BWW Reviews: THE MUSIC MAN Makes Magic

Going to see THE MUSIC MAN at Virginia Samford Theatre was exactly what I expected. A beautiful, well-constructed set, colorful costumes, a huge cast with lots of youngsters in the chorus and fun singing and dancing.

Starring Kyle Holman, Kristi Tingle-Higginbotham and Suzanne Mann, VST regulars, this near perfect production was a fun night of family friendly, old time theatre.

During the day I saw a friend who asked me what I was reviewing lately and I told her I was headed to see THE MUSIC MAN that night. She asked if she could join me. Turns out that while she did not grow up seeing plays, she did listen to a few soundtracks over and over, especially THE MUSIC MAN. Watching her actually see the familiar music come to life for the first time was a joy.

Seated behind me were two young men. I couldn't help but overhear their conversations. They were freshman theatre students and while they talked as if they were theatre experts, it was soon obvious that THE MUSIC MAN was unfamiliar to them. Hearing their comments during intermission, I heard their excitement at this "new" discovery.

Sometimes those of us who have been fortunate to go to the theatre since childhood and have years of experience in this world forget that the majority of people weren't so lucky. Where I have seen THE MUSIC MAN everywhere from Broadway to small dinner theatres in the Midwest and even smaller community theatres here in Birmingham over the years, for many, especially the young people in the audience, this is a new experience.

And it is a good experience. Looking at the show through the eyes of someone who has never seen it before, I saw the fun, excitement and spectacle of a standard, classic musical. It is well done and the talent would be hard to match anywhere. Although it isn't staged very differently from the other productions I've seen, you really don't want it to be. Sometimes you want to know what you are getting and you don't want anyone to mess with your memories.

The choreography was handled by Carl Dean and the direction by Jack Mann, both seasoned veterans who filled the stage with talented young singers and dancers in beautiful period costumes.

Although some of the lead actors' ages are a little suspect for these characters, overall the "magic of the theatre" makes you forget to think about those little details. Before too long even a jaded theatre goer like myself is lost in the music, romance and beauty of a different era.

Where I was a little tired of seeing the same old thing before I got there, I walked out happy and humming the familiar tunes. I am glad that a new group of theatre goers is getting the opportunity to see this classic. And I am glad us hardened patrons can be reminded of what made us love theatre to begin with.

I hope you will take the time to share THE MUSIC MAN with the young people in your life. I also hope you will take the time to see it for yourself. It will make you smile.

Contact Virginia Samford Theatre at 205-251-1206 or virginiasamfordtheatre.org for ticket information. THE MUSIC MAN runs through July 5.

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