- THE MUSIC MAN
- Hanover Theater
- Worcester, Massachusetts
The trouble in River City has arrived in Worcester. Now at the Hanover Theater for weekend performances is the national tour of the beloved musical- Meredith Wilson’s THE MUSIC MAN. The winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical has been produced in thousands of theaters all over America since the Broadway show premiered almost 70 years ago.
In the summer of 1912, Harold Hill, a fast-talking salesman, tries to convince the citizens of River City, Iowa into buying musical instruments and uniforms with which he will create a boy’s band for the town. But the con man plans to skip town after receiving the money since he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. However, he falls for the town librarian, Marian, who transforms him into respectability before the final curtain.
This beautiful production comes with all the old-fashioned charm which had the audience cheering at that final curtain. Elliot Andrews plays the titular character heading up this huge cast dancing and singing with crystal clear sound at the Hanover. I counted 35 performers in total, a huge cast for a road tour. When he falls for Marian, Elizabeth D’Aiuto, it’s easy to understand why. Her beautiful soprano voice filled the auditorium to top of the balcony. Josuha Bergasse (who recently choreographed Broadway’s musical SMASH) created the dances and this troupe can handle them with ease as they astonished the audience on opening night. Such energy and talent.
Production values are top notch with colorful period sets often highlighted with projected backgrounds that wash across the stage to effectively set the scenes.
THE MUSIC MAN may be decades old in theatrical lore, but this new production is sparkling and is a great addition to the Spring season in Worcester now thru Sunday. For tickets to this performance or future stops on the tour, click HERE.