Muny Season Continues with THE MUSIC MAN

The Music Man is an oft-performed American classic. How else can you explain the fact that I've seen four versions in a little over a year? Each of the shows was unique, and I would never try and compare them because that would be unfair. But, what the Muny brings to their production is a bigness that cannot be denied. And, with the beautiful unseasonable weather we've been experiencing, it's certainly a nice way to enjoy a cool summer evening under the stars.

Professor Harold Hill is a conman who's working a scam involving the sale of instruments and uniforms to outfit a boy's band. His arrival in the town of River City, Iowa, is met with skepticism by a spinster piano teacher named Marian Paroo, and by local officials. But, when his scheme actually brings her lisping brother Winthrop out of his doldrums, she falls hard for him. A rather perfunctory happy ending prevents the community from tar and feathering Hill.

James Clow is smooth as Hill, oozing charm while wooing Marian and the community with his plans. His splendid voice is used to good effect on numbers like "Seventy Six Trombones", "The Sadder-But-Wiser-Girl" and "Marian the Librarian". As the object of his affections, Kate Baldwin does fine work as Marian. Her stunning soprano voice enlivens numbers like "Goodnight My Someone", and the always popular tune "Till There Was You". Together they make a nice couple, although there's very little tension that ever develops between them.

James Anthony fractures the English language in amusing fashion with his constant barrage of malapropisms as Mayor Shinn. Jeb Brown is a bundle of enthusiasm as Marcellus Washburn, kicking up his heels on a delightful rendition of "Shipoopi". Rick Knight, Eric Dalbey, Tim Waurick and Chris Hallam make a bid to steal a show as the bickering merchants that Hill brings together as a barbershop quartet. Their silken deliveries of classic tunes are a genuine treat for the ears.

Also outstanding in support are: Georgia Engel as Mrs. Paroo, Parker Donovan as Winthrop, Donna English as Eulalie Shinn, and Anthony Cummings as Charlie Cowell, an anvil salesman hell bent on exposing Hill.

Marc Bruni's direction is very well done, with the pace clipping along nicely for much of the show. He's aided in his efforts by Liza Gennaro's outstanding choreography; Michael Anania's wonderful scenic design; and the lighting scheme of David Lander.

I never tire of Meredith Willson's musical recreation of Iowan life at the turn of the 20th Century, although I'm well aware of some of the goofy rhymes that pop up in some of the numbers.

The Muny's production of The Music Man continues through July 26, 2009.