David Coffee plays Mayor Shinn in The Bushnell's production of The Music Man - A 50th Anniversary Tribute, running April 22-27. Welcome to The Bushnell Blog, David!
Dear Bushnell Blog,
Howdy! This is David Coffee writing to you from beautiful Hartford, CT. (And, it really IS beautiful!) I am here to play Mayor Shinn in the Bushnell's concert staging of "THE MUSIC MAN," but I actually make my home in Arlington, TX.
This is a very special production. It is the first show produced by the Bushnell! It's not a tour. It also incorporates the talents of Edward Cumming of The Hartford Symphony as well as a chorus from the Hartt School of Music! It is also a special reunion for our two stars. Shirley Jones played Marian (the Librarian) in the film, but she told me she had not performed the show since her screen appearance. She is playing Mrs. Paroo in our production. Patrick Cassidy (her youngest son and our Harold Hill) is also seen in the film version; but you have to look VERY closely because Shirley was pregnant with him at the time of the filming. Patrick said he has been waiting his whole life to play this role.
This is the 50th anniversary of the show's debut on Broadway. Personally, I'm celebrating my 40th anniversary of acting this year! I started when I was eleven!
One of the neatest things about being in the Theatre is the people! One may go for years without seeing someone and suddenly, being cast in a show with them, you pick up old friendships like it was yesterday. I am enjoying that experience with several of our cast members. Our fantastic Marian (Lisa Vroman) and I had the pleasure to appear together in Kopit & Yeston's "PHANTOM" in 1992. Lisa went on to perform the role of Christine in Lloyd Webber's "PHANTOM" for YEARS afterward! Her voice is amazing! And when you hear her and Shirley and little Abigail McMillan as Amaryllis sing "Goodnight My Someone" - well, just bring a hankie! It sends a shiver of pride to see three generations on that stage! I am also delighted to be reunited with Kym Chambers (who plays Mrs. Squires), Adam Cates (Ensemble and Dance Captain), Mary Jo McConnell (who plays Alma Hix), Buddy Crutchfield (who plays Oliver Hix) and Florence Sturgeon (who plays Maud Dunlop). Kym and I did "THE WIZARD OF OZ" last summer with our director, Phil McKinley and Adam. We also appeared in "CAMELOT" at Boston's Shubert Theatre (where it played its original out of town tryout). Mary Jo and I appeared in a ten-person production of "MY FAIR LADY" for Portland Center Stage (Oregon) and the Dallas Theater Center. Buddy is also a Texas boy who got his start where I did: Casa Manana's theatre-in-the-round in Fort Worth, Texas. We did "GUYS AND DOLLS" together back in the mid 1990's. Another Casa Manana alum is our marvelous Music Supervisor on this show, the incredible Eugene Gwodz. Florence and I go back even farther. We both attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. (Home of the Fighting Horn Frogs!)
Then there are my new dear friends: My wonderful stage family (the delightful Mary Stout as my wife and Bradley Benjamin and Laura Spineti as my talented daughters Zaneeta and Gracie), great roommate Bob Freschi (who plays the anvil salesman, Charlie Cowell) and my part-time chauffeur, the hilarious Jason Graae (who plays Harold Hill's old pal, Marcellus Washburn).
When you come to "THE MUSIC MAN" (and I strongly encourage you to do so), you'll see a tremendously talented group of people who came together eight days before our opening to begin to prepare this classic for your enjoyment. I hope YOU will see a small midwestern town develop before your very eyes. And, I hope you see what I see: an amazing family (somewhat dysfunctional) of players, performers and staff presenting you with the gift of a memorable evening you will never forget.
See you there,
David Coffee
Comments (4)
Dear Mr. Coffee:Thank you for your interesting comments on acting and being in The Music Man.
I saw the show last night (Wednesday). Your performance, along with the dozens of others in the show were superb. Is there nothing as thrilling as watching talent express itself? That is what I felt when I watched MM. You, Ms. Jones, Patrick, Ms. Marion, Jason Graae are the obvious choices to single out, as you all should be. Everyone else, including that battleax wife of yours, Mrs. Shinn, deserve similar praise.
