'Music Man' Comes to Meadow Brook Theatre

The Peanut Gallery Players, a 501(c)(3) non-profit children’s theatre company, will present the classic, family-friendly musical, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man at Meadow Brook Theatre from Aug. 1-3.

Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill (Lee Cleaveland of Rochester) as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, circa 1912, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boy's band he vows to organize, despite the fact he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef.  

His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for the town librarian, Marian (Alexis Sargent of Lake Orion), who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall.  This beloved show, based on a story by Meredith Willson and Frank Lacey, features some of the more famous songs in American musical theatre history including “76 Trombones,” “Ya Got Trouble” and “Till There Was You.”

As presented by PGP, this production features an energetic cast and crew of over 66 students ranging in age from 7-18 years old, and includes residents from Oakland and Macomb Counties.  

Featured are Henry Cleaveland, Jason Donaven, Tim Olszanski and Colin Slon as the delightful barbershop quartet. Elizabeth Kurkowski (Troy) and Jack Sanitate (Washington) will appear as Marian’s mother and brother, Mrs. Paroo and Winthrop. The DelSarte ladies include Rochester area residents Alissa Beth Morton, Julia Magas and Danielle Duggan, along with Danielle McCormick (West Bloomfield) and Kendall Ashman (Lake Orion).  Rob Klingler (Lapeer) brings his own brand of humor as Harold Hill’s sidekick, Marcellus Washburn. 

Tickets are $15 for Adults and $12 for Students and Seniors.  Groups of 10 or more should call for group discounts. Tickets are available by calling (248) 885-5129, on-line at www.peanutgalleryplayers.org or at the door on performance days 2 hours before curtain.  Performance times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday & Friday, Aug. 1-2 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Meadow Brook Theatre is located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI.  For additional information on Peanut Gallery Player classes, visit www.peanutgalleryplayers.org.