NEWS RELEASE
November 10, 2016
For immediate release
Media contact: Cara Scarola Hansen, Marketing Director
561-345-3103
PHOTO ID:
0966: Fourth-grader Isabelle Herlong (Amarylis) plays the piano on the front port of Marian Paroo’s house.
1361: Con-man professor Harold Hill (Marcello Fiorentino, 4th grade) confers with Marcellus Washburn (Angelina Townsend, 4th grade) on how to convince the townspeople that they need a kids band.
1389: Professor Harold Hill (Marcello Fiorentino, 4th grade) tries to use his charm to win over Marian Paroo (Georgina Keogh, 4th grade), the town librarian.
4585: (L-R) Fourth-graders Emma Chopin (Mrs. Paroo), Isabelle Herlong (Amarylis) and Georgina Keogh (Marian Paroo) sing “Goodnight, My Someone.”
The Wells Fargo Wagon Came to Town in Rosarian AcademyÕs Production of The Music Man Kids
Rosarian Academy danced the Shipoopi and reveled in the excitement of the Wells Fargo Wagon coming to town with the Lower SchoolÕs performance of Meredith WillsonÕs The Music Man KIDS on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5. 29 first-through-fourth-grade students performed in front of a nearly packed-house in the schoolÕs 485-person professional theatre for both performances.
Meredith WillsonÕs The Music Man KIDS tells the story of a charismatic con man Harold Hill (Marcello Fiorentino, 4th Grade), who galvanizes a stodgy, entertainment-starved Iowa town at the turn of the 20th century. Intending to fleece River CityÕs citizens with a false scheme to organize a kidsÕ band, Hill’s plans hit a sour note when he falls for Marian (Georgina Keogh, 4th Grade), the town librarian.
With a book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, Meredith WillsonÕs The Music Man KIDS is based on Meredith WillsonÕs The Music Man, which won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Author, Composer and Lyricist. Inspired by a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey, the musical was made into a 1962 film starring Robert Preston as Harold Hill and Shirley Jones as Marian Paroo. The film has since been selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
The musical was directed by Robert Sherman, with choreography by Jeanne Bennet and musical direction by Gay Dedo. The set was professionally designed and constructed by Dean Landhuis with the help of Rosarian AcademyÕs Technical Theatre Class.
Led by Mr. Sherman, Rosarian started lower school productions seven years ago with ItÕs Showtime, followed by ItÕs Showtime 2, Willy Wonka, Cinderella, Aladdin, The Lion King and this yearÕs The Music Man KIDS. All shows are shortened versions of the Broadway productions. The music is adapted for younger voices, yet, is still challenging.
