A Look Behind the Curtain of Goodman Theatre's New Production of THE MUSIC MAN
WDCB’s Gary Zidek visits a rehearsal of Gooman Theatre’s production of THE MUSIC MAN.
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“It is, I think, one of the most well-written American musical comedies ever. I’ve seen it many times, and love it. It has such wonderful music and a wonderful story, it’s really, really well made.” - actor Geoff Packard talking about THE MUSIC MAN.
Director Mary Zimmerman talking to actor Geoff Packard during a recent rehearsal of THE MUSIC MAN.
THE MUSIC MAN is among the most popular stage musicals of all-time.
Meredith Wilson’s musical about a smooth-talking con man who charms a town and falls in love during his latest scam debuted on Broadway in December of 1957. The next year it won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Over the past 62 years, THE MUSIC MAN was been re-mounted and revived by theater companies at every level, all over the world. Goodman Theatre’s much anticipated production just opened and will run through August 18.
Here are some moments from a recent rehearsal:
THE MUSIC MAN cast members rehearsing “76 TROMBONES“
THE MUSIC MAN leads Monica West and Geoff Packard rehearsing “TILL THERE WAS YOU”
Monica West plays Marian Paroo, the small town librarian that falls in love with Harold Hill. West says she was excited to develop the Marian character with the director Mary Zimmerman.
Director Mary Zimmerman talking with Monica West during a recent rehearsal of THE MUSIC MAN.
Tony Award winning director Mary Zimmerman, who grew up in Midwest, says she wanted to emphasize the natural world in this production of THE MUSIC MAN.
Director Mary Zimmerman and choreographer Denis Jones
“It’s a little bit of a burden, do you know what I mean? Everyone’s familiar with it, as opposed to something no ones’ ever seen before, and has no expectation of. And there’s such a famous movie of it, that’s in peoples’ heads. So, you’re a little conscious of that. But other than that, you also feel like there’s a history of it. It gives you confidence, that’s the other side of that. You know it has a chance of being successful.” - Director Mary Zimmerman talking about whether her approach changes when she takes on a popular work like THE MUSIC MAN.
Cast members rehearsing a number from Goodman Theatre’s new production of THE MUSIC MAN
