Congratulations to the Cast & Crew from Hegedorns Market 32 2 31 The Webster Thomas Players We would like to thank the following patrons for their financial support: Gold Sponsor Carm & Sheri Gumina Silver Sponsor Jack & Jennifer DeGrace Book, Music & Lyrics by: Eggert & Coles Family Dental Meredith Willson Rob Hickey Photography Story by: The Blodgett Family Meredith Willson & Chris & Debbie Potter Franklin Lacey Bronze Sponsor Artistic Director Music Director The Conti Family Brenda Nitsch Amanda von Rathonyi Laura D’Angelo Orchestra Director Choreographer Heather Watras Kapil Dass Lighting Designer Costumer Assistant Choreographer Thank you! Justin Gass Virginia Monte Tina Evans The Webster Thomas Secretarial and Custodial Staff for their incredible help Production Manager & Set Designer Michael Roller, WCSD Music and Fine Arts Director Donald Irwin Thomas and Schroeder Music Department The Music Man is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.MTIShows.com. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. 30 3 Notes from the Director... I bet everyone in the audience knows at least one of the songs from The Music Man, or at least can hum along to a chorus or two. Meredith Willson’s gem written in 1957 has heart-warming themes of American optimism, small town living and the transformative power of arts in education. The simple yet profound melodies, the infectious dances and the fun, quirky characters make it a great pick for any high school drama program. Harold Hill, notorious con man, invents a problem so that he can come up with a solution. He does this by creating a public scare: the new pool table in town is going to corrupt the youth. Therefore he must convince the citizens of River City, Iowa that there is a desperate need for a kid’s band. Through charm and pure determination, Harold sells the families musical instruments, uniforms and instruction books with the promise that after only 2 weeks the kids will form a band with himself as the leader. If all goes to plan, Harold will be long gone by the time the town realizes they have been bamboozled. These people are average Americans who are as different and as individual as can be. A bickering school board, gossipy ladies, a charismatic, easy going “guy next door”, an uptight music teacher and a bumbling, self-important mayor are among the cast of characters. The one thing that truly connects them is their Iowa stubbornness and their hometown pride. Plot twist? Harold falls in love with Marian the Librarian, the uptight music teacher, and is willing to trade the consequences of being exposed for love. As is true of most of the shows from this era, the story takes a back seat to the pure enjoyment of the dancing and singing. But, the virtues of optimism, goodness and the importance of arts in the lives of both children and adults resonates as much as the tunes that we can’t get out of our heads. As a result of “the think system”, the school board members are now best buddies, Winthrop, a 10 year old problem child who recently lost his father, found his voice, and both Marian and Harold have embraced the gift of forgiveness. The trouble in River City was not the result of a pool table in town but rather the struggle to be community despite beliefs and opinions. In today’s challenging times a simple, sweet musical from long ago can teach us all a little something about navigating the waters of divisiveness with courage and an open heart. Mrs. Nitsch 4 29 One Liners The Music Man Cast Cole, enjoy every moment this weekend! We are so proud that you "never turn tail and run just because a little personal risk is involved." Love, Mom and Dad Harold Hill Cole Weisensel Maddie, we're so proud of you! Break a leg!! Congratulations to the entire cast and Marian Paroo Hannah Rich crew of The Music Man! Love, the Blodgett Family Marcellus Washburn Tristan Altobelli Mrs. Paroo Tessa DeGrace Jake, a fine Mr. Dunlop there will never be! You’re amazingly talented and watching Mayor Shinn Nick Walters you perform always leaves us speechless. We are so proud of you! Love, Mom & Dad Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn Brynn Smith Tommy Djilas Eric Mews Zaneeta Shinn Isabelle Nitsch Charlie Cowell David Potter Olin Britt Nathaniel Peets Oliver Hix Alexander Ramirez Ewart Dunlop Jake Groff Jacey Squires David Bobowski Constable Locke Parker Gaboury Ethel Toffelmier Lauren Fairchild Alma Hix Allie Beamish Maud Dunlop Maria Conti Mrs. Squires Ziah Blahyj Train Conductor Cooper Wells Dance Ensemble Tristan Altobelli (dance captain) Isabelle Nitsch Parker Gaboury David Potter Grace Mahoney Shanna Smith Eric Mews Haley Warren Kids Ensemble Pick-a-little Ladies Evie Aiezza Maddie Blodgett Reagan Coles Christine Gelose Nadia Dovholuk Bella Ritchie Jessica Eggleton (Amaryllis, 2 performances) Ryley Norton Max Garbach (Winthrop, 2 performances) Dominick Mangano Ileiahna Mateo (Winthrop, 