The Peru Gazette

Keeseville, NY – Artistry Community Theatre is delighted to announce its summer musical production of Meredith Willson’s classic, The Music Man. Performances will be held at AuSable Valley Middle-High School on July 25th at 7pm, July 26th at 7pm, July 27th at 7pm, and July 28th at 5pm. Tickets are $20 and on sale now at https://artistrytheatre.org/the-music-man. 

Meredith Willson’s six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been warming audiences’ hearts since 1957. The Music Man is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation. We follow fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marion, the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall. This critically acclaimed Broadway classic is an all-American institution thanks to is quirky characters, charmingly predictable dramatic situations and one-of-a-kind nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads. The production is brought to life by a dazzling cast featuring local performers of all ages, and an accomplished creative team spearheaded by director Derrick Hopkins and musical director Elisha Harrington. 

Elisha Harrington explains that she took on the role of music director not only because of The Music Man’s natural appeal, but because of her past work with director Derrick Hopkins and his newly founded theatre company. “I have a great amount of respect for ACT and Derrick, and I was thrilled to be asked to participate, and didn’t hesitate to accept this opportunity,” Harrington is a music and chorus teacher at Saranac Middle & High School, making her no stranger to directing a large vocal ensemble. She describes that rehearsals are already creating bonds between cast and crew. They are becoming a well knit community as they will portray on stage in July. Harrington says, “The audience should look forward to a high energy performance from everyone on stage. They should expect to find themselves smiling throughout the theatre going experience,” 

As director of this spectacularly large production, Derrick Hopkins took on a daunting responsibility. But for him, it was no question. “The Music Man has always held a special place in my heart,” Hopkins says. Like many artists involved in this particular production, it is not Hopkins’ first experience with The Music Man. At seventeen, he participated in the Depot Theater’s production and fell in love with musical theatre, but more importantly, theatre people. These memories returned to Hopkins as the show selection process for 2019 moved forward. “How could I not bring this show to the Artistry stage and give a new group of people this same experience? I just had to do it!” The superman director by evenings, who is a 5th grade teacher at Willsboro Central School by day, explains that with a show like The Music Man, the content is family friendly, every tune is memorable, and it is a show that audiences will feel good about seeing. He is very proud of Artistry Community Theatre’s 2019 musical production, “This cast is remarkable. They are talented. They are committed. They are utter perfection! I cannot say enough about them. Simply a dream. My team is making this possible. Audiences are sure to be wowed on all levels. The Music Man will be the single, biggest event of the summer season in the Adirondacks!” 

The Music Man marches onto the AuSable Valley Middle-High School stage July 25-28. Stage direction and choreography by Derrick A. Hopkins with music direction by Elisha Harrington. The cast includes over 30 players, led by Dana McLaughlin (Harold Hill), Antonette McLaughlin (Marion Paroo), and Jason Borrie (Marcellus Washburn). 

For more information contact director, Derrick Hopkins.