Local Theater Returns to Its Roots

Collingswood Community Theatre (CCT) is returning to its roots.

Now in its 10th year—CCT originated in 2002—the borough troupe will again perform one of the first musicals it ever staged, Meredith Wilson's The Music Man.

CCT members will return to the familiar production for shows next month.

Originally performed in 2003, The Music Man marked CCT's first all-town musical. And 10 years later, the production still holds a CCT record for best turnout.

"Of all our shows, The Music Man was our production with the largest turnout," said CCT member Terry Seeley. "Closing night of The Music Man had a little over 900 people at its matinee."

The record-breaking matinee audience has yet to be topped, with CCT's second-largest turnout stemming from last February's , which saw around .

But CCT members believe that revisiting their staple production—now with 10 years under their belts—will bring The Music Man to new heights.

"What we strive for (at CCT) is people telling us they're blown away by how professional our performances are," said CCT member Chuck Jackson. "In general, people talk about community theater (with an attitude that says), 'Oh yeah, we'll try our best to make it to your show.' But they don't realize it's on another level here (at CCT)."

Besides having the largest turnout of any production, The Music Man's original CCT debut also marked one of the troupe's largest casts.

"We had over 120 people in (The Music Man's 2003) cast," said Seeley. "(Of those cast members), we had 25 families in that show, which was the most (blood relatives) we've had in any of our other shows."

All 2012 performances of The Music Man will be staged at the .

The Music Man Show Dates and Times:

Friday, Feb.. 17—Show at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18—Shows at 1 p.m.; and again at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 24—Show at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 25—Show at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 26—Show at 1 p.m.