Earl Marriott Secondary’s production of the Broadway classic The Music Man, which opened Wednesday and runs to April 28 inevitably focuses attention on the lead roles.
Much of the charm of Meredith Willson’s tale of the mythical Iowa community of River City in 1912 is in the developing relationship of flim-flam musical instrument salesman Prof. Harold Hill (Brett McCrady) and his opponent (and love interest) Marian Paroo, librarian and piano teacher (Marika Stanger).
But the supporting roles also provide a rich background canvas in the 1957 musical, directed by drama teacher Candace Radcliffe. Among them are the gift parts of droll livery stable man Marcellus (Jake Hildebrand) and the town’s pompous Mayor George Shinn (Ben Button) and his ‘lady wife’ – and River City’s self-proclaimed cultural leader – Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn (Ilze Berger).
Marcellus is an old associate of Hill who has settled in River City and ‘gone legitimate’, Hildebrand said.
“He’s an all-around nice guy,” he added, noting that Marcellus is Hill’s best source of information on the townspeople, but also finds himself torn between his old friend and his loyalties to his community.
“He’d love to help Harold out, but he also doesn’t want to wind up in trouble,” he said.
Hildebrand said he can identify with the conflicted nature of Marcellus. As someone who has had to deal with learning disabilities and mild autism – not readily apparent to an outside observer – he sometimes struggles with speech, he said. But he’s worked hard to master roles in Marriott plays and musical comedies and would like his efforts to serve as an example to other young people who may be discouraged by their own challenges.
“I’ve found that doing theatre – and connecting with new people – is a big part of my life,” he said.
Button said he feels it’s almost inevitable he is playing stuffy Mayor Shinn, who frequently – and fruitlessly – calls for Hill’s credentials throughout the play.
“I tend to get the older, figurehead roles,” he said, noting he played Friar Lawrence in last year’s production of Romeo and Juliet.
But he’s finding a genuine side to Shinn behind the pomposity.
“Mayor Shinn likes his control of the town, but he’s also proud of his town,” he said.
Berger said she is enjoying the gift role of the mayor’s wife, For all her pretentiousness of Eulalie she said she finds “there is so much vulnerability” about the character.
As a keen singer, she’s also enjoying the chance to add mock operatic aspects to the characterization, she said.
“I’m doing it as a high, high soprano,” she said. “I don’t usually get to sing high solos, but it’s fun to play with your range.”
For tickets and information, call 604-542-2181.