Robert Liniak, Dylan Nguyen, Joshua Rickey, Graham Haederle, Joey Mantua, Luke Amato, Sophia Palacios. Photo by Joey Cabigas.
Review submitted by Lindsey Jacobson of Oakton High School.
What do ya talk? What do ya talk? Harold Hill is coming to town in Our Lady of Good Counsel High School’s production of “The Music Man!” Gather your children and your pocketbooks and witness the high-energy feel-good musical of the century.
Written and composed by Meredith Wilson, “The Music Man” became a Broadway hit in 1957, winning 5 Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical. “The Music Man” later went on to become an Academy Award-winning movie, and saw several revivals both on stage and on film.
Commanding the stage as leading man, con artist “Professor” Harold Hill, Robert Liniak tackled the difficult music and complex character with ease. Perfectly embodying Hill’s quick tongue and undeniable charm, it was no wonder he was able to captivate both River City and the audience. Sharing the stage as the demure town librarian, Marian Paroo, Sumie Yotsukura graced the stage with her enchanting voice. When Hill first comes to town, Marian sees right through him, however as he begins to allure the town, he is able to convince her in a much different way. Together Liniak and Yotsukura shared convincing chemistry and commendably contrasting characterizations that played off of each other in perfect harmony.
Several performances stood out, but perhaps most commendable was that of Joseph Mantua, Graham Haederle, Dylan Nguyen, and Joshua Rickey who made up the iconic barbershop quartet comprised of the River City school board. Complete with strong four-part harmony and a charming presence every time they began to sing, the quartet proved to be a showstopper!
Equally notable was the performance of the stage management and stage crew as well as the lighting crew. Performing some of the smoothest quick changes ever in a high school production, Hannah Stoud and the Run Crew, with the help of the Stage Management team, were perfectly integrated into each scene so that the audience was never left sitting in the dark. Dressed in farmhand outfits, the Run Crew were always in character, and proved to be vital assets to the production.
Each of the technical elements worked together to fully immerse the audience into River City, and with an absolutely stunning set to utilize, the lighting design had a lot of room for creativity. Designed by Spencer Morgan, the lighting design involved setting up beautiful stage pictures through silhouette and with spotlights, and using different color palettes during different numbers, which added subtle yet immaculate attention to detail. This impressive attention to detail from Morgan helped bring the entire production to life.
Seventy-six trombones led the big parade, but at Our Lady of Great Counsel High School, it only took one cast and crew to bring to life the age-defying magic and inspire yet another generation with the heartwarming story of “The Music Man!”
The performance reviewed was from Saturday, 3/24/2018.
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