The cast is led by Jeffrey Gerlomes performing his high school swan song, and doing so with a perfect blend of charisma, political slickness, and a tuba-full of talent. And who is not to be deterred by a broken foot injured earlier during the marching band scene. Except for a huge protective boot, and cast members asking him about his foot (alternately explained by Hill as a trombone accident, a stampeding glee club, etc.), you’d hardly notice it. Not even as he leads the band in the big Ya Got Trouble and 76 Trombones scenes. Or as he talks romance in A Sadder But Wiser Girl for Me with friend Marcellus – a hilarious performance by actor/dancer extraordinaire Michael Starr whose comical body language and goofy expressions keep the audience in the palm of his hand throughout. Or as Harold goes fishing, and then gets hooked, by the intelligent and romantically inclined Marian the librarian, with Annemarie Mendonsa imbuing the role with serene strength, strong emotion when she sees her shy young brother Winthrop (Jonathan Johnson) open up, and stunning vocals highlighted by My White Knight. 

A few other standouts include Isabelle Mieling is charming and humorous as Marian’s pragmatic mother. Sarah Francke is a hysterical Mayor’s Wife complementing her amusingly phraseology-challenged husband Eric Jameson. Their eldest daughter Zaneeta (Mary Gerlomes) is a hoot who relishes the idea of the black hole of Calcutta and gets to spank her real-life brother Jeffrey Gerlomes with a library book. While William Purdue is a heavy hit as anvil salesman Charlie Cowell – a hot head sure to blow a gasket as he gets madder and madder over Harold Hill’s unprofessional tactics, humorously switching between furious shouting and slick wooing when talking with Marian the librarian. 

The ensemble and remarkable choreography by Lisa Clark-Schmeling keeps this show at the highest level from its opening Iowa Stubborn-ess  to the last reprise of 76 Trombones – a mixture of impressive singing, dancing, and characterization including four of the school’s teachers getting into the act and forming a lovable and well-sung barber shop quartet. The students nail their many big numbers, making us feel the comic tension of Trouble, the anticipation of Wells Fargo Wagon, a humorously serious attempt to create a Grecian urn through interpretive dance, the charming and creative choreography of Marian the Librarian, and the pure exhilaration of their 76 Trombones parade and a big, old-fashioned River City Shipoopi party.

Performed April 24 - May 2, 2010  

Rob Hopper
rob@nationalyouththeatre.com
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Executive Director
National Youth Arts