. Paroo’s home. Another balcony depicts shelves in a library.
Janine Sunday and Sarah King fitted the cast in spectacular costumes highlighted by early 20th century pastel dresses and gowns with feathered hats for the ladies. The marching band’s costumes are striking as well.
All the elements of a hit show come together with Toby’s presentation of The Music Man. Great cast and crew, spot-on direction and choreography and wonderful musicians performing revered and beloved music make this a must-see event. And you will enjoy a delicious buffet as well.
Running time. Two hours and 40 minutes with an intermission.
The Music Man runs through May 18, 2025, at Toby’s the Dinner Theatre, 4900 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 410-730-8311or visiting tobysdinnertheatre.com. Next up: The Little Mermaid, May 23 through August 17.
Photos Jeri Tidwell Photography
The menu is shown here.
Specialty Drink: The Shipoopi
No comments:
Post a Comment