The Music Man

Opening on a sharp whistle and ending to thunderous applause, Landmark Musicals’ production of “The Music Man” is engaging entertainment from overture to curtain. Running on the ample stage at UNM’s Rodey Theatre through August 2, the beloved musical delivers delight for all ages. Written over an eight year span with some 30 revisions by the Julliard-schooled Robert Meredith Willson, “Music Man” depicts rural Iowa in July 1912, amazingly now more than a hundred years ago.

In fictional River City, a clever outside opportunist arrives, introducing himself as Harold Hill, Professor of Music, who convinces the residents that a marching band is just the thing to divert decent lads from becoming deadbeats. Hill’s true plan is to charge their parents for instruments, instruction booklets and uniforms, pocket the money and then hightail it out of town before his swindle is revealed. In the face of his desire for ill-gotten gains, Hill inadvertently enriches the townspeople by allowing them to realize their uniqueness, proving that music, indeed, is a cure-all.

Super talented Ryan Shepherd, a Harvard-educated dentist boasting Broadway credits, plays the infectious confidence man with his dial on the right setting. Shepherd portrays the Professor more pied piper than scammer while demonstrating impressive vocal command in “Trouble” and delivering a winning style of “Seventy Six Trombones” using dance moves that groove. When it’s time to woo Marian, town librarian and music teacher, Shepherd mellows Hill’s charismatic and cocky busker attitude appropriately, even showing a shy side.

Daniela Deuel’s reading of Marian is solid and smart. Deuel, a UNM music alumna, says Marian has long been a dream role for her and she clearly understands the character, mixing snobbery and sentiment with an expert flare. Her tone is well suited for the many measures she must tackle and she powers through the crazy high note ending of “My White Knight” showing necessary control. Deuel’s voice beautifully lengthens in “Till There Was You” and harmonizes nicely with Shepherd in the final duet version.

During “Rock Island” in the first scene, the salesmen in the ensemble strike a fun hip-hop cadence with their mastery of the spoken word song. Leading the School Board Quartet is the delightful and versatile singing champion Shawn Mondragon who strikes a fine pride in his responsibility for guiding the male vocal melodies. The part of Marcellus Washburn, Hill’s old friend and former cohort, is played by Alan Daugherty with pizzazz. His zest for musical theater will light a fire under those thinking of a career under the bright lights.

At the front of the town ladies cast is Erin Warden as Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, the Mayor’s wife. Warden is imaginative and clever as she frolics among the other impeccably shrill voices of the Pickalittle Ladies, who wear their feathery Titanic-era hats with great poise. Bringing her dependable Irish brogue is stage pro Ninette S. Mordaunt as Mrs. Paroo. Warren Asa Wilgus is pervasive as Mayor Shinn, donning a good nasally oration that can only be achieved with chest out, chin up and nose in the air. Alexander Baca is ideal as the lisping Winthrop Paroo. Last, but not least, hats off to the hardworking teen players who keep up with the adults in wonderful fashion, voice and step.

Wrangling a cast of three dozen members, director Zane Barker and choreographer Louis Giannini do a smashing job with “Music Man” surrounded by the fantastic production design of multiple Emmy winner Dahl Delu. A dozen noted local musicians in the pit, including UNM Masters of Music graduate Jesse Van Dam on trumpet, bring Willson’s Tony Award winning score to renewed life under musical director and conductor Darby Fegan.

There are several performances remaining so get your tickets soon for this affordable and thoroughly enjoyable timeless family classic.

On assignment for ABQToDo.