By Robert Coleman
Special To The Tribune
Salt Lake TribuneUpdated:
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Park City » Going from fresh snow on Park City's December streets to Iowa in July seemed quite unusual. Why would a theater in this winter sports hot spot present Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" this time of year?
But the Egyptian Theatre Company's lively production had the audience quickly shedding coats and longing for ice-cold lemonade.
The musical's story of con man Harold Hill (Mark R. Gollaher) selling band instruments and uniforms to the parents of River City's youth, and skeptical librarian/piano teacher Marian Paroo (Carianne H. Jones), unfolded enthusiastically. The rapid-paced production benefited from Gollaher's fast-talking, relentless performance and director Terrence Goodman's judicious score cuts.
Gollaher's transformation from an oily salesman to love-smitten penitent is remarkable. His slightly raspy voice had trouble reaching low notes during "Seventy-Six Trombones" but achieved clearer focus on songs with Jones, including "Till There Was You." Her buttery voice had operatic heft in "My White Knight" (a tune replaced by "Being in Love" for the movie), but took on a tender shade for "Goodnight My Someone." Vocally and physically, she was Gollaher's opposite, but they quickly developed an appealing chemistry.
The solid cast had many other standouts. Mason Johnson stole the show as Winthrop. There may not have been a more endearing version of this character since Ronnie Howard played the lisping child on the big screen. His priceless expressions and fearless rendition of "Gary Indiana" are worth the price of a ticket.
Charleton W. Bluford as Hill's friend Marcellus Washburn is another total-package performer. "Shipoopi" highlighted his appealing voice, effortless dancing and considerable acting chops.
Kinetic energy and bluster infused Bob Longoria's depiction of anvil salesman Charlie Cowell. Expressive eyes and feigned pomposity made Dee Macaluso's portrait of the mayor's wife, Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn, less forbidding but she sustained a scene-stealing presence throughout.
Veteran actor Fredric Cook as Mayor Shinn suffered from some comedic timing misfires that robbed some of the intended bufoonery from his character's lines. But his jowl-wobbling line "Where's the band?" was a unique touch.
The school board-turned-barbershop quartet -- Aaron Spencer, W. Derek Hendricks, Tyson Richard Baker and Rick LaPointe -- delivered tight harmony and animated performances.
The rest of the cast delivered polished performances and maximized the small capacity of the stage thanks to Goodman's purposeful direction and Janet Muse Gray's compelling choreography.
Anne Benson's beautifully detailed, efficient sets allowed scenes to flow seamlessly. Nancy Hill's turn-of-the-century costumes, Jesse Portillo's lighting and Eric Robinette's sound design kept eyes and ears focused on Iowa's small-town citizenry. And a seven-piece band led by keyboardist Trevor Jerome accomplished the yeoman's task of distilling a full orchestral score into a tight combo chart. Trumpet player Reed LeCheminant's endurance was particularly amazing.
As Professor Hill told Marian, "Pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you have nothing but a bunch of empty yesterdays." Don't miss an opportunity to spend a bit of your holiday in Iowa.
What » "The Music Man"
Where » Egyptian Theatre, 328 S. Main St., Park City
When » Reviewed Dec. 4; continues at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 28. Additional shows Dec. 11 and 18 at 7 p.m.
Tickets » $16-$30, at 435-649-9371 or www.ParkCityShows.com.
Running time » Two hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission.
Bottom line » An energetic "Music Man" has marched into Park City for the holiday season.
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