Music Man debuts Thursday
For over six years Henryetta and area residents have been treated to ever-increasing productions of musicals and performances by local high school students.
This month will see what is arguably the largest and most complex performance when HHS students hit the stage for “The Music Man.”
“We started with The Music Man,” said HHS theatre head Justin Been. “We thought it was a really big show and difficult musically.”
“We decided to go with it and go big or go home,” choreographer Liz Bealko.
The show’s premise takes place in 1890s Iowa when a traveling salesman talks the local residents into buying instruments and uniforms for a band he says he will organize.
Along the way he changes from a slick-talking butler to a man smitten by love and desire to actually form the band even though he has no musical background.
I don’t know how our kids do it,” he said talking about the performers learning 41 singing and dancing routines that make up the musical. “These kids have put in at least 120 to 170 hours in 30 days to put the show together.”
“This lets so many of our actors step up and show their abilities,” Bealko said. “The kids can leave this program and be so proud of what they have accomplished.”
The stage at the Alice Ghostley auditorium has also undergone a major appearance change.
To have the town of River City, Iowa come to life, sets have been built and spread across the entire stage, wrapping toward the audience.
The students are going to be performing in costumes that have come from the New York stage.
Showtimes are May 16 through 17 at 7:30 p.m. and a special matinee May 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for students and #12 for adults.