'Music Man' leads the big parade into 50th PCPH season, beginning Thursday
The 50th season of the Putnam County Playhouse (PCPH) opened Thursday, June 2 with Meredith Willson's "The Music Man."
It is being produced June 2-4 and June 8-11 at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre in Greencastle.
All performances begin at 8 p.m. The play is sold out, however, persons may check daily with the the box office at 653-5880 to see if any tickets have been returned. The box office is open 5-7 p.m. daily. Tickets are $10 each.
The PCPH musical is being directed by Shelly McFadden, who directed last season's comedy "Never Too Late."
The show is being sponsored in part by the Duke Energy Foundation and First National Bank.
Playing the leading roles are Ric McFadden as Harold Hill, who arrives in River City, Iowa, to raise money for a boys' band, and Caroline Good as Marian Paroo, the local piano teacher who sees through his scheme.
Performers in featured roles include Eleanor Howard as Marian's mother; Donovan Asbell as Winthrop, her brother; Scott Armitage as Marcellus Washburn; and Annie Weltz as Ethel Toffelmeier.
The cast also includes Jack Randall Earles and Shelly McFadden as Mayor Shinn and his wife; Alixandra Green and Arianna Pershing as their daughters; and Kenny Buchanan as Tommy Djilas. The local school board, a singing quartet, is composed of Alex Asbell, Dustin Bond, Troy Pierce and Jim Rambo.
Others playing roles are Jim Green, Susanna Howard, Mira Hoffman, Kyla Scheuermann, Kayla Myer, Don Wilson, Clarence Long and Deb Gannaway.
The ensemble includes Amelia Beck, Sidney Cassida, Kaila Thurston, Fiona White, Carly Rhine, Elise Merrell, Seth Miller, Joe Lippard, Alex Briones, Ethan Gill, Sarah Bond, Josie Wood, Kay Wood, Kristen Hutcheson, Owen Boatright, Bailey Hornsby, Alice Howard and Matthew Myer.
Also in the cast are Gayle Baugh, Mia Muckey, Fiona Good, Marin Nally, Kensie Bumgarnder, Mary Katherine Asbell, Lindsey Bridgewater, Seelye Stoffregan, Alice Howard and Shelby Paxton.
Music director and pianist is Marilyn Burdsall. Others in the pit are Michael McClaine, Drew Brattain, Marcia Boswell and Luke Smedley. Vocal direction is by Kathryn Dory.
Assistant director is TJ Tincher. Choreographer is Lori Briones. Linda Gjesvold is the scene designer, and Matt McClaine is the technical director for the musical.
Costume design is by Pat Armitage and Sarah Bond, who along with Heather Hastings, also constructed the costumes. Melissa Green is running the lights.
Production stage manager is Jessica Masner. The stage crew includes Josh Masner, Heather Muttart, Cy Spencer and Sarah Dory. Special scenic painting was done by Sarah McClaine and Carrie Howe.