The Music Man : Show Development and Promotion

[jo]

This is a gem - an interview with Barbara Cook on Theatre Talk re her time in The Music Man!

[jo]

This is a surprise - a once-famous sultry and smoky-voiced singer named Peggy Lee gives TIL THERE WAS YOU her own interpretation.

A bit jazzy or is it a it of Latin rhythm, but it works very well, too!




I also watched a clip of Kristin Chenoweth singing the song -- she did it with her excellent soprano tones... but I am not so sure... will modern theatre audiences ( especially the preferred demos of 18-49 years old) react to a different style or range for this song?

Personally, maybe I wouldn't mind if Sutton gave the song her very own interpretation.


Jo

[jo]

Looking forward to Hugh Jackman's version of wooing Marian The Librarian


This is the Preston film version --

[jo]

The original cast recording of the musical The Music Man was elected to the Grammy Hall of Fame award in 1998 ( it was originally released in 1958) --

GRAMMY Hall Of Fame

The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame was established by the Recording Academy's National Trustees in 1973 to honor recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old. Inductees are selected annually by a special member committee of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts.

Will this honor disqualify the revival cast recording with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster for a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre album?


Jo

[jo]

Another potential showstopper for Hugh...this time with Shuler Hensley --

[mamaleh]

I always wonder whether Amaryllis (the little girl watching the two cavort in the stable) appreciates the "Scarlet Letter" reference in that jaunty song, LOL.

Ellen

[jo]

Isn't Amaryllis the little girl learning to play the piano?


Some people dismiss the show as simply an old-fashioned musical with 1 or 2 or 3 memorable songs.

They never appreciate that the story is filled with rich characters of different hues, including the kids/young people.

It's a very good representation of each type of character that a small town-setting may personify.


Jo

[jo]

On related news, per Michael Riedel --

nypost.com/2020/02/27/beetlejuice-on-broadway-loses-its-lydia/

“Beetlejuice” is scheduled to close at the Winter Garden in June after falling below its stop clause, allowing the Shuberts to give the theater to “The Music Man,” starring Hugh Jackman. But “Beetlejuice” has since caught on, its weekly grosses climbing to over $1 million. So the Shuberts have found it another home: the Ethel Barrymore, soon to be vacant after the collapse of “The Inheritance.”

“Beetlejuice” producers are madly crunching numbers to see if they can make the move work. They were planning on scaling the production back for the national tour, so they may well put a slimmed-down “Beetlejuice” in the Barrymore this summer, then decide if it stays on Broadway or hits the road. Stay tuned.

[jo]

Posted on BWW. IIRC, it is the same person who first posted way back then that BJuice had been served the stop-clause notice, to pave the way for TMM.

phan24
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Beetlejuice to the Barrymore?
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Posted: 2/28/20 at 4:41pm
The move is definitely happening and Beetlejuice producers have officially accepted the Barrymore (per insider friends), but still TBD on timing.

[jo]

Further auditions are being held on March 2, 2020...although many principal and other support roles have already been cast.

It looks like they are forming a barbershop quartette from the cast itself, who will do double duty in other roles.


www.playbill.com/job/the-music-man-broadway-nyc-epa-030220/00000170-4488-d223-abf7-ccfc9dcf0000?fbclid=IwAR1vPICqxxOT5rmKgE5_-sza0D9GP2WyIsj4Hvy4B0i2MT9LwMefxBk41qA

The Music Man (Broadway) NYC EPA (03.02.20) / Updated 02.24.20
CATEGORY: Performer
Producing Org TBD
New York, NY

Job Details

DESCRIPTION
Call Type: EPA

CONTRACT
Production (League)
$2168/week current min.

PERSONNEL
Book, Music, and Lyrics: Meredith Willson
Based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey
Producer: Scott Rudin
Director: Jerry Zaks
Choreographer: Warren Carlyle
Musical Director: Patrick Vaccariello
General Manager: Wagner Johnson Productions
Casting: Telsey + Company

Expected in attendance: Rebecca Scholl/Ally Kiley

OTHER DATES
Rehearsals: July 2020
Previews: September 9, 2020
Opening Night: October 22, 2020

OTHER
EPA Procedures are in effect for this audition.

