The Music Man
at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School

Reviewed on March 24, 2018

Lizzy Maisel
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

There might be trouble in River City, but there certainly wasn't in Our Lady of Good Counsel High School's production of The Music Man. The trouble occurs when Professor Harold Hill arrives in the town of River City, Iowa, in the summer of 1912 and convinces the townspeople that he is an experienced musician. He then vows to form a band consisting of the children of River City. The only issue is that Harold doesn't know a trumpet from a treble clef.

With music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, The Music Man follows Professor Harold Hill as he prowls around town with no intention except retrieving money from the somewhat gullible, yet opinionated, citizens. Originally a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey, The Music Man has won five Tony Awards including Best Musical during its run on Broadway, which began in 1957.

Professor Harold Hill makes progress in his sinful scheme to scam the townspeople. That is, until Marian Paroo, River City's stern and stunning librarian and piano teacher, is not quite convinced that Harold is as musically well-educated as he claims. Additionally, Harold must juggle the feelings he develops for Marian, who is temporarily uninterested. However, after seeing the kind way Harold treats the children of River City, including her brother Winthrop, Marian can't help but surrender to his charm.

Robert Liniak portrayed Harold Hill with a confident swagger that believably won over the River City citizens. His excellent diction in "(Ya Got) Trouble" and "Seventy-Six Trombones" was crucial to his loud and clear performance. In their duet "Till There Was You," Liniak and Sumie Yotsukura, portraying Marian Paroo, created a sweet romance between their dissimilar characters. Yotsukura's gorgeous vocals shone through in "Goodnight, My Someone" and "Will I Ever Tell You," and she credibly created Marian's dynamic transformation. From eye rolls to blushing if Harold Hill's name was mentioned, it was clear that Marian's disinterest had been altered to romantic admiration.

Luke Amato as Mayor Shinn expressed comical determination to recite The Gettysburg Address, but was rudely interrupted when the townspeople had important announcements to discuss. He developed a protectiveness when discovering that teen Tommy Djilas had been seeing his daughter, Zaneeta, unbeknownst to him. Other standout performances included that of Cheyenne Parks and Cosette Rosales, who portrayed Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn and Amaryllis Hix. Parks' comedic flair and hilarious relationship with the Pick-a-Littles, a chorus highly reminiscent of gossipy chickens, were a genuine treat for the audience. Rosales wore a bright smile for the duration of her performance and believably portrayed a young child, an impressive undertaking for a senior in high school. The large and lively ensemble engaged the audience and kept the energy flowing.

With a cloudy blue-sky backdrop on the cyclorama and a sunset that progressively became dimmer, Spencer Morgan's lighting choices engrossed the audience members' attention. Every actor onstage was audible and didn't have trouble projecting. Costumes were aesthetically pleasing to the audience, as they were colorful without steering away from the plot. Set pieces and props including street signs and bookshelves further enhanced this production.

They might not have had seventy-six trombones, but the energetic and dedicated cast and crew of Our Lady of Good Counsel's production of the Music Man proved that "no matter who one is or what one is working for, one can do anything if one puts one's mind to it."

Kathryn Webb
Paul VI Catholic High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

It's nothing but blue skies and apple pies in the quaint little town of River City, Iowa... or at least it was until a brash new stranger rolls into town and alerts every one of the terrible danger their community is in. Meredith Willson's The Music Man is an American classic that is near and dear to the hearts of many, and it has been that way ever since its original Broadway debut in 1957. The show has stood the test of time, as audiences still love to watch Professor Harold Hill swindle Iowans using nothing but fast talking and quick thinking. Our Lady of Good Counsel High School did this heartwarming story of repentance and justice and made for a thoroughly entertaining show.

Robert Liniak carried cast as the show's title character, Professor Harold Hill. With stage presence to spare, Liniak dominated the stage with overwhelming charisma and physicality that brought everything he had into his performance. With a voice as strong as his acting, Liniak put on quite a show for both the audience and the people of River City. Liniak's charm, fast talking, and confidence nearly convinced the audience to buy into his nonexistent boy's band.

Opposite Liniak's Hill was Sumie Yotsukura as Marian Paroo. Yotsukura displayed powerful and impressive classical style vocals throughout the show, but namely in "Goodnight, My Someone" and "Till There Was You." The pair displayed strong acting skills and played off each other well during their struggle for power throughout the show, especiallyat its peak during "Marian the Librarian."

The supporting cast created a funny, charming, and convincing community that served as a genuinely interesting backdrop for the plot. Mayor Shinn (Luke Amato) and his wife, Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (Cheyenne Parks), both were at the top of their comedic game. Both actors knew how to get a laugh and took every opportunity to do so. Parks, in particular, stole the show and gained laughs just by walking across the stage. Parks was supported by her Pick-a-Little ladies whose over the top physicality and maintained serious demeanor created some of the most hilarious highlights of the show. The School Board Quartet also contributed to the comedy of the show with their ability to be duped again and again with a song.

The technical aspects of the show brought River City to life with a small town, American Gothic aesthetic that perfectly placed the audience in the setting of 1912 Iowa. The lights were used to their full potential and served as the backdrop. The lighting crew made lovely visuals of blue skies and sunsets and used duller brown-grays to create a feeling of being indoors for each of the scenes in the town gymnasium. The costumes were consistently period and had nice pastel color palettes that distinguish each of the small families in the ensemble.

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School successfully put on a charming and aesthetically pleasing show despite some problems with audibility and inconsistent accents. The ensemble, ranging from very young to young at heart, all came together to invite audiences into their small, fictional city. Together, with the leads and tech crews, the company of The Music Man nicely executed difficult pieces of music and pulled off a show that was just delightful.

