Review: Meredith Willson's 'The Music Man' by Artful Living

Pictured: Mark Gilchrist as Harold Hill and Amy Buckley as Marian Paroo in 'The Music Man'

“William Howard Taft was president, Sears, Roebuck & Co. mail order was at its peak, WWI had not happened yet and Fenway Park was brand-spanking new in 1912. And while much is different today, the inspiring truth that each person can change for the better is as real and enduring as the American spirit for children’s marching bands, town ‘sociables’ and apple pie!” - Producer/director Christopher Solimene in his producer/director message

Killingworth, CT - Meredith Willson’s ‘The Music Man’ is an old chestnut of a musical that benefits from a large cast of all ages. The Artful Living production that opened on Friday sticks to the time period of the Wells Fargo Wagon with an impressive set, magnificent costumes and a huge cast of multi-aged, racially diverse performers.

The large cast easily filled the beautiful stage of the Wagner Auditorium in the Haddam-Killingworth Middle School; I wished the half-circle staging had been wider to allow patrons seated on the side of the auditorium to view the action in the middle. Lighting designed by the director was well-done, but at times I missed a large chunk of the dialogue because of the sound design. From the second row I often did better with actors not wearing a microphone.

Mark Gilchrist (Mr. Banks in Artful Living’s ‘Mary Poppins’) sang well as the fast-talking Harold Hill and Amy Buckley (Winifred Banks in ‘Mary Poppins’) used her powerful voice well as librarian Marian Paroo. Patricia Barbano-Parczany played her Irish mother Mrs. Paroo. Liev Shpitalnik made a fine Winthrop Paroo and Kate Lomuntad sang very well as Amaryllis. Charles DellaRocco was the blustery mayor of River City and Melissa McLean played his wife Eulalie. Anika Deshpande took on the role of their teenaged daughter Zaneeta. The multi-aged quartet was composed of Michael Trzciensky, Steve Azzaro, Andrew Butler and Robert Ball.

Eric Clinton was a standout in the role of Prof. Hill’s partner in crime Marcellus Washburn; this actor has such stage presence that truly served him well in this role. Charlie Cowell was played by Chris Ceplenski, Alice Pond appeared as little Gracie Shinn, Dieter Parczay was both the constable and conductor, and Laurie Varley twirled two batons. Small groups included the wonderful Pick-a-Little Ladies, Traveling Salesmen/Townspeople, Traveling Salesmen/Dancing Teens, Singing/Dancing Teens, Townspeople and River City Kids.

The traveling salesman did very well with the opening number “Rock Island,” but my favorite numbers were those that involved the full company, the Pick-a-Little Ladies, the a cappella male quartet and the wonderfully staged “Marian the Librarian.” Charming choreography by Paola Rarick was well-executed by all of the dancers. The eleven-member orchestra conducted by Musical Director Joel Spineti definitely contributed to the toe-tapping quality of the musical numbers and was not drowned out by the large number of talented singers.

Little touches like an antique toy baby carriage and bows in the hair of every little girl brought the audience back to a simpler time and added to the charm of this production. Carol Baldwin and the production cast were in charge of the properties. Michelle Rocheford Johnston was the wardrobe supervisor/builder and a slew of women did additional costume construction. Some costumes were borrowed from Cheshire Community Theatre and Thomaston Opera House. Martha Ceplenski covered hair and wigs with thanks to Martin Lombardo for wigs. Marion’s wardrobe consisted of one lovely ensemble after another. Kudos to everyone in the costume department for assembling a spectacular look overall.

Artful Living’s production of ‘The Music Man’ continues through July 30 and seats are available for all performances.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and 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 Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417