An Equity Monitor will be provided.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

SEEKING
Equity actor/singers for various roles in the upcoming Broadway production. Some roles have been precast.

Stage Management Positions have been filled.

BREAKDOWN / Updated 02.24.20

SEEKING:

[ALMA HIX] Female, 25—45, any ethnicity. A comical "Pickalittle” lady married to Oliver Hix. Strong singer. PRINCIPAL -- AN OFFER IS OUT FOR THIS ROLE

[ZANEETA SHINN] Female, 15-18, any ethnicity. The Mayor’s teenage daughter, harboring a crush on Tommy Djilas. Funny, pretty, appealing, and charismatic. Top-tier dancer with strong technique. PRINCIPAL

[WINTHROP PAROO] Male, 8—12, any ethnicity. Marian’s baby brother, shy and isolated due to his pronounced lisp. Quiet and lonely but warm, loving, and truly appealing. Strong singer. PRINCIPAL

[AMARYLLIS] Female, 8—12, any ethnicity. A dreamer and a romantic. A piano student of Marian’s, with a schoolgirl crush on Winthrop. Awkward and charming. Must have a clear, simple soprano. PRINCIPAL



THE FOLLOWING ROLES HAVE BEEN CAST:

[HAROLD HILL] Male, 30s—40s, any ethnicity. A dynamic and attractive leading man, with energy and charisma to burn. A compelling conman, posing as a traveling salesman, who uses his great warmth and personality to put one over on the folks of River City. Bold, confident, and a resolute bachelor until he meets his match in the town librarian. Seeking a skilled and dynamic actor with great depth and personal appeal. Must move and sing well. PRINCIPAL

[MARIAN PAROO] Female, 20s—30s, any ethnicity. A dynamic and appealing leading lady, with great depth and vulnerability. River City’s guarded and resolute town librarian and music teacher. Artistic, deeply intelligent, and strong-willed, she possesses a hidden warmth, vulnerability, and sizable romantic streak just below the surface. Seeking an actor of great skill, with a warm and dynamic soprano voice. Must move well. PRINCIPAL

[MARCELLUS WASHBURN] Male, 30s—40s, any ethnicity. Comedic character man, with loads of energy and appeal. Former friend and conman/colleague of Harold’s who has settled in River City. Immensely affable and well-intentioned, he gets caught up in the scam when Harold enlists his help.
Very strong comedic actor who sings and moves well. PRINCIPAL

[MRS. PAROO] Female, 40s—50s, any ethnicity. Warm and funny character actress with Irish dialect. The warm-hearted, straight-talking, widowed mother of Marian and Winthrop. Fiercely loyal to her children, she is a good listener with a strong sense of humor and self. Character singer. PRINCIPAL

[MAYOR GEORGE SHINN] Male, 50s, any ethnicity. Comedic character man, with stature and personality. River City’s bombastic and somewhat hapless Mayor. Full of self-importance and bluster, he is easily distracted as he frequently clashes with newcomer Harold Hill as well as the young man pursuing his daughter. Character singer. PRINCIPAL

[EULALIE MACKECKNIE SHINN] Female, 40s—50s, any ethnicity. Comedic character actress with great comic chops and appeal. Mayor Shinn's wife and River City’s First Lady. Snobby, status- oriented busybody who conversely possesses an eccentric, artistic side. Travels with a pack of sycophantic gossips. Character singer. PRINCIPAL

[TOMMY DJILAS] Male, 15—20, any ethnicity. Attractive, appealing young actor with exceptional dance skills. The irresistible and misunderstood town “bad boy” who is secretly dating Zaneeta Shinn, the Mayor’s daughter. Top-tier dancer with strong technique. Must sing well. PRINCIPAL

[OLIN BRITT] Male, 25—45, any ethnicity. Editor of the Gazette, member of the School Board, and member of the barbershop quartet formed by Harold. Strong bass. Must be comfortable with tight harmonies.

