This fall, Virden Theatre Productions is tackling a well-known classic, The Music Man, and the company is thoroughly enjoying the masterpiece it is, having produced three modern musicals in the past few years, Mamma Mia, Elf, and Matilda the Musical.
The extraordinary cast ranges in age from 10 – 72 and hails from Virden, Minnedosa, Brandon, Souris, Oak Lake, Russell, Pierson, Oak Lake, Elkhorn, Lenore, Kola, and Maryfield, Saskatchewan. The size of the cast is the second largest in the company’s history - second only to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2015.
This cast’s talent is deep top to bottom. Homegrown song and dance man Brady Chyzyk, steps into the lead role as the charismatic Harold Hill. In a first for VTP, Brady’s real-life songbird wife Taylor plays opposite him as the town’s music teacher, Marian Paroo.
Brandon’s Josh Hildebrandt, another homegrown talent, is perfect as Harold’s sidekick Marcellus. Joey Simms, who previously dazzled as Buddy the Elf and Rudolpho the dance instructor, plays Harold’s nemesis, Charlie Cowell. Veteran actor, Elkhorn’s Bernice Kliever, plays Mrs. Paroo perfectly, and we are excited to introduce two promising young talents in the role of Winthrop, Lenore’s Corbyn Waller and Brandon’s Xavier McGorman–Winthrop.
Other principal cast includes Oak Lake’s Mike Thiessen and Wendy Bancescu as bumbling Mayor Shinn and his flamboyant wife Eulalie. Nyah Perkin from Souris and Elkhorn’s Stella Canart are their charming daughters Zaneeta and Gracie. Tommy Djilas is played by talented Virden teen Evan Terin, and young, local pianist Emery Strachan is Amaryllis.
Producer/director Michelle Chyzyk excitedly shares that the famous barbershop quartet in this musical will be a highlight for audiences. “You can’t go wrong with four extraordinary actors and choral musicians in these roles – tenor Darrell Corbel, a long-time passionate barbershopper, tenor Marlin Peters, baritone Todd Plaisier, and well-known Minnedosa bass, Jim Comrie. The entertaining quartet in this show was definitely one of the reasons we chose The Music Man.”
Director Dean Munchinsky has spent countless hours designing the innovative set – a challenge in this massive project. He has also been sharing his expertise and brilliance as a trained, working actor, helping performers find tremendous depth in their characters - something not always seen in community theatre.
Tackling this classic show means that the actors, and also the audiences, will have many memories of past experiences with this magical title. In fact, director Michelle Chyzyk’s first foray into musical theatre was playing the role of Amaryllis back when she was in Grade 7 at Carman Collegiate, and leading man Brady was once young Winthrop in Mecca Productions’ Music Man back in 2006. Many performers from Virden Collegiate’s Music Man in 1988 also are part of this large cast. It is exciting to think of all the new audiences that will fall in love with “76 Trombones” and the oh so memorable Pick-a-Little Ladies!
What to expect from this show? There will be vibrant costuming (original creations and many from our local treasure, the Costume Closet), outstanding vocals, charming children, lots of laughs, and impressive large-scale dance numbers choreographed by Winnipeg professional Brenda Gorlick. All this with the support of a large professional orchestra. The show is wonderful for ages four and up.
Shows are Nov. 1 - 5 and tickets are available on Eventbrite. All reserved seats are $25.
