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Photo by Bill Stover                                            ‘Music Man’ at Stages St. Louis offers warmth,  two of the best voices we have heard in any production

by Daniel Hines
Publisher, America’s Seniors at TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com

While ’76 Trombones’ played as a finale to ‘The Music Man’, the Stages St. Louis audience did not give the usual standing ovation, choosing instead to sit,  clap and hum along with the music to give the performers their curtain call.

It wasn’t because the show lacked anything.  It was just that it was that the production was like a warm and memorable evening visiting with an old friend for an evening that one really doesn’t want to end. 

That’s a tribute to this presentation of ‘The Music Man’.  It exudes warmth,  backed by strong performances, and offering two of the most outstanding voices we have heard in any production of any show we have seen in St. Louis in Graham Rowat as Professor Harold Hill and Christy Morton as Marian (Madam Librarian).

Rowat is an impressive figure on stage but it is the range and depth of his signing that makes him memorable.  Ms. Morton is a lovely woman whose wonderful voice reminds one of famed British soprano Leslie Garrett, whom Michael Crawford described as ‘his favorite soprano.  If he could hear Ms. Morton, he might have to ask Leslie to move over.

When the Professor and the Librarian sing ‘Till There Was You’, the chemistry is such that it makes one think of such great combinations as Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson.

Rowat and Ms. Morton are supported by a cast of characters who seem to be natural in their roles, and who charm the audience. Perhaps it’s because of Missouri’s proximity to Iowa, but more than likely than that, it’s because this is the type of show in which Stages St. Louis excels…a great story, wonderful music and the bringing together of a cast that really seems to enjoy what it is doing.

Gretchen Hewitt is absolutely hilarious as Eulalie Shinn, the insufferable wife of River City Mayor Shinn. Stages’ favorite Whit Reichert is perfect as the frustrated and pompous Mayor Shinn, continually butchering the English language, perhaps because of his frustration at being married to Eulalie, plus being the Mayor of a place like River City.

One of the highlights of any presentation of ‘The Music Man’ is the Barbershop Quartet songs that provide a delightful backdrop throughout the evening.  Stages took the opportunity to highlight the versatility of some of its ‘regulars’ as Steve Isom, Ben Nordstrom, Oliver Hix and Jacey Squires took on the roles of the battling school board members who bond through the magic of singing.  One of my particular favorites is ‘Lida Rose’ sung as a counter melody to ‘Will I Ever Tell You,’ sung by Ms. Morton.  Absolutely beautiful.

Eulalie Shinn’s ‘entourage’ of gossipy, wanna-be society leader town ladies, played with appropriate gusto by Lynn Humphrey, Michelle Burdette Elmore, April Strelinger and Kellie Frohnert, are perfect as they fawn over Eulalie and do character assignation on Marian. 

A special note must be made of Spender Milford, who plays Winthrop Paroo, the younger brother of Marian.  As anyone who has seen the show know, Winthrop is troubled by the death of his Father and a lisp that embarrasses him and prevents him from having any type of life…until he meets Harold Hill, who teaches him to sing ‘Gary, Indiana’ because it’s a song without too many ‘s’.

Milford blew the roof off the theater.  He has excellent projection, a gift many younger singers lack, and his enthusiasm and self-confidence are outstanding.  This young man is gong to have a great show business career.

Peggy Bilo   is wonderful as the independent, hard-working no-nonsense Irish Mother of Winthrop and Marian.  And, speaking of young performers, the Isom family tradition as Stages St. Louis’ favorites is certainly going to be secured by Abigail, daughter of Steve and Ellen Isom. 

Put all this together and the stage literally is set for a visit with an old friend as we are reminded just how magical ‘The Music Man’ really is.  It withstands the test of time and never seems dated. 

And, for the record, as the final curtain was prepared to go down, the audience did stand to applaud and express its appreciation for a warm, wonderful evening.