REVIEW BSS Children's Theatre's Meredith Willson's The Music Man

Dedicated to the memory of Wanda Tirado, a dedicated teacher who was scheduled to move to the new Catholic Academy of Waterbury, formerly Blessed Sacrament School, in the fall

Pictured above: Luke Audie as Harold Hill with members of the Marion Cast of 'The Music Man' at Blessed Sacrament School Children's Theatre All Photos by Derek Ward

Waterbury, CT - Blessed Sacrament School Children’s Theatre presented its seventeenth annual production on the stage of the school gym. ‘Meredith Willson’s The Music Man’ opened on Thursday and the two casts alternated shows for a total of six performances. The one and only Bob Tansley directed the cast of 64 children from area schools, along with 12 men that rounded out the cast. The number of children might have been down slightly, but the production itself was as big as ever and everyone was able to shine brightly with Mr. T in charge.

Click here to read this year's interview with Bob Tansley.

The classic old-time musical features a book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson from a story by Mr. Willson and Franklin Lacey. It tells the story of the con man Harold Hill, a traveling salesman who comes to a midwestern town in Iowa. His plan is to organize a boy’s band and sell the naive townsfolk band instruments and uniforms before skipping town without giving any music lessons. The prim and proper town librarian/piano teacher Marion sees right through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother Winthrop come out of his shell, she begins to fall in love.

Mr. Tansley was assisted as usual by the uber-talented Pat Hearn, who had a cameo in “Rock Island” at the performance I attended with my mom. Lucia Dressel returned to serve as vocal coach while her husband John Dressel was the musical director and conductor of the pit orchestra. Ben Orlando worked his magic with the children as choreographer. This year’s performances were dedicated to “The Music Man” John O’Donnell who has retired as the BSS Children’s Theatre production manager, but actually attended the Saturday evening performance.

I loved the old time feel of this vision of Iowa. The set and costumes clearly reflected the era. Harold Hill rode an actual “Wells Fargo Wagon” through the mail aisle, and the townspeople traversed through and danced in all of the aisles so that the audience get a close up view. The kids had the time of their young lives dancing to “Shipoopi” and the precision of the book choreography was wonderful in the classic “Marion the Librarian”

I got to see the performances of the members of the Marion Cast, but I will mention who earned the leading roles in the Harold Cast. Luke Audie slayed the role of the con man Harold Hill with an easy charm and fine dancing; he shared the role with Ben Dressel. Julia Mehlin played “Marion the Librarian” with a very prim and proper air, along with her most beautifully clear soprano singing voice. Her rendition of her solos “Goodnight My Someone” and “My White Knight” were simply stunning. Ms. Mehlin shared the role of Marion with the supremely talented Grace Altenburger.

At the final dress rehearsal that I attended, I was treated to a command performance by Ben Dressel and Ms. Altenburger of “Till There Was You” and I was blown away at the maturity they brought to this scene at the footbridge.

RJ Damato used the healing power of theatre to convincingly portray the pompous Mayor Shinn with both casts. Clara Pizzolorusso was his devoted wife Eulalie Shinn, sharing the role and the impressive brown dress with Grace Pinkerton. Kiera Szumigala was Zaneeta, the daughter of the couple; she shared the role with the adorable Claire Roberts. Addison Brayton played Gracie Shinn and she shared with Madeline Roberts.

Taylor Kunkel played piano student Amaryllis; she shared the role with Logan Altenburger. Sofia Alonzo did a great job as Winthrop Paroo; she shared the role with Zoe Kindt. Lexi White played the strong Irish mother of Marion, the widow Paroo, with both casts.

Then there was Colin Christie in his first time on stage in the role of Marcellus, and he was great with Mr. Audie in “The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl.” He shared the role with Michael Meier. Tyler Bushka was very strong in the role of the ruffian Tommy Djilas; his counterpart in the Harold Cast was Nicholas Bates.

The warring school board member quartet included Zachary Fareira as Oliver Hix, Kalman Zold as Olin Britt, Sam Champagne as Jacey Squires and Anthony Marchetti as Ewart Dunlap at all performances. Their adult counterparts in the Barber Shop Quartet were played by community theatre royalty Bret Bisaillon (THE IRISH AND HOW THEY GOT THAT WAY at the Warner,) Ian Diedrich (WHITE GUY ON THE BUS at Square One Theatre,) Steve Sorriero (IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU in Goshen) and Jacob Rogotzke (SHREK by Newbury Musical Theatre Co.) All of the voices blended very well on “Goodnight Ladies,” “Sincere,” “It’s You,” and “Lida Rose.” Thank you to these four talented adult actors for volunteering to work with the children in the cast.

Other volunteers were the fathers who bravely stepped up to join their kids on the train for the number “Rock Island Line.” They included Arnie Marchetti as Salesman #1, Cliff Hodak as Salesman #2, Kyle Kahuda as Salesman #3, Tom Brayton as Salesman #4, Chaz Fareira as Salesman #5, and chorus members Greg White, Glen Pizzolorusso and Mike Altenburger. They all did a great job with the quick patter of the opening number and made it look much easier than it is.

Regina Watkins shared the role of Maud Dunlap with Ana Coyanda-Parkzes, and Ariel Pierre (who just “stepped up” from City Hill Middle School in Naugatuck) shared the role of Ethel Toffelmier with Grace Sevelowitz. Sydney Jason played Mrs. Squires, while Alexandra Welcome covered the role in the Harold Cast and the beautiful Maura Kahuda was stunning in deep red as Alma Hix in both casts. Christian Welcome came on strong as the anvil salesman Charlie Cowell. Aidan Devaney locked up Harold in handcuffs as Constable Locke, sharing the role with Joseph Breton, and Branden Kunkel played the train conductor, sharing the role with Trey Vance.

The ensemble members, who all appeared with both casts, included Aaliyah Allen, Johnny Carrara, Lucy Carroll, Hanalei Cocchiola, Aliza Cocchiola, Gina Davis, Grace Louise Denihan, Aoife Devaney, Richard Dixon, Mia Gagnebin, Isabel Garcia, Amanda Hodak, Julianna Hodak, Jadan Izzi, Ian Kindt, young Brennan Kunkel, Timmy McGrath, Abigail O’Connor, Kylie Pinto, young Thomas Roberts, Sydney Rybczyk, Lucie Sevelowitz, Madalee Sevelowitz, young Logan Tansley, Elena Welcome, Olivia Welcome, young William Welcome and CJ Zold.

Melissa Kunkel replaced Mr. O’Donnell as Production Manager. Advanced Lighting and Sound Solutions took care of both as usual and Mr. Hearn was the spotlight operator. The musicians in the eight piece orchestra under the direction of the elder Mr. Dressel sounded wonderful without overpowering the vocalists. The stage crew in black t-shirts included (now adult) alumni of the BSS program.

Terri Thompson did it again with the set design, the set build and scenery. Debbie Forchielli returned to head the wardrobe committee and CJ McNellis wore the headset as Stage Manager. Sarah Pellman assisted Mr. Orlando with the dancing. Properties mistress was Stephanie Van Duzer; I loved the pitchfork in “Iowa Stubborn.” Melissa Buonauto returned as fundraising chair and Colleen Altenburger was in charge of grant writing and the raffles. A few but willing parents and supporters also lent a hand to make this program as successful as it continues to be. Kudos to everyone involved in this charming production that brought a smile to every face in the audience.

Bob Tansley has already chosen a show for next year and I look forward to promoting the 18th season of this iconic children’s theatre group.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417