The 2011 season is marching on for the Harbor Lights Theater Company (HLTC) as it comes to the end of its production of The Music Man. The productino is complete with a variety of exceptional local talent plus Patti Mariano who was in the original production of The Music Man on Broadway with Robert Preston at the young of age 11. She will be gracing HLTC with her presence as Mrs. Paroo in this summer's upcoming production.
The Music Man, by Meredith Willson, will close July 17, 2011 on the grounds of the beautiful Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island, just minutes from the Staten Island Ferry.
From the minute preparations began for The Music Man, Tamara Jenkins and Jay Montgomery, artistic directors of the HTLC, began reaching out to local community theater professionals to give them the opportunity to perform in a Broadway classic, directed by Broadway Director Ray Roderick (Associate Director of the 2000 Broadway revival of The Music Man, A Christmas Carol, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and starring in addition to Patty Mariano a cast of Broadway actors, including Tony-nominated Staten Island resident Larry Marshall (veteran of 14 Broadway shows), Rebecca Baxter (Broadway's Jekyll and Hyde, Meet Me In St. Louis, Cinderella at New York City Opera) and Jay Montgomery (Broadway's Falsettos, Heart Strings National Tour), with choreography by Broadway vet and former Bob Fosse Assistant -- and life long Staten Island resident -- Mimi Quillin.
Twenty eight local actors, dancers and children from throughout the borough were selected by director Ray Roderick for this production. Mr. Roderick expressed his amazement at the level of talent he found at HLTC local auditions. "I was very excited to see so many interesting and talented performers of all ages turn out for our Music Man auditions in Staten Island."
"We are bringing our nation's finest to work with our community's best; and Staten Island has a chance to see a first class production at an affordable price in their own backyard," commented Tamara Jenkins and Jay Montgomery.
An affectionate paean to Smalltown, USA of a bygone era, MerEdith Wilson's The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boy's band he vows to organize. He is transformed into a respectable citizen by curtain's fall.
HLTC is pleased to be able to bring this heartwarming story to the New York City area. Oh, and did we mention, we also have a National Baton Twirling Champion performing as well?
JOIN THE PARADE NOW BY PURCHASING YOUR TICKET EARLY! Call the box office at 866-811-4111 or visit our website at www.theharborlightstheatercompany.org . Tickets are 30 dollars, 25 dollars for seniors and students.
