The Music Man is an enormous undertaking of fun, filling the Aud Theatre stage starting Nov. 1 and running through to Nov. 5. With just one week until opening night, director/producer Michelle Chyzyk, smiling but earnest, says, “It’s a lot of hard work.”
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the worst of nights with icy snow-covered roads heralding winter, The Music Man cast is at work polishing their parts. Directors Chyzyk and Dean Munchinsky have an eagle eye for detail and the backstage crew are at their posts, scripts in hand.
Actor Taylor Chyzyk characterizes this musical saying, “It’s equal parts comedy and romance and there are so many little details that bring the story to life. A masterpiece!”
Brady Chyzyk, incredibly convincing as con artist Harold Hill, spellbinds the citizens of River City, Iowa into believing that he has the answer to increasing juvenile delinquency. A boys’ band is the solution.
Harold Hill’s role is central. Brady says, “The biggest challenge for me has been the sheer amount of words that Harold Hill has to get out and the speed at which he says and sings them. There are some very tricky tongue twisters. This old, classic production rivals modern day rapping!”
He admits kinship to the character. “Harold Hill is a lot like me in his confidence, approachability, and being quick on his feet—both with words and dance moves. Harold and I both find it easy to make conversation, but I'm not nearly as good a liar as Harold!
“This show has a lot of fond memories for me because I played Winthrop in The Music Man almost 10 years ago, so to have the opportunity to play Harold Hill now is so special.”
Watch for Brady’s favourite scene: “My favorite moments are when I get to bamboozle and distract the barbershop quartet and make a sly exit. It happens quite a few times.”
Taylor, starring opposite Brady as Marian Paroo (Marian the Librarian) - yes, a husband/wife team – is not a flamboyant character but Taylor loves her role. She says: “One of the biggest challenges for me playing Marian has been portraying all of her emotions, thoughts and feelings, seemingly all at once. In any given scene Marian is thinking and feeling multiple emotions and thoughts….”
Michelle Chyzyk is a genius at role casting, and Taylor agrees: “Marian is very much like me in that she thinks (and maybe overthinks) a lot, she feels a lot of emotions in a big way, she processes her thoughts verbally out loud, is a little quirky, is a little socially awkward, loves books, and falls hard for Brady…I mean, Harold Hill…. Marian is me to a T!
“I am in love with the storyline itself in this show and how it all unfolds. My favorite scene is the Sadder But Wiser Girl number/dance between Harold and Marcellus (Josh Hildebrandt)! It’s a treat.”
Hildebrandt says that Music Man’s rapid-fire dialogue, song and dance has been a challenge to accomplish but he is a very slick sidekick to Hill.
He says of the quick-witted Marcellus, “His character has been really fun. It helps that we are best friends in real life, to play best friends on stage.”
The duo “used to run schemes together, Marcellus always being Harold’s support. But when Marcellus enters this stage, Hill is seeing an old friend that he hasn’t seen in years.”
A condensed rehearsal time has been a challenge, but Hildebrandt says, “It’s a welcome challenge because it pushes everyone to do their best. It’s exciting when you see people working that hard and working together. Everyone who’s involved in these shows is extremely talented and has a gift and abilities that they use.
“I started working with Michelle when I was in Grade 4, when I moved to Virden. She has this great ability to see the potential in people and draw that out of them.”
Virden actor Monique Waller plays Maud Dunlop, wife of school board member Ewart Dunlop. In real life, she’s married to Barrett Waller and Corbyn, one of their four kids, has a large role as Winthrop Paroo.
Among many young players, Corbyn, in Gr. 6 at Virden Junior High School, is one of two Winthrop Paroo characters. You will see Xavier McGorman as Winthrop in alternate performances.
Monique says, “He’s really found quite the niche in the music world. He was in the production of Mwana last year, and he’s in the choir and he’s doing voice lessons. And it’s really cool to be able to share that with him…”
Corbyn is keen. He says, he finds Munchinsky to be a supportive coach and adds, “I would like to be an actor, it’s a very nice job. It’s fun to be a performer.”
Dean Munchinsky, set designer and director has also acted in many Virden musicals, but not this time.
“I love acting. It’s why I do any of this,” he says, adding it was time for a change. “I think people have seen enough of me for a bit…. I have thoroughly enjoyed directing these wonderful actors and creating some set pieces that will hopefully enhance this world.”
Directing the cast, helping them to be in the right place at the right time, and expressively living out their parts all require a thorough knowledge of this classic musical by Meredith Willson.
Munchinsky says, “A cast of over sixty people is a challenge in itself. It is a joy and source of satisfaction to see each one become their character and live that on stage.”
On their drive home, Munchinsky thinks the audience will feel, “That was so much fun! Why can’t we see more of this!” He says, “People are going to be surprised to see neighbours and friends who came alive on stage and created a reality outside of this time and space.”
