THE MUSIC MAN Partners with RI Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society

Join in the parade as Meredith Willson's THE MUSIC MAN marches onto the stage at Bill Hanney's Theatre By The Sea (TBTS). Performances begin Wednesday, June 21 and plays thru Saturday, July 15, 2017. Throughout the run, TBTS is asking audiences to bring in any unwanted musical instruments which will then be donated to Rhode Island Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society's Instruments for Children Scholarship Program. A program that donates the instruments to schools with music programs where a student who may not be able to participate in music without this help.

"What better way is there to celebrate this patriotic time of year than with a slice of Americana and a high-spirited march down Main Street America in The Music Man," said Bill Hanney, NSMT owner and producer. "Under the dynamic direction of Richard Sabellioco, who gave us last season's critically acclaimed production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, this promises to be one of brightest and brassiest productions I have produced to date."

THE MUSIC MAN, with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey, follows salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize - this despite the fact he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. This award-winning, critically acclaimed Broadway classic is an all-American institution, thanks to its quirky characters, charmingly predictable dramatic situations, and one-of-a-kind, nostalgic score of rousing marches, a hilarious gaggle of townswomen, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads which have become popular standards including "My White Knight," "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Goodnight Ladies," and "Til There Was You."

The cast of THE MUSIC MAN will be led by Jason Ostrowski as Harold Hil and Tiffan Borelli as Marian Paroo. Jason Ostrowski has appeared on Broadway, in Stephen Sondheim's Company, as well as in National tours of Les Misérables, Whistle Down the Wind, and Forever Plaid. Tiffan Borelli has been seen in NYC and Touring productions of Two By Two, Flipside: The Patti Paige Story, and The Sound of Music, as well as television appearances on "Law & Order: SVU," Shadow of Doubt," "The Perfect Murder," and "A Crime to Remember."

The ensemble of THE MUSIC MAN will feature LaDelle P. Arnold (Mrs. Squires), Emily Charleton (Maud Dunlop), Patrick Conaway (Winthrop Paroo), Joe Connelly (Ewart Dunlop - June 21 - July 2), Bobbie Celine Doherty (Amaryllis), Stacey Geer (Alma Hix), Tom Gleadow (Mayor Shinn), Chelsea Goen (Zaneeta Shinn), Katharine Mattie Harris (Ethel Toffelmier), Maria Day (Mrs. Paroo), Austin Iovanna (Constable, Conductor, Ensemble), Liam Johnson, Jamie Jones (Jacey Squires), Lorinda Lisitza (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn), Mike Maino (Olin Britt), Bob O'Connell (Oliver Hix), Michael Perrie, Jr. (Marcellus Washburn), Dan Prior (Charlie Cowell), Chad Putka (Ewart Dunlop - July 5 - 15), Isaac Reynolds, Anna Rossi (Gracie Shinn), Rosie Rossi, Taylor Simmons (Tommy Djilas), Kristi Smith, Rodney Souza Jr, Tyler Sparacio, Avery Stump, Jeremy Ward, Sarah Warrick, Janelle Yull, and Alex Zarlengo

THE MUSIC MAN is will be directed and choreographed by Richard Sabellico. The creative team also includes Eddie Guttman (Music Direction), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), Jeff Hendry (Costume Design), Jose Santiago (Lighting Design), Danny Erdberg (Sound Design), Michael Dates (Wig & Hair Design), Kate L. Ferdinandi (Production Stage Manager), Sara Sheets (Assistant Stage Manager) and Adolpho Blaire (Associate Director). THE MUSIC MAN is produced for Theatre By The Sea by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Thom Warren (Associate Producer).

THE MUSIC MAN runs June 21 - July 15. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays. Performance times vary week to week, check the TBTS website for exact dates and show times. Tickets are $46 - $72. Tickets are available to purchase by phone (401) 782-8587, online at theatrebythesea.com, or in person at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879.

Theatre By The Sea continues its popular Friday morning Children's Festival in 2017. Shows include Jack and the Beanstalk (July 7), Li Liu (July 14), Seussical Jr. (July 28), Rapunzel (August 4), and Keith Michael Johnson's Bubbleology (August 11). All shows at 10am & 12 Noon and all tickets are $12.