“The Music Man” Opens Tonight at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton

The Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre‘s joyous production of the appropriately named musical “The Music Man” opens tonight in Pleasanton’s Firehouse Arts Center (4444 Railroad Avenue) at 8:00pm with performances continuing Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm through May 18.

Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” won both the Tony Award and New York Critics Award as Best Musical for its original 1958 Broadway production.  The original Broadway production was nominated for an additional three Tony Awards, including Best Director, Best Choreography, and Best Featured Actor in a Musical.  The 2000 revival was nominated for eight Tonys, including:  Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Choreography.

A Free Inside the Show discussion with the actors and directors will take place after the Sunday Matinee performance on May 4th, 2014, which provides theatre lovers can also enjoy a special opportunity to interact with the actors.

Joining the cast of “The Music Man” are Bay Area favorites David Judson* as Harold Hill, Amy Franklin Leonards as Marian, Benjamin Pither* as Marcellus Washburn, Liz Marsh as Mrs. Paroo, John Williams as Mayor Shinn and Ali Lane as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn. Returning from a year on Broadway in the musical “Matilda”, Madilyn Jaz Morrow* will make her PCRT debut in the alternating roles of Amaryllis and Mary Hix. (*Member of Actors’ Equity Association)

PCRT’s resident Set Designer Patrick Brandon has come up with an inventive use of the Firehouse stage to accommodate the many set changes required for the town of River City, Iowa. With Direction by Pat Parr, Choreography by Joy Sherratt and Musical Direction by Brett Strader, PCRT’s production of “The Music Man” is a definite ‘must see’ for the entire family!

Synopsis: 

An affectionate paean to Smalltown, U.S.A. of a bygone era, Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a kids’ band he vows to organize – this despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.

The show will run from May 2nd, 2014 through May 18th, 2014: Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. All performances will take place at Firehouse Arts Center, located at 4444 Railroad Avenue in Pleasanton, CA. Tickets are $17-$38 each, and are available at the Firehouse Arts Center Box Office, by phone at (925) 931-4848, or online at  www.pcrtproductions.org or www.firehousearts.org.