Behind The Scenes Of ‘The Music Man’

By Shannon Solheim

As the curtain falls for the last time, the audience erupts with thunderous applause. Snippets of conversations about how great the performance was can be heard throughout the auditorium. But how many of these entertainment seekers actually consider all of the work that takes place behind the scenes?

On April 13th, 14th, and 15th, Newtown High School will be performing a production of the beloved musical The Music Man. The play by Meredith Wilson is about a con-man, “Professor” Harold Hill, who convinces the citizens of a small town in Iowa that he can teach their children how to play instruments and perform in a superb marching band. However, before the instruments arrive and he vanishes, Hill unexpectedly falls in love with the town librarian.

Director Ann McNulty Ferraro chose The Music Man for its intricacy. “I have enough talented students this year to handle the demands of The Music Man,” she explained. “The music in this particular show is complex and I wanted to cast young children again. The last time we used children was in The King and I in 1996.”

With the opening night less than two months away, the preparation is in full effect. Ms McNulty Ferraro, Technical Director Tom Swetts, and Producer Cherie Swetts wasted no time recruiting responsible and dedicated high school students to aid in the running of the musical. The student-run crews include stage management, set construction, props, make-up, lights, sound, house, advertising, painting, and costumes.

Every Tuesday following the close to high school, the crew heads meet with Ms McNulty Ferraro and Mr and Mrs Swetts to discuss any problems, concerns, or even praises they have regarding the development of their prearranged tasks. This way everything can be worked out and taken care of before it has the chance to get out of hand.

“The weekly crew meetings have been a wonderful addition to production planning,” explained Mrs Swetts. “If the crews can build a trust with a strong foundation in the beginning, then communicating later, when everyone is exhausted, will become easier.” At the conclusion of each crew meeting the crew head then takes any changes or tasks back to the other members.

With a large cast of both night school students and young children ranging in age from six to thirteen, every crew member’s job is important and vital.

“Working with close to one hundred people requires an immense amount of time management and organization,” said John Kirrane, stage manager and senior at NHS. “This is key to running a well made show.”

Not only do the crews need to function like a well-oiled machine, but every cast member must exhibit the same enthusiasm and dedication as well.

This year is the first in which a musical will be choreographed entirely by a student. Erin Zaruba, the choreographer for The Music Man and a junior at NHS, is very optimistic about the progress of the dancers to this point. “When we started out I was nervous that it would be hard to teach people who are my age, but it’s working out really well,” she said. “All of the dancers cooperate so the rehearsals run really smoothly.”

Along with the dancers, there are weekly rehearsals for all parts in the play. The barbershop quartet, all speaking and singing parts, the children, and so on need to not only learn their parts, but to get a feel for the stage and the people they’ll be performing with.

Some cast members need only practice to perfect their skills but others reap the benefits of an experienced mentor. Leigh Ellen Lively, the parent of a cast member, is graciously spending her time working with the children and the barbershop quartet as a pianist and vocal coach.

Actors and actresses are also learning, or reviewing, how to work with body microphones. Mr Swetts said, “The performers seem to treat the use of microphones as an afterthought. However, no matter how good he or she is makes no difference if the audience can’t hear them. Most inexperienced actors tend to blame the sound technician when in reality it’s a fifty/fifty partnership.”

With time and practice comes expertise and the crew of The Music Man is putting in full time to both of those areas. Mark your calendars and be prepared to enjoy the show.

(Shannon Solheim is the news editor at the high school’s paper, The Hawkeye, and is the publicity Crew Member for The Music Man)