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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2009 PCPA THEATERFEST’S 45th ANNIVERSARY SEASON The Music Man
It’s the family pleasing musical, 76 trombones strong, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, playing in Santa Maria July 17 – August 1, then in Solvang’s Festival Theater from August 7 through the 23rd. Resident artist Michael Jenkinson makes his directorial debut and will do double duty as choreographer. He will be assisted by Brad Carroll, musical directing (also doing double duty acting in the role of Mayor Shinn). Featured is resident artist Andrew Philpot as con-man Professor Harold Hill who plans on cleaning up in River City with the ruse of forming a boys marching band. Also featured are Erik Stein as Marcellus Washburn, Elizabeth Stuart as Mrs. Shinn, Kitty Balay Genge as Mrs. Paroo and Corey Jones as Charlie Cowell. The production team includes Andrew Layton, Scenic Designer; Frederick P. Deeben, Costume Designer; Jennifer ‘Z’ Zornow, Lighting Designer; and Matt Carpenter, Sound Designer. Production Stage Manager is Christine Collins. The Music Man was the sensation of Broadway when it opened in 1957 and went on to score five Tony Awards, including Best Musical (beating out West Side Story). Grammy winning songs include, “Till There Was You,” “76 Trombones,” “Pick-A-Little,” and what started out as dialogue would become the show-stopping tuner, “Ya Got Trouble.” Meredith Willson (1902 — 1984) was born in Mason City, Iowa, and played the flute in John Philip Sousa’s famous band from 1921 to 1923. He then joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1924 to 1929. In the late 1930s he moved to NBC in Hollywood, and was musical director on many of the famous radio shows of that era including the Burns and Allen show. He also composed for motion pictures and, in the 1940s, was twice nominated for an Academy Award. He also composed symphonies and a number of popular songs. His song “Till There Was You” became a hit for the Beatles in 1964 and would be the only song from a Broadway musical the Fab Four ever recorded. Proud of his mid-western roots, Willson wrote that The Music Man was easily recognized as a tribute to his home state and he didn’t attempt to try to “rose-color up our Iowa-stubborn ways.” He also left a personal note on the inside of the script for all subsequent productions to guarantee his original intent. He simply stated that he wrote The Music Man to be a valentine and not a caricature of the people of Iowa. Some possible Harold Hills considered by the producers before settling on Robert Preston who starred in the original Broadway production and later in the motion picture... PCPA’s The Music Man plays in the Marian Theatre from July 17 through August 1 then in the Festival Theater from August 7 through the 23th. Still coming this summer: based on the popular movie by David Zlotoff, The Spitfire Grill comes to the stage as a delightful musical brimming with Americana charm infused with Bluegrass and Broadway musical traditions. The folksy score propels its story of hope and redemption with such tunes as “Something’s Cooking at the Spitfire Grill,” “Coffee Cups and Gossip,” and “Into the Frying Pan.” Percy, a young woman looking for a new beginning in a small Mid-West town, will be played by guest artist Lexy Fridell (Avenue Q, Finding Nemo), also Phoebe Moyer (Last Night at Ballyhoo) as Hannah, Michael Jenkinson as Joe, and Colum Parke Morgan as Caleb. It’s directed by Valerie Rachelle. The L.A. Times wrote, “This tale of renewal is like a pair of arms, waiting to wrap its audience in a hug.” The Spitfire Grill plays August 7 through the 23rd in Santa Maria, then August 28 through September 13 in Solvang. Amid a whirlwind of distractions, the play is alternately, funny, touching, sad, and wonderful. A mother wants to do what’s right for her son and must decide between all the advise she’s offered, and wonders if medicating him is the answer. The play explores parenting, analysis, and the struggle to focus in an era of confusion, the Internet, and Ritalin. It premiered in Los Angeles in 2007 and made its Off-Broadway debut this past February. Distracted plays only in the Severson Theatre on the Allan Hancock College Campus, August 28 through September 20. (Contains adult language) For tickets call 805-922-8313 between 1 and 7pm Wednesday through Sunday, or purchase tickets online anytime at www.pcpa.org. Information about Group Sales for 12 or more patrons may be obtained by contacting groups@pcpa.org or by calling 1-800-PCPA-123. The Solvang Festival Theater Box Office is open Wednesday through Sunday, 4 to 7pm, and on Tuesdays with performances. Now in its 45th season, PCPA Theaterfest is the Central Coast’s Resident Professional Theatre Company, and has infused the national theatre scene with thousands of trained actors and theatrical technicians over the years in its conservatory. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the Solvang Festival Theater.
Just the facts:
Box Office: (805) 922-8313, hours from 1 to 7pm Wednesday - Sunday. Calendar, casting, and notes on the production at this link. # # #
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