The Music Man

In November 2004, the award-winning Theatre Company of Saugus presented The Music Man, the beloved classic American musical play, with book, music, and lyrics written by Meredith Willson.

The Music Man originally opened on Broadway in 1957. It won eight Tony awards, including Best Musical. The film version was released in 1962, it was revived on Broadway in 1980 and 2000, and a TV movie version was made in 2003. The Music Man features 17 familiar musical numbers, including Seventy-Six Trombones, Ya Got Trouble, Goodnight My Someone, Wells Fargo Wagon, and Gary, Indiana.

This production was mounted in collaboration with the Saugus public schools. Like many public school systems in Massachusetts, Saugus has had to make drastic cutbacks in its extra-curricular arts and sports programs. Community groups have stepped up to fill in the gaps with volunteers and fundraising. The thirty-seven-year-old Theatre Company of Saugus shared its personnel and resources with the schools to mount The Music Man. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales went to benefit the schools’ arts programs. And as the main fall stage production for the high school, the middle school, and the Theatre Company, the show proved to be spectacular!

The director of the Saugus production of The Music Man was John Macero, who also played the leading role of “Professor” Harold Hill. He played opposite Kristin McEntee, in the leading role of Marian “the Librarian” Paroo. The show includes several songs for a barbershop quartet, which was handled by a group that has been practicing for several years at Saugus High School. They were backed by a supporting cast of about 70 persons, of all ages, who portrayed the townspeople of River City, Iowa. All the children and teenagers in the show were Saugus public school students, while the adults came from a number of surrounding communities.

Performances of The Music Man were 18-21 November 2004. The performance venue was the comfortable auditorium of Saugus High School. The originally planned venue, Belmonte Middle School, proved to be too small for the large cast and sets.

The Music Man Cast was as follows:

  • Traveling Salesmen .. Kai Chao, Roy St. Onge, Joey Doherty, Karl Geller, James Wlodyka, Peter DiMauro, Brian Cipoletta.
  • Charlie Cowell .. Larry Segel.
  • Conductor .. Bob Macero.
  • Harold Hill .. John Macero.
  • Mayor Shinn .. Rick McDermod.
  • The Quartet:
    • Ewart Dunlop .. James Wlodyka
    • Oliver Hix .. Peter DiMauro
    • Jayce Squires .. Joey Doherty
    • Olin Britt .. Brian Cipoletta.
  • Marcellus Washburn .. Bobby Imperato.
  • Tommy Djilas .. Sal Forte.
  • Marian Paroo .. Kristin McEntee.
  • Mrs. Paroo .. Nancy LeMoine.
  • Amaryllis .. Marina Giarla.
  • Winthrop Paroo .. Mark Panetta.
  • Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn .. Frances Latour.
  • Zaneeta Shinn .. Brittany Daley.
  • Gracie Shinn .. Alexis Fafard.
  • Alma Hix .. Rosemary DeGregorio.
  • Maud Dunlap .. Ellen Becker–Gray.
  • Ethel Toffelmier .. Carolina Lanney.
  • Mrs. Squires .. Renee Glowacki.
  • Constable Locke .. Roy D. St. Onge.
  • Ensemble .. Amanda Allen, Terrie Bater, Kerri Belyea, Chris Buonopane, Marisa Buonopane, Marilyn Carozza, Kai Chao, Amber Caldwell, Brittani Carmichael, Phil Carmichael, Leah Devereaux, Autumn Dion, Katrina Eddy, Ashleigh Fafard, Joanne Fafard, Danielle Fitzgerald, Maria Freehling, Veronica Giarla, Andrew Gilfillan, Genevieve Giurleo, Marsha Golden, Julia Kane, Stephen LaMonica, Elaine Lerman, Laura Liberge, Sophia Martini, Brittnay Mitchell, Katelyn Noyes, Alison Piercey, Tanya Portalla, Sherri Raftery, Kathy Rapino, Krista Schroth, Cole Sheridan, Jenna Sheridan, Alison Stewart, Gloria St. Onge, Diana Sutera, Priscilla Swain, Sarah Thibodeau, Madison Tomolillo, Sean Waple, Ashley White, Blake Williamson, Jenna Wilson, Caraline Winch.

Musicians:

  • Trumpet .. Andrew Piercey,
  • Flute .. Dan McDonald,
  • Percussion .. Alex Donovan,
  • Bass .. Rob Scrozynsky,
  • Tenor Sax .. Thomas Locke,
  • Baritone Sax .. Cory Rutledge.

Production Staff:

  • Choreograher .. Trudy Macero.
  • Music Director .. Sarah Byrne Francis.
  • Stage Manager .. Bernie Sacco.
  • Producer .. Leo Nickole.
  • Set Assembly .. Al Ragone, Hank Zappala.
  • Costumers .. Renee Glowacki, Carolina Lanney, Joanne L. Wheeler, Ramona Zappala.
  • Lighting Designer .. Larry Segel.
  • Sound Designer .. Ryan Brush.
  • Publicity .. Debra Panetta, Larry Segel.
  • Box Office .. Monica Bruno.
  • Properites .. Rosemary DeGregorio, Jean Amorosi.
  • Program .. Hank Zappala.
  • Assistant to the Producer .. Ramona Zappala.
  • Assistant Stage Manager .. Sarah White.
  • Lighting Crew .. Stephanie Silva, Rachael Venezia, Kelly McCarthy.