William Peace Theatre to Stage THE MUSIC MAN, 11/12-14
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 15, 2015
William Peace Theatre presents Meredith Willson's 1957 Tony Award-winning musical, THE MUSIC MAN, November 12-15 at Kenan Auditorium on campus in downtown Raleigh.
The citizens of River City, Iowa are stuck in their ways and proud of it. It's going to take a smoothtalking con man, a manufactured problem, and a boys' band for them to learn how to enjoy, anticipate, and imagine all that life has to offer them. Harold Hill's entrance into their small town causes a shake up in the lives of the people of River City, especially the tightlywound town librarian, Marian Paroo. But as Hill tries to keep Marian offbalance, will he be the one who falls hard? Featuring Meredith Willson's iconic score, including "Till There Was You," "Seventy Six Trombones," and "Gary Indiana," THE MUSIC MAN is the pinnacle of the Golden Age American Musical Theatre, yet its message of living today to the fullest still rings true with modern audiences.
Guest Director Bryan Pridgen holds a BA in Acting from Greensboro College. His studies included acting, directing, voice, and movement. From 20132014 Bryan served as CoFounder and Artistic Director of Savannah Stage Company. He has also worked with Barton College, Barter Theater, Barter Players, Young Playwrights' Festival, Arts Council of Wilson and the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights. Directing credits include The Spitfire Grill, Summer Sonnets, The Turn of the Screw, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged.
Music Director Matt Hodge, Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Theatre, is an awardwinning composer and teacher who has worked with Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awardwinners from around the Country. Hodge's work can be heard in international television shows, awardwinning films, and new theatrical works professionally developed in NYC. He has serviced clients in 26 countries spanning five continents, including Harvard University. He holds a a BA and a MAM from Campbellsville University, along with a MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
This production heralds William Peace University's first staging of a golden age musical. The 25 person cast is made up of the school's theatre students and children from the Raleigh community.
William Peace University's theatre department aims to develop confident, marketable, and selfassessing artists who, upon graduation, are prepared to go to graduate school or step directly into the professional arena and exciting world of theatre.
IF YOU GO:
William Peace University presents
THE MUSIC MAN
Location: Kenan Auditorium, Brown McPherson Music Building, 15 E. Peace St., Raleigh, NC
Dates: 12-15 November, 2015
Time: November 12-14 at 7:30 P.M., Nov. 14-15 at 2:00 P.M.
Tickets: $15 Adult, $10 Alumni/Faculty/Senior, $5 Student
Website: http://bit.ly/WPUTMMweb
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