Ohio Light Opera Presents The Music Man
The Ohio Light Opera presents The Music Man, a family-friendly musical comedy set in the Midwest during the early 1900s.
Introduction
The Ohio Light Opera will present The Music Man from July 7-August 11 at the College of Wooster’s Freedlander Theatre. The Music Man is a classic American musical that tells the story of a fast-talking salesman who tries to con the people of a small town into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he claims to lead. The show features such classic songs as “76 Trombones,” “Till There Was You,” and “Shipoopi.”
What is the Ohio Light Opera?
The Ohio Light Opera is a professional opera company in Wooster, Ohio, that specializes in the performance of American musical theater and operetta from the late 19th and early 20th century. The company was founded in 1979 by Robert J. Harth, then Director of Opera at The College of Wooster. It remains one of the only companies in the world that performs this type of repertoire exclusively.
The company has an ensemble of 36 principal artists from all over the United States and Canada, many of whom have gone on to careers in opera, musical theater, and concert work. The chorus is made up of local community members, averaging 60-70 per season. The company performs in Wooster’s historic Freedlander Theatre, a 987-seat venue originally built in 1913 as a movie palace.
The Ohio Light Opera season runs for eight weeks, typically beginning in late May/early June and ending in early/mid-July. Each season consists of five productions performed in repertory.
What is The Music Man?
The Music Man is a 1957 musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive Midwestern townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. Harold is no musician himself, and plans to skip town before the instruments are delivered. But librarian Marian Paroo sees through him, and exposes his fraud. Nevertheless, his charm wins her over, and she eventually falls in love with him. The original Broadway production was directed by Frank Loesser and starred Robert Preston as Harold Hill.
The Ohio Light Opera’s Production of The Music Man
The Ohio Light Opera’s production of The Music Man is a must-see for any fan of the classic musical. The Music Man tells the story of con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band leader to swindle the townspeople of River City, Iowa. The show features memorable tunes such as “76 Trombones” and “Till There Was You”. The Ohio Light Opera’s production of The Music Man is sure to be a hit with audiences of all ages.
What is the Ohio Light Opera’s production of The Music Man like?
The Ohio Light Opera presents The Music Man, a classic musical set in the early 1900s. The story follows con man Harold Hill as he attempts to swindle the town of River City, Iowa out of money by selling them musical instruments and promising to form a boys’ band. However, things start to go awry when he falls in love with the librarian Marian Paroo.
This production is full of classic songs like “Trouble” and “76 Trombones” that will have you tapping your toes along with the actors on stage. The costumes and sets are also true to the era, making you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. Whether you’re a fan of musicals or not, this production is sure to entertain and charm you.
What are the Ohio Light Opera’s production values like?
The Ohio Light Opera puts on a technically and musically proficient production of The Music Man. The acting is first-rate, the direction is steady, and the live orchestra adds greatly to the performers’ energy and the show’s overall quality. Given that this company specializes in operetta, it’s no surprise that they would excel at a musical like The Music Man.
Conclusion
The Ohio Light Opera did a fantastic job with The Music Man. The cast did a great job with the singing and dancing, and the set was well designed. The costumes were also well done and the music was great. I would highly recommend this production to anyone who enjoys musical theatre.
Why you should see the Ohio Light Opera’s production of The Music Man
The Ohio Light Opera is a professional repertory company that produces musical theatre from a variety of eras. This year, they are presenting The Music Man, which is set in the early 20th century. The Music Man is a classic musical that tells the story of con man Harold Hill, who poses as a bandleader and attempts to swindle the townspeople of River City, Iowa.
This production of The Music Man will be full of energy, humor, and great music. The Ohio Light Opera always puts on high-quality productions, and this show is sure to be no exception. If you’re a fan of musical theatre, or just want to see a great show, be sure to check out the Ohio Light Opera’s production of The Music Man!
