‘Music Man’ opens Friday night

Daron Stone and Tim Brewer rehearse a scene from “The Music Man” last week. The show opens Friday night and concludes Sunday. Journal photo/David Stone People in Groesbeck are accustomed to seeing a Band, a good band, on Friday nights. On this Friday, Nov. 20, the curtain will open on a different kind of band at GHS.

Students from Groesbeck High School and Middle School have been rehearsing for the upcoming production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” for over two months.

Now, in two days, opening night will be here! These students, under the direction of Dennis Mc- Menamy, will bring River City, Iowa, to life with a cast of interesting characters.

Professor Harold Hill, con man extraordinaire, introduces, himself to the folk of River City as the person who can “save the town from the terrible trouble it’s in.” He proposes to do this by starting a boy’s band, complete with wonderfully shiny instruments and handsome uniforms — all for a fee, of course.

Daron Stone, GHS drum major, plays the part of Harold Hill. He charms the Pick-a-Little Ladies, led by the mayor’s wife (Katie Stewart), but he cannot charm the skeptical Mayor Shinn (Jessie Barraza).

The one real hurdle to Professor Hill’s success in River City is Marian, the librarian, played by Emily Wilson. She is not so easily mesmerized by his talk and charm. The undaunted professor sets out to win her over, using her own mother Mrs. Paroo (Tess Balzen) and her brother Winthrop (Bradlye Duncan) in the fight. Mayor Shinn’s city councilmen, bickering for years, are formed into a Barbershop quartet composed of Band Directors Collin Anderson and Brian Boecker, Theatre Director Dennis McMenamy, and Coach Dayne Duncan.

The fun plays out as the town’s colorful characters all get in on the action. “The Music Man” is a delightful show, set in 1912 Iowa, complete with great musical numbers, dancing and fun for all!

Come and enjoy this entertaining evening in the GHS Auditorium. Tickets are $5.00 each and may be purchased at door. The show opens on Friday (November 20) and will also be presented on Saturday night plus a Sunday afternoon matinee. The Friday and Saturday night performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Sunday matinee starts at 3 p.m.

And remember: “Seventy-six trombones led the big parade ... “