[OLIVER HIX] Male, 25—45, any ethnicity. Banker, member of the School Board, and member of the barbershop quartet formed by Harold. Married to Alma Hix. Strong baritone. Must be comfortable with tight harmonies. PRINCIPAL

[EWART DUNLOP] Male, 30s—40s, any ethnicity. Owner of the General Store, member of the School Board, and member of the barbershop quartet formed by Harold. Married to Maude Dunlop. Strong tenor 2. Must be comfortable with tight harmonies. PRINCIPAL

[JACEY SQUIRES] Male, 25—45, any ethnicity. Owner of the livery stable, member of the School Board, and member of the barbershop quartet formed by Harold. Married to Mrs. Squires. Strong tenor 1. Must be comfortable with tight harmonies. PRINCIPAL

[MAUD DUNLOP] Female, 25—45, any ethnicity. A comical "Pickalittle” lady married to Ewart Dunlop. Strong singer. PRINCIPAL

[ETHEL TOFFELMIER] Female, 25—40, any ethnicity. A comical "Pickalittle” lady and Marcellus Washburn's girlfriend. Strong singer. PRINCIPAL

[MRS. SQUIRES] Female, 25—45, any ethnicity. A comical "Pickalittle” lady married to Jacey Squires. Strong singer. PRINCIPAL

[CHARLIE COWELL] Male, 30s-40s, any ethnicity. A verbose, cocksure anvil salesman, hell-bent on exposing Harold Hill as a fraud. Character singer. PRINCIPAL

Union
EPA
Audition Information

Where
Pearl Studios NYC (500)
500 8th Ave
New York, NY 10018-6504

12th floor. Check lobby upon arrival for any changes.

WHEN
Monday, March 2, 2020
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Lunch 1:30 to 2:30
WHAT TO PREPARE
Please prepare a brief traditional musical theatre song showing range. Bring sheet music; a piano accompanist will be provided. Bring a photo/resume stapled together.
Minors must be accompanied by an adult

[njr]

I guess they decided to forego the “30s - 40s” for Harold Hill when Hugh was available! 😂

[jo]

Some fans are already asking about show merchandise and its availability.

This is an interesting article from Playbill.com on how the process of merchandise planning and sales take place, including financial arrangements with the production.


www.playbill.com/article/ask-playbillcom-merchandise-com-150568

[mamaleh]

Mar 1, 2020 12:37:49 GMT -5 njr said:

I guess they decided to forego the “30s - 40s” for Harold Hill when Hugh was available! 😂

Close-ups in movies are one thing. But Broadway stars' ages are often overlooked since there's a usually a physical gulf between stage and the audience that downplays the need for age authenticity. For instance, high school students in the MEAN GIRLS musical are closing in on 30. And in the original Broadway production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 19-year-old Maria was played by 46-year-old Mary Martin! Of course, ignoring age is easy when you've got HJ on tap for your show!

Ellen

[njr]

Mar 8, 2020 1:43:21 GMT -5 mamaleh said:

Mar 1, 2020 12:37:49 GMT -5 njr said:

I guess they decided to forego the “30s - 40s” for Harold Hill when Hugh was available! 😂

Close-ups in movies are one thing. But Broadway stars' ages are often overlooked since there's a usually a physical gulf between stage and the audience that downplays the need for age authenticity. For instance, high school students in the MEAN GIRLS musical are closing in on 30. And in the original Broadway production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 19-year-old Maria was played by 46-year-old Mary Martin! Of course, ignoring age is easy when you've got HJ on tap for you show!

Ellen

I know - I was just kidding. 😉

Nancy

[mamaleh]

Oh, I know. I was just marveling at how Mary Martin got away with that back in 1959. I’m sure her being such a beloved star factored into her casting and acceptance as well.

