Bradford Little Theatre has announced the cast for its upcoming musical “The Music Man.”
With more than 50 people in the cast, the classic Meredith Wilson musical directed by Nicole Bednez and Kathleen O’Mara will be performed in the Bradford Area High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. March 28 and 29 and at 2 p.m. March 30. The Music Man is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
BLT newcomers Barry Fitzgerald of Allegany, N.Y., and Beckie Confer of Bradford, both previously seen in Kiwanis Kapers, will play fast-talking professor Harold Hill and the untrusting librarian Marian Paroo. Fitzgerald has performed in several musicals, including Olean (N.Y.) Community Theatre’s “Les Misérables.” This will be Confer’s acting debut.
As Hill arrives in River City, Iowa, in 1912, his plan is to convince the “Iowa stubborn” residents to purchase musical instruments and uniforms in order to create a boys’ marching band. He intends to skip town with the money as soon as the shipment arrives. The River City townspeople find themselves split as to how they feel about Hill. Some see him as a welcome addition to the town and others do not trust his intentions.
Ann Dunkerton of Smethport, who was in BLT’s “Charlotte’s Web” and “Diary of Anne Frank,” will play Marian’s Irish mother, Mrs. Paroo. Mrs. Paroo encourages Marian to be open to the possibility of love with Professor Hill.
New to the stage is 7-year-old Ward Kennedy of Bradford. As Marian’s young brother, Winthrop Paroo speaks with a lisp and overcomes his shyness as his friendship with Professor Hill develops. Playing Winthrop’s friend Amaryllis, Gretchen Henneman has had stage experience performing with Kiwanis Kapers, Missoula Children’s Theater and several choirs.
Chris Lathrop, who portrays Mayor Shinn, is no stranger to BLT. He was a juror in “12 Angry Men,” class nerd in “Stay As Dead As You Are” and the vacuum cleaner salesman in “The Marriage Counselor.” Penny Amacher will play Shinn’s outspoken wife, Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn, and has been a life-long singer. She performed in both “High School Musical” and “Seussical.”
Cailie Shanks, also from Bradford and most recently seen in BLT’s “East of the Sun” and “Charlotte’s Web” will play Shinn’s teenage daughter Zaneeta who is seeing Tommy Djilas, a boy from the wrong side of town. Djilas will be performed by Salamanca teenager Nathan Morris. Seven-year-old Kali O’Neil will play Gracie Shinn. She has performed for Kiwanis Kapers since she was 4 and this past year played an orphan in “Annie.”
“The kids that are in the cast have been fantastic to work with. Ward and Kali, even with being so young, have really stepped it up to learn their parts,” commented director Bednez.
Harold Hill’s old friend, Marcellus Washburn, will be played by James Segee who has performed with BLT, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s student plays, their improv team and in “Guys and Dolls” in Salamanca. Other Pitt-Bradford students include dancer Mary Mundy and Adam Yurchisin as Constable Locke. The famous Barbershop Quartet for “The Music Man” will be led by Pitt-Bradford professor David Merwine as Ewart Dunlop, Dave Geitner as Oliver Hix, Hannah Leposa as Jacey Squires and Tom Dunkerton from Smethport as Olin Britt. The uppity Pick-a-Little Ladies will be played by Bonnie Leposa, BLT vice-president Cindy Graham, Chelsea Place as Alma Hix, Connie Shanks as Maud Dunlop, assistant director Barb Pedersen as Mrs. Squires and Claudia Kurjakovic as Ethel Toffelmeir.
The cast is rounded out with several characters including anvil salesman Charlie Cowell, played by Zach Ruth, train conductor and assistant producer Charlie McGuire and River City Townspeople Vince Iaderosa, Codi Stroup, Bethany Bednez, Katherine Yaworsky, Joy Godding, Michelle Page, Michelle Cucuzza, Grace Dalton, Bella Mager, Holly Kilpatrick, Katie Hodge, Kaitlyn Hallock, Michayla Vigliotti, Cheyann Dow and Lily Gunter. The River City Kids include Catherine Fussell, Lacey Rodgers, Anna Nannen, Caleigh Woloscwicz, Kailee Peterson, Faith Terbush, Lucas Caruso, Allison Pulver, Allyson Luke, MaKenzee Miller and Kate Gunter.
“The cast members have been very dedicated to the show. There have been many cold nights when they have shown up early for rehearsals. I am impressed by the chorus, they have had a well-balanced sound since the very beginning of rehearsals” added Bednez.
Members of the crew include producer Kristin Asinger, costumers Jean Crowley, Marcia McAndrew and Kara Kennedy, set designers and builders Barb Pedersen, Roy Pedersen, Dan Ross, Jesse Persons and Jennifer Pulver. The publicity team includes Karen Pecht and BLT board member Chelsea Place. The stage manager is BLT board member JessAnn Persons and props are by BLT president Nanci K. Garris.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. 10 or more tickets purchased at one time will be given the group rate of $7 for adults and $6 for seniors/students. Tickets are available for advance purchase at several outlets including Graham Florist, Ott & McHenry and Tina’s Hallmark in Bradford, Costa’s Supermarket in Eldred, Lily In The Valley in Kane, Hubber Cafe in Smethport, Everyday Happy ‘nings in Port Allegheny, Hauber’s Jewelry and Always in Bloom in Coudersport, Uptown Florist in Olean, and Studio 4 East in Allegany, N.Y. Tickets will also be available at the door, from cast and crew; online at www.bradfordlittletheatre.org or by email at tickets@bradfordlittletheatre.org.
