Theater Review: 'Meredith Willson's The Music Man' by Torrington Schools Theater Arts

The Torrington Schools Theater Arts program has combined students in grades 7 through 12 to produce a charming production of “Meredith Willson’s The Music Man.” Performances this weekend are presented in the brand-new Theater Arts Auditorium inside Torrington High School.

The Torrington students are directed by Drama Teacher Veronica Gelormino with Amiya Bennett as assistant director. Chorus Teacher Andrew Skinner leads the musicians as the musical director. Tara Minnerly is the technical director and was also the set designer. Sybil Chamberlin, a math teacher at the high school, provided the great choreography, with Anthony Ferro and Rowan VonRichthofen as her assistant choreographers.

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“The Music Man” features a book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot involves the con man Harold Hill, who purports to be a band organizer and leader. He sells musical instruments and uniforms to Midwestern townspeople and promises to train the children to become the band, although he actually plans to skip town. Then he meets the prim librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo and risks being caught to win her heart. The action is set in 1912 in the weeks around July 4 in River City, Iowa.

The directors deem this a transformational story…” not only for Harold and Marian and Winthrop and all who live in River City, but for every one of us who have the opportunity to experience this tale. The art of theater has the power to not only entertain, but to transform those who partake in it.” The shows of the Torrington program are self-funded and appreciate the audience support that allows them to continue to “educate our students in the theater arts and provide opportunities for them to be on stage.”

In the Background section of the printed program, we learn that around the time that Willson collaborated with Lacey, Willson considered eliminating a long piece of dialogue in the script about the serious trouble facing the River City parents. However, he realized that it sounded like a lyric and subsequently transformed it into the iconic patter song “Ya Got Trouble.”

The cast is a mix of middle school and high school students that work together so very well and is blessed with a group of strong male performers. The traveling salesmen in the opening “Rock Island” are a tight team of nine guys.

Nathan Pepler easily takes on the title role of the con man Harol Hill and sings (and patters) very well. (“Ya Got Trouble,” “Seventy-Six Trombones.”)

Olivia Beauregard portrays the lovely Marian Paroo and does well. Olga Romero is a delight as her Irish widowed mother Mrs. Paroo. Carter Flinn plays Marian’s younger brother Winthrop

Mila Hudak takes on the role of piano student Amaryllis.

The quartet of school board members are played by Anthony Loja as Ewart Dunlop, Siamui Mashba as Oliver Hix, Killian McIntyre as Jacey Squires and Xavier Vega as Olin Britt. The assistant choreographer Anthony Ferro steals all of his scenes in the role of Marcellus Washburn; Ferro is a triple threat who is a joy to watch.

Xander Harrak plays the ruffian Tommy Djilas with an eye for Zaneeta.

Luke Le does well in the role of Mayor Shinn and Lianna Flores-Paulino shines in the role of his wife Eulalie. Jaielly Hernandez appears as the couple’s daughter Zaneeta Shinn and Eliana Penaranda plays the young Gracie Shinn.

Austin Benson steps up to play the salesman Charlie Cowell and Jaxson Lomax plays the train conductor.

“Pickalittle (Talk-a-Little)” ladies' roles are played by Lily Artruc as Alma Hix, Madison Estafani as Maud Dunlop, Zolangy Sosa as Mrs. Squires and Natalie Blanco as Ethel Toffelmeir. Jordan Avery plays Constable Locke.

There is a strong ensemble of students who portray the townspeople and the boys and girls therein.

Skinner carefully conducts the singers and the members of the pit with precision. The fine orchestra is a mix of Torrington High School musicians and adults, including Dawn Marie Conroy on piano. They brought Willson’s memorable score to life beautifully.

The stage crew includes students working in props and carpentry, scenic artistry, running crew, the (lovely) costumes, make-up and hair, often impressive lights and (sometimes uneven) sound. Kudos to all of these hardworking students. There are two great painted drops to indicate the center of town for “Iowa Stubborn” and the Madison gymnasium for “Shipoopi.” Large move-in set pieces, including both the interior and exterior of the Paroo home, move the characters to other locations, especially the Madison Library for the adorable “Marian the Librarian” with charming, seated choreography.

Thanks to the director for the invitation to see and review my first Torrington show in their new space. During the intermission, the director invited any audience members that had been part of this theater program to stand and be recognized. Two remaining shows, Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Tickets available online at www.TSTAP.org or at the door.