Ellen

[carouselkathy]

I met Mary Martin once. I'm guessing she was in her 70's. She had a very youthful-like sparkle and charm. I remember thinking that she was still "Peter Pan".

[jo]

At the Montblanc event Hugh shared a bit of news with People.com re how the show is progressing, while still many months from previews.


people.com/movies/hugh-jackman-says-he-and-wife-deborra-lee-reset-their-25-year-marriage-all-the-time/?fbclid=IwAR0NzVvULpe8ZVqyWeaWOjHPxBGI094oIqX2wBzr27kXxI5hpjY7mSepG0M

Excerpt --

While at the event, Jackman also talked to PEOPLE about his recent The Man. The Music. The Show. tour which ended in Oct 2019.

“It was a dream year,” the Australian actor says reflecting on the journey. “I still pinch myself, I had so much fun.”
“Those audiences were incredible, they exceeded every expectation I’ve ever had,” he continues, adding that he would “100 percent” do it all again.

But for now, any Jackman fans hoping to get a glimpse of the actor on stage will have to wait until later this year when he and fellow actress Sutton Foster take on Broadway in the upcoming revival of The Music Man.

Describing that he is currently in “early rehearsals,” Jackman says, “Sutton Foster and myself have just been in a room for the last two or three weeks just sort of learning the dance and singing and reading the script and getting started on it.”

The Music Man will begin performances on Sept. 9 and officially open on Oct. 15.

Gathered from what he shared - it looks like there will be greater emphasis on dance between the leads, compared to the original stage production and film adaptation. Given the dance prowess of Sutton and Hugh - this is not so surprising … and almost expected.

I also wonder if there will be some revisions to the staging of the songs? And even consider new songs lifted from the original score that was dropped for the Broadway and Hollywood original productions?


Jo

[jo]

IcoNICK
liked your reply

Thanks for the updates, esp on the progress of TheMusicMan. Reassuring news given the increasingly bleak Broadway outlook ( due to the health threat) these days! Hope that show will help reinvigorate the GreatWhiteWay when it opens for previews!

He probably does not realize how welcome such kind of news was, especially to those who are very downhearted about what may likely happen to Broadway now. A thread on BWW gathered over 6 pages of replies in less than one day because it was all about " Broadway to Close?"

Jo

[jo]

This was originally posted on the Fan Page --

maybe it should be part of the discussions on this thread --

Mar 15, 2020 0:26:14 GMT -5 jo said:

Here's the official source --

newyork.cbslocal.com/video/4479078-coronavirus-update-nyc-health-inspector-says-outbreak-could-last-through-september/

If this is the case...and the producers and creative team of TMM are already aware of it --

presumably they would already be planning for the eventuality of a possible delay in the start of previews and/or Opening Night.

Let's hope for the best! The previews are practically sold out - it would be such a blow especially for those coming from other than the tri-state and those from overseas!


Jo

[njr]

Mar 15, 2020 0:33:00 GMT -5 jo said:

This was originally posted on the Fan Page --

maybe it should be part of the discussions on this thread --

Mar 15, 2020 0:26:14 GMT -5 jo said:

Here's the official source --

newyork.cbslocal.com/video/4479078-coronavirus-update-nyc-health-inspector-says-outbreak-could-last-through-september/

If this is the case...and the producers and creative team of TMM are already aware of it --

presumably they would already be planning for the eventuality of a possible delay in the start of previews and/or Opening Night.

Let's hope for the best! The previews are practically sold out - it would be such a blow especially for those coming from other than the tri-state and those from overseas!


Jo

Crap! I have plans in late Aug/early Sept. to travel to Liverpool and London!

[jo]

Mar 15, 2020 21:22:19 GMT -5 jo said:

The US CDC has recommended the extension of mass gathering prohibition by another 4 weeks. Expect Broadway to be close till mid-May.

Some say it is only recommendatory...but people expect it to become reality.