Emma Shacochis
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Take a crafty con man, involve a logical librarian, and add 76 trombones: ya got a showstopper! Our Lady of Good Counsel High School's melodious cast and incredible technical work make "The Music Man" a magnificent, mile-a-minute musical comedy.

With music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, and book by Willson and Franklin Lacey, "The Music Man" has been lauded since its 1957 Broadway debut, collecting five Tony Awards, including a win for Best Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The tuner has remained iconic in musical theatre history via several reincarnations, including a 1962 Academy Award-winning film, a Broadway revival in 2000, and a 2003 television adaptation.

When faux-professor and genuine con man Harold Hill steps off the train one summer in the sleepy town of River City, Iowa, he sets the citizens abuzz with his suggestion of a boys' band for the local children. As Harold infuses the town with music throughout his con, he must contend with the demure local piano teacher, Marian, who sees through his lies - and slowly captures his heart.

As Harold Hill, a hustler with a heart of gold, Robert Liniak gleams with confidence and charisma as he self-assuredly sweeps through River City. Hill's signature "patter" songs - tunes based around his rapid, swindling spiels - feature rat-a-tat verses that are executed cleanly by Liniak, who never falters in his precise diction.

Sumie Yotsukura, as Marian "the Librarian" Paroo, soars in her solos, such as "Will I Ever Tell You", letting her golden voice reveal the wistfulness and longing of her reserved, prim character. Liniak and Yotsukura bring sweet, natural chemistry to their equally stubborn duo, making the divine duet, "Till There Was You", a heartfelt hit.

Among the unique residents of River City, standouts include Marian's warmhearted mother, Mrs. Paroo (Schuylar Johns, reveling in a fantastic Irish brogue); blustering, drawling Mayor Shinn (Luke Amato); and his preening wife, Mrs. Eulalie Shinn (Cheyenne Parks), who launches into impromptu ballet moves whenever the opportunity arises.

The bountiful ensemble, as the denizens of River City, fill their numbers with humor and skill - from going into hysterics in "(Ya Got) Trouble" to quietly dancing among the library selves in "Marian the Librarian". Aside from their strong 20th century dialects and a congruous sense of community between one another, the cliques of townspeople - from the gossiping ladies of the dance committee to the squabbling school board-turned-barbershop quartet - create harmonies that blend together gorgeously.

The show's theatrical composition feels lush and cinematic - from the lighting (Spencer Morgan), which illuminates the summer sky with cheerful blues and romantic sunsets; to the scenic design (Sarah Small, et al.), which features quilt-patterned trees and a lantern-lit footbridge that feel straight out of a painting. Additionally, the stage crew (Hannah Stoudt, et al.), who create excellently smooth scene changes, are decked out in farmhand getups that bring them into the story.

A gleeful adaptation of the classic musical, Our Lady of Good Counsel High School's "The Music Man" will march its way into your heart with its sincere charm and terrific tunes.

Lindsey Jacobson
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

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!

Katherine Kelly
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to The Catholic Herald

There's trouble with a capital T in River City when a two-faced, tuneful, traveling salesman trots into town. As Harold Hill, who can't tell a base drum from a pipe organ, attempts to con yet another town into buying his instruments and music lessons, Our Lady Of Good Counsel High School's The Music Man unfolds into a swaying, swinging showstopper.

The Music Man, with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Wilson, has been widely acclaimed since opening on Broadway in 1957 and has seen many adaptations, including the popular 1962 film. The musical follows Harold Hill, a con man posing as a traveling salesman and professor. He visits midwestern towns, advertising the opportunity for young boys to join a band in order to fend off trouble. The catch? Harold has no musical knowledge and plans to leave after collecting payments but before teaching any lessons. Problems arise in River City when the town librarian and music teacher Marian sees through his schemes, but both Marian and Harold find themselves conflicted when they begin to fall in love.

The cunning Harold was performed delightfully by Robert Liniak. His vocals were incredibly impressive, complementing his adept control over fast-paced "speak-songs". As well as vocally, Liniak stood out with his physical comedy, flirting shamelessly with the exasperated "Marian the Librarian". Sumie Yotsukura, playing Marian, was talented in her own right, with equally stunning vocal ability and an endearing chemistry with Liniak.

Showcasing Harold's profound effect on River City were the many townspeople turned musical upon his arrival. A bickering school board counsel was transformed into a quartet, made up of Graham Haederle, Dylan Nguyen, Joey Mantua, and Josh Rickey, who were a constant source of entertainment and impressed with their delightful harmonies. Meanwhile, Cheyenne Parks as Mrs. Shinn, the mayor's wife, found herself humorously caught up between her love of dance and her loyalty to her stern husband, played by Luke Amato. Other on stage standouts included Schuylar Johns as Mrs. Paroo, Marian's trusting and spunky mother, and Cosette Rosales, who delivered perfectly her young, vivacious persona as Amaryllis, Marian's piano student.

Applaudable technical elements truly transformed the stage into a small town. A picturesque set featured hanging houses, wallpapered trees, and multiple moving pieces, creating a homey feeling and gorgeous stage pictures. An attention to detail was evident through a realistic fire hydrant, street sign, and an array of real instruments. Thoughtful costume designs ensured each character wore something unique, yet blended into a beautiful overall color pallette. Lighting, as well, enhanced the colors of the performance, featuring sunsets, spotlights, and flickering sunlight through train windows.

While Harold Hill may appear to be a good-for-nothing trouble maker, his positive impacts on a community were showcased in The Music Man. Our Lady of Good Counsel High School wonderfully told a classic story of joy and hope, inspiring all to see the world as a brighter place.