Personally, I think the lyrics and score of this musical to be near genius; when you add the skill of the Bushnell production cast you walk away thinking you have witnessed something great.
I have a few questions:
1. Why not take it on the road? The answer is probably the grind of the raod is not worth the dollars to be gained without guarantees of box office. Seems a shame not to let others see this production.
2. I always wonder where actors and actresses stay when they are in a strange city. I hope the Bushnell management doesn't make you stay with well-meaning local "theater people."
3. One final question I have always wondered; what or who, ever cast Buddy Hackett as Marcellius in the MM movie? I couldn't help but compare J. Graae's entertaining performance to that dismal one of 40-years ago. What a strong part it is if only played well. I can only think there was some back-room Hollywood scam going on at the time that required someone to hire Mr. Hackett. I mean this just couldn't be put down to bad judgement, right? No reason to reply - no one probably knows, cares or remembers the answer to this question at this point.
Thank you all -- I still feel emotionally charged from the show last night - the joy of brushing up against art for a few short hours. Please pass along appreciation to anyone who will listen.
Mary Fox
Posted by Mary Fox | April 24, 2008 2:47 PM
Posted on April 24, 2008 14:47
Dear Mary,
First of all, thanks for coming to our show and sharing your kind words. To try and answer your questions:
1. Why not take it on the road?
I believe most (if not all) of us would be honored to share this production with others around the country. The main drawback lies with scheduling. Everyone involved with this production has other upcoming commitments. Secondly, the rehearsal with orchestras in each town would add extra costs. Thirdly, we'd probably have to cast the youth group in each town. All of these items, however, could be accomplished if there were truly a demand. I understand that there are some people coming in to look at the show for possible remounting in their venues. As an actor, I can only say it is always nice to be employed. HA! This production, however, remains a special event for our company.
2. Most of the cast are staying in Manchester at an extended-stay-style hotel. It's very nice. Patrick, Shirley and some of our staff are staying downtown. The growth of business-extended-stay-type hotels have been great for actors. I remember the days when we would rent rooms in local folks homes, or stay in not-always-the-best hotels.
3. I have no idea why Buddy Hackett was cast as Marcellus. I do know he starred in a Broadway musical, "I HAD A BALL" and was a staple on television. So, he may have just been "hot" at that time. Another possibility that still exists in our own time is that he might have been part of a package deal through his agency. Sometimes, if a particular actor is wanted for a part, the agency will offer other clients as "suggestions" for other roles so the agency can collect more money.
It was interesting to me that Shirley Jones said she didn't have to audition (or screen test) for Marian. In fact, I believe Shirley said she only did a couple of screen tests in her career.
I'll try to remember to ask Shirley about Buddy Hackett.
Thanks Mary.
Sincerely,
David
Posted by David Coffee | April 25, 2008 1:10 AM
Posted on April 25, 2008 01:10
Hi David,
I saw the show last Wednesday and really enjoyed it. I've been talking it up to my friends and family. I also found your blog interesting but there was one error. Patrick Cassidy is Shirley Jone's middle son, not her youngest. Ryan is younger. If you ask Shirley or Patrick, I'm sure that they will confirm that!
Thanks.
Kris
PS I don't know if you can pass this on to your director but my one comment about the show was that the Pick-a-Little Reprise was WONDERFUL. However, Eulalie needs a "button" on the end. People wanted to clap but she just walked off the stage. I understand that they wanted to segue into the next scene but she needs to do something so we, the audience, can show our appreciation for what was a nice music number.
Posted by Kris | April 28, 2008 11:41 AM
Posted on April 28, 2008 11:41
Thanks, Kris! You are SO right! I got to meet them this weekend. It was so great having them there for the show, and to see the proud Mama!
Thanks again for setting me straight!
- David
Posted by David Coffee | April 29, 2008 12:20 AM
Posted on April 29, 2008 00:20