People also worry not just about the withdrawal of entertainment choices... but also the likely prospect of long-term unemployment for those involved in the trade. It is also hard to determine which shows will have resources enough to re-open or to open for the first time when the bright lights return to Broadway.


www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html


Discussions on the BWW and ATC boards --


www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1121822


www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2482411

In the discussions on BWW, there is also mention about some expectation that the crisis may last well into September... although right now, the discussions are focused more on the forthcoming ( if legally implemented via authority sanction) 8 week closure of mass entertainment events.

Jo

[jo]

It looks like the outlook is solidifying that the virus threat may last into summer --

President Donald Trump told reporters that the coronavirus crisis may not be brought under control until July or August or even later.

“They think August, July — it could be longer than that,” Trump said.

Will rehearsals start for The Music Man, as originally planned, from July to August?

Jo

[jo]

Sutton celebrates her birthday on March 18!

Happy Birthday, future Ms Marian


www.playbill.com/article/from-eponine-to-charity-celebrating-sutton-foster-on-the-musical-stage

[jo]

Early publicity!

The Boy from Oz has officially grown up into The Music Man.

Hugh Jackman is no stranger to the Broadway scene and he is set to make his triumphant return to the stage later this year when he and fellow Broadway vet, Sutton Foster, team up for the 2020 revival of The Music Man.
The triple threat star — who is just an Oscar award short from EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) — first began his theater journey in his native Australia with roles in productions such as Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard before he was cast in his breakout role as Wolverine in 2000’s X-Men.



Jackman, 51, is now excited about returning to a role that he is all too familiar with.

“This was the first [musical] I ever did,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively of The Music Man. “I was in drama school and I did it.”


Though he played Salesman #2 then as opposed to the lead role of con man Harold Hill, the Les Misérables star is thrilled for this new adventure — which is one that he knew he wanted to tackle after doing his 2017 hit film, The Greatest Showman.

“For 10 years people had been saying to me ‘Well which [play] would you like to revive’ … and I think after Greatest Showman I just went, ‘The Music Man.’”



Though Broadway is currently closed till mid-April due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, Jackman is currently only in the beginning stages of rehearsals.

“We’re sort of doing early rehearsals, we don’t really start rehearsals probably till July,” he shares.
“Sutton Foster and myself have just been in a room for the last two or three weeks just sort of learning the singing and reading the script and getting started on it so I’m excited about that.”



Jackman made it big in the theater world when he starred as singer-songwriter Peter Allen in the 2003 Broadway adaptation of The Boy from Oz.

The critically acclaimed role earned him a Tony award and showcased his sheer star power and talent beyond the screen.
His theatrical stint marked the first of many times that the X-Men actor would return to the glowing lights of Broadway, later starring in other productions such as A Steady Rain and The River.

The Music Man will begin performances on Sept. 9 and officially open on Oct. 15.

By Nicholas Rice
@nicholasarice

[jo]

The issue on whether The Music Man will be able to open on Broadway is of interest --

One response --

there's truly no way to know what will happen or how or when...
Posted by: Chazwaza 11:16 pm EDT 03/19/20
In reply to: re: Riedel: Broadway isn’t going to quickly bounce back - Roman 11:09 pm EDT 03/19/20

Until it is clear when this will be over. Speculating is usually fun, but this issue makes is sad to me. But either way it is useless because there's no way to know. Music Man will likely reschedule, because it's a surefire hit whenever broadway is back, assuming Hugh is available/willing. Caroline or Change might too because it's a non-profit. But who knows! THis is all unknown and unprecedented.

If that happens, i.e., reschedule the show opening ( assuming it will be for spring 2021) -- hopefully Hugh will be able to, at least, fulfill his original commitment of a run that was supposed to end in Sept 2021. A six-month run, say from April to September, is good enough and runs through TONY nomination-and-awards season!

Of course, if the USA can arrest the steep curve ( aka flattening the curve) of the rise in COVID-19, as they seemed to have accomplished in China and South Korea, maybe there is more room for some level of optimism...and that The Music Man can still open in the fall, albeit likely delayed ( not too sure if rehearsals can take place in July-August)?

Jo