Playhouse Theatre Group of Central Wisconsin to Perform “The Music Man”
Young actors rehearse for tonight’s production of “The Music Man”. (Contributed photo)
By Joel Murillo
The Playhouse Theatre will be performing “The Music Man” at the SPASH Theater on Friday and Saturday July 11 and 12.
The non-profit organization, formerly with the Central Wisconsin Children’s Theatre, has performed various musicals throughout the years, including Peter Pan, Grease, and Footloose. However, “The Music Man” is the Playhouse Theatre’s first ever production and its first partnership with the school district. Producer and Treasure of the Playhouse Theatre Laurie Moyer said that the group in the past traveled as far as Mosinee beforehand and favors the collaboration.
“The school district has been very supportive and welcoming to us,” Moyer said.
“The Music Man” takes place in 1912 and tells the story of con man Harold Hill who comes to River City, Iowa to swindle the townsfolk out of their cash, but ends up falling in love with the town librarian. According to advisory board member Erin Andrews, the play casts around 100 actors, including at least 90 children.
“Anyone who has the guts to audition gets a part,” she said. “The kids have fun whether they are leads or whether they are in the ensemble.”
The younger actors receive the opportunity to practice their performing skills with the Playhouse Theatre. Andrews compared the theatre group to other associations in central Wisconsin.
“It’s (the Playhouse Theatre group) kind of like Hoops for Basketball or Youth Area Football,” Andrews said.
“When they hit high school, they really have a lot of stage experience,” she added.
The Playhouse Theatre organization casts many younger roles, such as 10 year old Ava Boetccher’s character Gracie Shinn, the mayor’s daughter. She has performed in 6 shows so far and said she enjoys everything about performing.
“I love doing the singing, dancing, and being on stage,” Boetccher said. “I want it to be really fun and I hope it turns out well.”
The theater group also has roles for adults. Children’s theatre veteran Lauren Omernik plays Marian Paroo, the town librarian. The Arts Management major at UWSP said she really appreciates being involved in so many kids’ theatrical experiences.
“I had a lot of great mentors that I worked with when I was younger and now to be one of them for these kids is really a blessing,” she said.
Those involved in the production said that “The Music Man” is about more than just entertainment; it’s also about learning the moral of the story. Omernik added that the musical contains issues still prevalent today.
“It (The Music Man) shows how your judgments of another person’s character can really cloud your relationship with them,” Omernik said. “But if you take a second to be open and vulnerable with them, you start discovering things about them and yourself that you wouldn’t have otherwise.”
Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on both nights with a matinee on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $8 for students and will be sold at Mitchell Piano and at the door.
For more information, visit the Playhouse Theatre’s website or check out their Facebook page.