Music Man in the Black Box Theatre

On May 15, The Harvey Middle School will stage “The Music Man,” one of Broadway’s best-loved musicals.

The hour long show will be performed by approximately 24 students at the school. Director and set designer Victor Whitehurst and musical director Kathy Cushman are coordinating the show, using a musical theater package known as The Broadway Junior Collection® from Music Theater International, a theater licensing company that helps schools adapt musicals specifically for young performers.

The collection contains a how-to guide for producing a Broadway show and also provides a condensed, author-approved version of the classic musical, in addition to an orchestral performance. Ms. Cushman said the components of the original musical are being preserved, yet the arrangements are transposed into keys appropriate for young voices, and that’s what makes the whole process so enjoyable, she said.

The show centers around a fast-talking traveling salesman named Harold Hill, to be played by eighth-grader Jack Mulhern, and his visit to River City, Iowa, where he meets and falls in love with librarian Marian Paroo, to be played by Danielle Schoen, also an eighth-grade student. “There are so many great tunes in this show and the kids are excited about performing them,” said Ms. Cushman. Examples include “Trouble,” “76 Trombones” and “Till There Was You.” The show also features over 24 speaking roles.

Mr. Whitehurst said the production is a challenge, with five major dance routines involving the entire company, several big production numbers, a couple of duets and a barber shop quartet that requires the performers to sing in four-part harmony.
Harvey established the middle school theater program three years ago in an effort to expose younger students to the performing arts, which is a well established part of the curriculum at the Upper School. The “Music Man” will take place in The Harvey School Art Center at 7:00 p.m.