2 performances) Ava Schiller (Amaryllis, 2 performances) Ava Wilcox (Gracie Shinn) 28 5 SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS One Liners Lauren Fairchild, you are amazing! Best wishes, Christine and Andy Newman Act One Eric, we couldn’t be more proud of you and all you have accomplished these last four years. You are a shining light. Love Mom, Dad, and Rachel Overture Orchestra Break a leg, Maria! We love you! From Grandma and Grandpa Scene 1: A Railway Coach, Morning, July 4, 1912 Rock Island Charlie Cowell & Traveling Salesmen Congratulations on another wonderful show, David! We are so proud of you! - Mom, Scene 2: River City, Iowa, Town Center, immediately following Dad & Audrey Iowa Stubborn Townspeople of River City (Ya Got) Trouble Harold Hill & Townspeople Jake Groff, every performance just gets better and better - your singing, your dancing, your expression - you are the real deal. Loud and proud! Love, your family Scene 3: A Street, immediately following Ava-we are so proud of you!! Good luck! Love, Dad, Mom and Owen Scene 4: The Paroo House, that evening Piano Lesson Marian, Mrs. Paroo & Amaryllis Good Show, Maria! Play it with love! -Bill and Krystal Goodnight, My Someone Marian Scene 5: Madison Gymnasium, thirty minutes later David Potter, you are awesome! Best wishes, Christine and Andy Newman Seventy-Six Trombones Harold & Townspeople Sincere Quartet (Olin Britt, Oliver Hix, Thanks for letting me be your backstage Mom again this year! - Mrs. Groff Ewart Dunlop, Jacey Squires) Good luck, Eric. We have enjoyed the musicals. -Grandma and Grandpa Mews Scene 6: Outside Madison Library, immediately following The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl Harold & Marcellus 'Charlie' fans here!!! Break a leg! - Mom, Dad & Audrey Pick-a-Little (Talk-a-Little) Eulalie, Maud, Ethel, Alma, Mrs. Squires & Ladies So proud of you Nick! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! Love, Gma & Goodnight, Ladies Quartet Gpa Scene 7: Madison Library, immediately following Marian the Librarian Harold, Boys and Girls Maria Conti, continue to bring light to all! Best wishes, Christine and Andy Newman Scene 8: A Street, the following Saturday afternoon Listening to you play brings great joy! Congratulations to Bella Ciardi and the pit on a Scene 9: The Shinn House, immediately following fantastic performance! The Ciardi Family Scene 10: The Paroo Porch, that evening My White Knight Marian Megan- thank you for the music in our lives! Love Mom, Dad and Kate Scene 11: Town Center, noon, the following Saturday David Bobowski, we are so proud of you! Shine on! Love always, Mom, Andy, and The Wells Fargo Wagon Winthrop & Townspeople Nathan Bella, can’t wait to see you shine in your first high school musical! Love, Mom, Dad, & Colin Nathaniel, congratulations on your final high school performance! We are so proud of INTERMISSION your accomplishments! Love you, Mom and Dad Refreshments will be available. Alexander, we are so very proud of you TODAY & ALWAYS! Besos y abrazos, Daddy & Mami 6 27 One Liners SCENES AND MUSICAL NUMBERS We are so very proud of you, Evie. Love, Mom and Dad Act Two Cole, good luck! So proud of my little fart face brother! Hope this talent of yours takes you to the moon. Love, Emma Scene 1: Madison Gymnasium, the following Tuesday evening Haley- We always LOVE to watch you perform! Love, Mom, Dad, Carter & the It’s You Quartet Shipoopi Marcellus, Harold, Marian & Townspeople entire family :) Pick-a-Little (Talk-a-Little) (reprise) Eulalie, Maud, Ethel, Alma Mrs. Squires & Ladies So proud of all your accomplishments! Will remember every note. Take a bow! Love you. -Grandma Maggie Scene 2: The Paroo Porch, the following Wednesday evening Lida Rose Quartet Congratulations to the cast, crew, pit, directors, volunteers, etc. for a wonderful Will I Ever Tell You Marian show! It certainly takes a village! -The Warren Family Scene 3: The Paroo Porch, immediately following Gary, Indiana Winthrop, Mrs. Paroo, Marian To the cast, crew & directors - THANK YOU for the support and encouragement you Lida Rose (reprise) Quartet have given one another and for the time and effort you have put into this musical. Congratulations - you are ALL amazing! Scene 4: The Footbridge, fifteen minutes later Till There Was You Marian & Harold Cole, We got trouble...Give me your phone! Love, Mom & Dad Scene 5: The Footbridge, immediately following We are so proud of you, Hannah! Love you so much! - Mom, Dad & Abby Seventy-Six Trombones/Goodnight, My Someone (reprise) Harold & Marian Break a leg everyone! You're all amazing! - Tessa DeGrace Scene 6: Madison Gymnasium, a few minutes later Nick, we are so proud to see you up there on stage! Enjoy this amazing moment of Till There Was You (reprise) Harold your senior year! Love, Mom, Jim, Matt & Julia Scene 7: Madison Gymnasium, immediately following Break a leg, Tessa! We are so proud of you.