THE SHOW:  

Book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on the story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. Debuted on Broadway in 1957.  

It looks like an idyllic day in the small town of River City, Iowa for the Fourth of July in the troubleless year of 1912. But they’ve got trouble with a capital ‘T’ when slick con artist Harold Hill arrives on the train. Despite not knowing one music note from another, he promises to solve all the town’s problems by forming a boys’ band, selling instruments and uniforms to the eager River City citizens desperate to stave off the looming crisis represented by the presence of the first pool table in town. Hill’s planned everything down to the first train out of town following delivery of the uniforms. But he couldn’t plan on the town’s piano teacher, Marian the librarian. This slice of Americana includes such standards as Seventy-Six Trombones, Ya Got Trouble, Gary Indiana, and Till There Was You.  

THE PRODUCTION:  

MET2 could easily field a band of 76 trombones with their huge cast on the Torrance, California stage. This junior version of the show is directed and choreographed by Alison Bretches who knows how to work a couple hundred performers into the show, including giving the younger ensemble members more time to shine. The show also features professional-looking backdrops and sets (Alison Bretches and Ken Basore). And a gorgeous assortment of countless turn-of-the-century costumes by Kathie Urban completes our visual feast that transports us back a hundred years ago.  

The cast includes children of all ages and several adults. Conducting us through River City’s troubles is the wand of highly talented high school performer Daniel Bellusci who has great vocals, charisma, and a natural feel for smooth-talking salesman Professor Hill whether he’s brown-nosing the mayor’s wife (Hailey Stillman-Riddle who plunges into her interpretive dancing with melodramatic gusto), making himself an inspirational leader to River City’s younger generation, or romancing the local librarian and music teacher. Jessica Porter is Marian the Librarian, delivering beautiful vocals and good personality throughout, and teaming up with Harold for a lovely Till There Was You.  

Just a few of the other strong performances include Tessa Southwell as a hilarious Zaneeta Shinn closely accompanied by Jacob Reno as boyfriend Tommy, Max Chester as Marian’s lisping brother Winthrop shaking off his shyness for a rousing Gary, Indiana with his sister and his delightful mother Mrs. Paroo (Cheryle Stites), Emma Cool as an amusing and not remotely shy Amaryllis who quickly gets herself primped and polished as soon as Winthrop comes through the door, Tyler O’Bryan as Harold’s friend Marcellus, Gregg Ledergerber as the mayor, and Evan Krausz as a determined anvil salesman.  While the ensemble of River City citizens bring the town to life including a parade of little strutting Pick-a-Little ladies, excited potential customers for the Wells Fargo Wagon, funny reactions to the mayor’s town hall speech, and thrilled new members of a make-believe band playing 76 Trombones.

Performed October 25 - 27, 2013
Photos by Nancy Hickey

Rob Hopper
rob@nationalyouththeatre.com
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National Youth Arts

~ Cast ~ 

Marcellus:

Ensemble: