Silver Bay Area Community Theatre-The Music Man

Rehearsals are in full swing for Silver Bay Area Community Theatre's (SBACT) American musical comedy production of, The Music Man, directed by Chip Brown. The Music Man cast and crew gathered on the Silver Bay William Kelley High School stage for the first time on January 22 to begin the 13 week process which will culminate in three performances on April 20, 21 & 22, 2007. It is the largest cast, 63, ever assembled for SBACT as the community theatre embarks on its 5th production in five years. 38 school children and at least 25 adults will act, sing and dance their way through songs including: Rock Island, Ya Got Trouble, Iowa Stubborn, Goodnight My Someone, Seventy-six Trombones, Pick-a-Little,Talk-a-Little, Marion The Librarian, The Wells Fargo Wagon, Gary,Indiana, Lida Rose and Till There Was You.

Paul Deaner and Heather Sullivan will anchor the lead roles of Harold Hill and Marian Paroo. Other notables include Paul Taintor (Mayor George Shinn), Terri Frericks-Blood (Eulalie Mackecknie Shin), Scott Thun (Marcellus Washburn), Annie Andrus (Mrs. Paroo), John Paulseth (Winthrop), Abbey Paulseth (Amaryllis), Justin Jacobsen (Tommy Djilas), Sonja Smerud (Zaneeta Shinn), plus the barbershop quartet.

Mr. Brown, who directed SBACT's 2005 production, You Can't Take It With You, will be directing his first musical. Choreographer Susan Michels and Orchestra Director David Haaversen will return in their leadership roles plus veteran SBACT crew leader, Sue Churack, will stage manage the show.

The Music Man opened on Broadway in 1957 and won five Tony Awards including "Best Musical." It is the story of con artist, Harold Hill, who convinces the gullible folks of River City, Iowa to pay him money to start the "River City Boys Band" with instruction, instruments and uniforms. However the good folks of River City are unaware that "Professor Hill" can't read a lick of music. His plan is to blow town with the money before his scam gets uncovered. But alas, he falls in love with Marian ("Madamn Librarian") Paroo which more than delays his departure, running the risk of being tarred and feathered by angry townsfolk.

Set construction for The Music Man began last September followed in November by the annual three day scene painting workshop led by Ann Gumpper with assistance from SBACT Paint Charge Connie Clark.

SBACT recently formed a board of directors and is in the process of applying for federal non profit status under a new title to be announced this spring, according to Program Director Paul Deaner.

For additional information contact Paul Deaner at 218-353-7509 / deaner@lakenet.com.

SBACT first rehearsal photograph by Karsten Hogenson

First row, left to right: Kira Papillon, Maddie Malone, Lyric Johnson, Rebecca Larson, Aubrey Thun, John Paulseth, Carly Sandman, Erika Ernest, Abbey Paulseth, Chip Brown (Play Director), Jasmine McKinney, Mitchell Blomberg, Jesse Tobey, Becky Tobey, Noelle Tobey, Kara Schmidt, Jenessa Russell, Christine Greer, Cheryl Papillon

Second row, left to right: Annette Fischer, Rick Frericks, Charles Finch, Logan Fischer, John Burns, Emma Bemlott, Mark Harris, Ryan Stern, Jessica Hipple, Katie Geissler, Sonja Smerud, Shayna Sellars, Deborah Russell, Rachel Drew-Thun, Annie Andrus

Third row, left to right: Terri Frericks-Blood, David Abazs, Heather Sullivan, Scott Thun,

Bob Barnabee, Paul Deaner, Brad Johnson, Paul Taintor, Jolita Svambaryte, Kirstin Larson, Justin Jacobsen, Guthrie Cunningham, Nicole Stern, Emma Deaner, Diane Helander, Sara Glavan

Not Pictured: Kristi Achor, Brianna Golesh, Libby Guzzo, Taniya Johnson, Chelsea Larson, Abby Michels, Allison Morris, Amanda Warzecha, Lura Wilson, + Wolf Ridge naturalists to be announced

PHOTO A - SBACT Paint Charge Connie Clark and actress/artist Rachel Drew-Thun;

PHOTO B - Scene Painter-Set Designer Ann Gumpper;

PHOTO C - Scene painting professional Ann Gumpper demonstrates for crew;

PHOTO D - THE MUSIC MAN Play Director Chip Brown learns from veteran scene painters

Maddie Malone, "Mad Max" Andrus and Kara Schmidt