Interview: Isaiah Johnson Stars in THE MUSIC MAN - IN CONCERT

In a special collaboration, Two Rivers Theater in Red Bank and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJ PAC) in Newark will be presenting Meredith Willson's, The Music Man-In Concert. And, this co- production will feature an all African-American cast. As one of Broadway's most beloved musicals, the show is revived in an exciting new version, directed by Obie Award winner, Robert O'Hara with musical direction by Kenny Seymour and concert adaptation by Evans Haile.

The Music Man will have six performances in Red Bank from Thursday, March 13th to Sunday March 16th and four performances at NJ PAC from Friday, March 21st to Sunday, March 23rd. The show features Isaiah Johnson in the lead role of Harold Hill.

Johnson has appeared on Broadway in Peter and the Starcatcher and The Merchant of Venice. His Off-Broadway and New York credits include Far from Heaven, Richard III, and Othello. Johnson also has numerous television appearances. After joining Actors' Equity Association as a performer in the D.C. Metro area, he went on to earn a BFA from Howard University and an MFA from New York University/Tisch in Acting.

Johnson knew at an early age that he wanted to be an actor. He said, "I grew up in an artistic home with both parents being musicians and singers. My father also acted in a few touring productions as well as being a self-proclaimed interior decorator. There always lots of music, books, and fine art in the home. Like many actors, I was also profoundly inspired by the work of actors in film. My cartoon watching ended very early the moment I saw life recreated in film. I didn't actually commit to acting as a career choice until I was a junior in college. I was considering a career in law in high school. My other great love is education. I hope to open, in under privileged communities, K-12 charter schools called the Freedom School for Learning and Development."

Johnson has been grateful for mentors that have inspired his career. "I have been fortunate enough to have many great angels in my development. Many of them have passed away, but most are still giving, praying, and encouraging me every day. I was introduced to The Music Man in college by one such angel, director and educator Eric Ruffin. He suggested to the department that we do the production and I should play Harold Hill. We never did, but clearly this character has had it out for me and I'm proud to meet the challenge."

Johnson finds a personal relationship to the role of Harold Hill. He commented, "Like Harold, I too have moved through life needing to quickly adapt to the many various environments I've lived in. My parents were both in the military at different points and every time we moved to a new community, new school, new culture, I had an opportunity to reinvent myself and that took confidence, creativity, and a cool head and a keen eye."

Johnson had careful preparation to prepare for his role in The Music Man. "The first order of business for me was to quickly familiarize myself with the music. It's been a long time since I used to sit at the kitchen table with a radio and a cassette and copy down lyrics. That is exactly what I needed to do to keep up with the great Robert Preston and Meredith Wilson. To this day that technique helps me memorize anything faster. The next step was to simply be present in the rehearsal room with this hilarious and stellar cast and creative team. We have informed each so much of what this world was, is, and could be. I think we're finding a great balance of inspiration from what was and our instinctual inclinations."

Because The Music Man has been widely seen by many, audiences will want to know more about what to expect of this unique production. Johnson told us that theatergoers should know that this is not a full production, rather, a concert version. He said, "Just come and enjoy the ride as you always have. The rhythms and melody in this classic is as infectious now as it was then. That is why it is produced so often in theaters and schools across the country.

Johnson has been proud to work with such an accomplished cast and creative team. He commented, "We have such a great time in rehearsal! I have laughed to tears many times this week alone! By the end of next week I think I may pass out of suffocation; for some reason I have trouble laughing and breathing at the same time! Robert O'Hara is an actor's director. He's fearless and speaks with a point of view that actors can immediately digest and activate! I'm looking forward to putting it all together."

Metropolitan area audiences should not miss the opportunity to see this exclusive concert performance of The Music Man.

For tickets to The Music Man-In Concert at Two River Theater in Red Bank, visit their web site at www.tworivertheater.org or call (732) 345-1400.

For tickets to The Music Man-In Concert at NJ PAC, visit their web site at www.njpac.org or call 1 (800) GO-NJPAC.

Photo courtesy of Isaiah Johnson.

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