Valley High School Bands, Musicians Will Join Arizona Theatre Company's THE MUSIC MAN For A Grand River City Sendoff

Phoenix-area high school marching bands and musicians will bring select performances of Arizona Theatre Company's production of The Music Man to a "climactic" ending when they march down the aisle to close the shows.

Bands from Fountain Hills High School, North Canyon High School and American Leadership Academy in Gilbert will rehearse with the cast and crew of the acclaimed Meredith Willson show, which will be on stage at the Herberger Theater Center, Jan. 5-27, 2019.

In addition, ATC is organizing an all-star band with individual musicians from Buckeye Union High School, Chaparral High School, Corona Del Sol High School, Desert Vista High School, Florence High School, Millennium High School and Tolleson Union High School.

Each 10-to-30-member band will perform Bach's Minuet in Gand The Wells Fargo Wagon pieces and will march through the theater at the end of the shows.

"What better way to partner with the incredibly talented high school musicians in the Tucson community, and to enhance our Arizona Artist Initiative, than to collaborate with them on some of the most recognized songs in musical theater history?" asked ATC Artistic Director David Ivers, who is directing The Music Man. "It's a 'wow' ending."

The appearance schedule for each band is as follows:

• All-Star Band: Saturday, Jan. 5, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 13, 2 and 7 p.m..; Friday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m.
• North Canyon High School: Friday, Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m.
• Fountain Hills High School: Friday, Jan. 18, 7:30 p.m.
• American Leadership Academy, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m.

The Arizona Artist Initiative is a season-long celebration of Arizona artists and creative talent. Arizona artists are designated in each program.

Tickets for The Music Man are on sale at www.arizonatheatre.org or at the Herberger Theater Center Box Office.

The 2018/2019 season is dedicated to Geri Silvi, ATC's long-time Box Office Manager in Phoenix. The season is sponsored by I. Michael and Beth Kasser.

ATC has standardized curtain times in Tucson and Phoenix. Performance times will be: Tuesdays through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and all matinees will be held at 2:00 p.m.

For more information about season-ticket subscription, go to www.arizonatheatre.org or call the box office in Tucson at (520) 622-2823. For information about group sales, please email groups@arizonatheatre.org.

The Music Manwill be followed by Two Trains Running, by August Wilson, directed by Lou Bellamy (Feb. 14-March 3); American Mariachi, by José Cruz González (April 4-21) and Things I Know to be True, by Andrew Bovell, directed by Mark Clements (May 16-June 2).