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| Some of the youngsters rehearsing for The Music Man. Standing from left to right- Kira Dyer, Casey Tona, Danielle Parslow, Jenny Pidgley, Joanna Perry. Kneeling- Leah Vicarey and Emily Sharpe. |
It is exactly 50 years since The Music Man opened at the Majestic Theatre, New York City.
On December 19th 1957 the critics first took their seats and waited for the curtain to rise on an unknown show by an unknown writer and composer.
Meredith Willson wrote the songs and lyrics and the book on which the musical was based. The audiences were so impressed that the show ran for 1375 performances.
It has since been made into film and been revived on stage many times.
It won 8 Tony awards including Best Musical, its cast album won the first ever Grammy award and the film score won an Academy award.
50 years on The Music Man is to be performed by Waterside Musical Society at the Waterside Theatre, Holbury, from 7th – 10th November.
Christobel Thomas is directing the show in a lively and interesting way assisted by an experienced production team. W.M.S is delighted to have Ian Peters as Musical Director again this year.
His personality and professional approach is well known by societies in the Bournemouth and Southampton area, where he has a reputation for high standards.
You may remember the successful brand new musical farce, Act Your Age, which W.M.S performed last November, which had the packed audiences rolling with laughter.
The composer and writer, Christopher Wortley, will be seen in front of the curtain this year, playing the leading character in The Music Man, Harold Hill.
This likeable rogue tricks the residents of River City into believing that he will create a boys’ band, complete with uniforms. He even wins the heart of Marian, the librarian, played by Dawn Hall. Although his schemes catch up with him it all ends happily as usual!
W.M.S rehearses at Cadland Primary School, Holbury. Close links have been forged over the years and 11 of the children in the cast of The Music Man are current or former pupils. |
