Tickets to THE MUSIC MAN at Hershey Area Playhouse Now On Sale

The Wells Fargo train is coming to Hershey Area Playhouse in July with a 50-member cast in The Music Man. The show runs July 18-21 and 25-28, 2013 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

"Meredith Willson's The Music Man is described as "a valentine" to small-town America at the turn of the Century," said co-director Tracey Ford. "Our production strives to present Willson's valentine while also giving audiences a glimpse into the real lives of the people who lived in towns like our fictional River City," she added.

The story focuses on Harold Hill, played by Darren Riddle, the boys band con man who makes his way into the hearts of the River City, Iowa community and its librarian, Marian, portrayed by Dara Rees. Other principal parts include Travis Allen Zimmerman as Marcellus, Jeff Cartwright as the mayor and Marjorie Bicknell as his wife, Colleen Mullikin as Mrs. Paroo, Erza Smith as Winthrop and Gabi Hemsch as Amaryllis. Other featured performers include Jesse Small as Tommy and Leila McCrumb as Zaneeta Shin, the mayor's daughter.

Other cast members include: Kat Allison, Acadia Banis, Amy Jo Brixius, Grace Browning, Caitlyn Chute, Lydia DeKok, Karli Dunn, Erika Flanick, Haley Gilbert, Phil Jurus, Mikayla Kitchen, Danielle Klinger, Kathleen Latta, Tyler Law, Avery LeVan, Kaylor Long, John Mallonee, John Messmer, Nick Morgantini, PJ Paterno, Hannah Paymer, Amiekay Peach, Brian Phillips, Tony Pingitore, Erica Rowland, Valerie Schrader, Fletcher Smith, Jonathan Speer, Sandy Speer, Ken Straub, Colby Thompson and Isabella Wells.

The show includes favorite songs "76 Trombones" and "''Til There Was You" and "My White Knight." The show is directed by Tracey Ford and Eric Mansilla and produced by Matt Ford. Music Director is Todd Boden and the choreographer is Kelly Strange.

Tickets are $23 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under and may be reserved at www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com or by calling the box office at 717-533-8525.

Photo by Michael Feldser