Local News

Warren presenting ‘The Music Man’

VINCENT -- Warren High School will present "The Music Man" in three shows May 5-7.

"The Music Man" by Meredith Willson is the story of a travelling con man, Harold Hill, who dupes the residents of River City into buying musical instruments on the guise that he's a band leader, but plans to run away as soon as he gets the money. In the meantime, Hill develops feelings for Librarian Marian Paroo and begins to have misgivings about fleecing the unsuspecting townsfolk.

The directors of the production are excited and appreciative of their participation.

"The best part about putting on this show is working with my colleagues from the band, drama, and English departments as well as students from all these departments," Director James Sundquist said. "We work together very well to create something better than what one group could have done alone."

It is satisfying to see how student-centered the production is, Courtney Clark, a director, said.

"The cast, crew and choreographers are all students and most of the orchestra also is students. We're so pleased to be able to run the production this way."

Director Angie Erb-Gentile said it was a joy.

"It's such a joy for me to work on these productions because former students that I worked with are now teachers and colleagues helping direct," Erb-Gentile said. "We have a wide range of ages from the students through all the directors, and it's great seeing us all work so well together."

Also directing is Robby Allen.

"I continue to be so impressed by the level of talent here and of the dedication that these students have put into this show," Allen said.

Marian Paroo and Harold Hill are the two main characters.

Hill is played by Garrett Biddinger, a senior.

"This has been one of the greatest experiences of my high school career,' Biddinger said. "It's been wonderful doing this in our beautiful new auditorium with these great people."

Playing Paroo is Bennett Borman, also a senior.

"It feels like an extension of the relationships I've already built in the music department," Borman said. "Everyone is so encouraging to each other."

Becca Ball, a junior, was cast as the fellow con man Marcellus Washburn.

"It's been a blessing to spend all this time with these wonderful people putting this show together," she said.

The experience has been fun, said Isaac Martin, a senior, who plays Ewart Dunlop, a member of the school board who owns a general store.

"I'd recommend being a part of a show to anyone," Martin said. "You never know what you'll like until you try it."

Haylee Grimm, junior, plays Eulalie Shinn, the snooty wife of Mayor Shinn.

"It's really fun to express yourself and be loud," Grimm said. "I like getting to play someone who is different from me in real life."

The show will run 7 p.m. May 5 and 6 and 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Warren High School, 130 Warrior Drive, Vincent.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://whs.warrenlocal.org/ or at the door. The online cost is $10-$12 and the cost at the door is $12-$15.