What is your role in The Music Man - A 50th Anniversary Tribute?
I play Marcellus Washburn. Marcellus used to be in the con business with Harold Hill, but he wasn't really that good at it and he decided it was time to live a simple honest life so he settled down in Iowa. Too bad, because if he kept going, maybe he could have been the title role of a musical too.
You are rehearsing this week at The Bushnell. What is a typical day at rehearsal?
Rehearsals are always nutty. Usually it takes a couple days to acclimate and get to know everybody, but we open in a week and Phil McKinley, our director, said there's no time to for any of that. He even warned me not to joke around too much, so I'm trying to be good. That's very difficult for me. This is a HUGE show - big cast, lots of wonderful songs and A LOT of dancing. In a week - It's CRAZY! Today, a lot of us were running back and forth between 3 rooms jumping from one scene to another. It was a frenzy not unlike Filene's Basement on Labor Day. I had to sing "Shipoopee" early this morning and I think I pulled an eyebrow it's so high.
What is your life like as an actor?
Oh it's a roller coaster! Except it doesn't make me throw up. Well, sometimes...
Why did you want to do this particular show?
The Bushnell Theatre BEGGED me to do this and when they said I 'd get more $$ than Patrick and Shirley put together, I agreed.
OK Not really- I just love this show and I have worked with Patrick Cassidy and Lisa Vroman and Shirley Jones and they are the absolute greatest. I worked with Shirley last summer in Oklahoma in Pittsburgh.Or was it Pittsburgh in Oklahoma? We had a ball. And Patrick and Lisa and I have done many things together, nothing that I can talk about here. I've also worked with the sassy Peg Hickey,our choreographer, and I've always WANTED to work with Phil McKinley our director, who I LOVE (Ihopehereadsthis). It's quite an emotional experience doing Music Man with Patrick and Shirley, who was so radiant in the film. Yesterday, Patrick and Lisa were singing "Till There Was You" and Shirley, Philip, me, oh heck EVERYBODY in the room was crying their eyes out. I'd love to write more but I'm late to rehearsal and I don't want to be yelled at. BYE!
Comments (3)
The Bushnell's production of The Music Man is so much fun!!! Loaded with talent in addition to Shirley Jones and Patrick Cassidy, you have Lisa Vroman with an incredible voice and the delightful Jason Graae, David Coffee as Mayor Shinn and my personal favorite is Mary Stout as the Mayor's wife. I have been a long time fan of Mary Stout and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to see her on stage again. The choreography was exceptional and a marvel that it was pulled to gether in one week of rehearsals. In addition, it was great to see our friends and neighbors from the Hartford Symphony as well as the local theater students from the Hartt School. Hats off to the Bushnell for bringing the local community together for a memorable performance. This is truly a show that should not be missed
Posted by Terri Cole | April 22, 2008 11:07 AM
Posted on April 22, 2008 11:07
I attended last night's performance. What an exciting show! And to see Shirley and Patrick in it was nothing less than thrilling. There isn't a weak person in this cast and it truly kept me singing and dancing in my seat. And to see so many young children in the audience, many of whom were probably seeing a show for the first time, was especially exciting. I always love to see the look on a child's face the first time they are experiencing live theatre. Kudos to the entire cast.
Posted by Amber Dunphy | April 24, 2008 12:55 PM
Posted on April 24, 2008 12:55
I was a fan of THE MUSIC MAN-since I was a child.
I even had fun playing one of River City, Iowa
(I-O-WAY!)LOL youngster. A local stage production in California.
Who'd dream when Shirley Jones did the movie-
she'd be pregnant with the star of THIS MUSIC MAN-
Patrick Cassidy.
Was that why Patrick kicked Robert Preston in the film(ala Shirley's tummy?)Cause he was saying "I can play THIS part BETTER than you?"LOL!
God Rest Robert Preston. And Break a leg on the cast.
May University of Arizona do a splendid job doing THIS wonderful musical In one year's hence.
Posted by Vicki Boston | April 24, 2008 1:36 PM
Posted on April 24, 2008 13:36