The men behind MUSIC MAN IN CONCERT

by Gil Benbrook

Meredith Wilson's  classic musical The Music Man comes to the Orpheum Theater in downtown Phoenix for five performances this weekend in a special "concert" presentation. Featuring a 17-piece orchestra, a cast of 20 actors, as well as The North Valley Chorale, this co-production between local Showtune Productions and Theatre League kicks off the Orpheum Theatre’s 2017-18 Broadway Series.

I recently had the chance to ask Showtune Productions Producer and Musical Director JR McAlexander and Artistic Director M. Seth Reines some questions about this concert presentation and Wilson's beloved show.

Seth, for anyone who hasn't seen this musical before, what can you tell them it's about?

"Music Man is the tale of Harold Hill, a con man who arrives in 1912 River City, Iowa, bringing to its citizens hope, tolerance, women’s rights and a new purpose to life."

JR, this production is being billed as “in concert” – how will this production compare to other versions of Music Man?

"The story is told in its entirety with minimal edits to the material. Music Man in Concert boasts a cast of 20 actors, the North Valley Chorale, a full set of scenic drops, period costumes, stage lighting, and exuberant choreography PLUS a 17-piece live orchestra featuring some of the best musicians in the Valley."

Seth, there are a lot of great characters in the show but also some great messages. Why do you think Music Man is still so popular today and what does it have to say to the younger generation or audience members who are experiencing it for the first time?

"Meredith Willson has woven a rich tapestry of colorful characters and story lines in his Music Man. The show has remained popular because it deals with topics that are as current today as they were sixty years ago: social intolerance, empowerment of women and the importance of creating a more open-minded society. The show also captures a more innocent time in American history that disappeared after World War I. And, for audiences caught up in Hamilton craze, Music Man’s score lays the groundwork for rap numbers on Broadway…60 years ago!"

JR, how does this production come about?

"Mark Edelman of Theatre League was intent of finding a musical theatre classic to flesh out his “Broadway at the Orpheum” season of Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, and A Chorus Line.  Not finding what he wanted on the road, he came up with the idea of presenting a show from Broadway’s Golden Age “in concert.”  As both Seth and I had worked with Mark on numerous National Tours, he approached my Arizona based company, Showtune Productions, to see if we were interested in Producing the production.  We jumped at the chance to work with Mark again and showcase some of the best musical and dramatic talent in the Valley."

Seth, while this is part of the “Broadway at the Orpheum” 2017/2018 season of national tours of shows, unlike the other Theater League shows at the Orpheum it features a cast made up mainly of local talent. What can you tell us about the cast and the casting of this show?

"Our Music Man features a terrific cast of 19 local actors with our amazing Harold, DJ Canaday, coming in from New York City.  He has done the role numerous times before, which certainly helps with our short rehearsal period of eight days and three days of dress rehearsals at the Orpheum.  Our Marian is local actress Kaitlynn Kleinman, who did the role with the Phoenix Symphony a few years ago. We held a large local audition for adults early this past summer and a children’s audition in late summer. Those auditions plus several invited calls for specific roles yielded our gifted company! We were thrilled with the turnout and Music Man in Concert showcases the very best in local talent."

JR, Any favorite moments in the show?

"Hearing Music Man’s full orchestrations has been a joy. Just getting to play the entire Overture and Entr’Acte prior to each Act is thrilling but the highlight for me is to get to conduct at each performance. Most of the theatre shows today require the conductor to play the keyboard and conduct at the same time. That is what I have done for 30 years including the 8 national tours I musical directed. It is so exciting to be able to conduct almost 70 people onstage."

Seth, what can you tell us about Showtune Productions, who is presenting this concert, in association with Theater League?

"Showtune Productions was formed seven years ago by JR McAlexander to offer a wide range of musical revues and tribute shows to performing arts organizations, retirement communities and concert series throughout the Southwest. While most of our tribute artists come from Vegas, New York and International tours, our musical revues showcase local musicians and performers, many of whom are in Music Man in Concert. Showtune Productions has mounted over 70 different productions and has performed hundreds of performances including many performing arts centers including Stocker Arts Center, Mesa Arts Center, Apache Junction Performing Arts Center, Queen Creek Performing Arts Center, Arizona Broadway Theatre and more. With the success of this Music Man project, Showtune Productions hopes to mount future musical theatre classics “in concert” at the Orpheum and other Theatre League venues around the country."

JR, what do you hope audiences take with them after seeing the show?

"Music Man still resonates with contemporary audiences but, more importantly, the fact that one person, in this case Harold Hill, CAN make a difference to an entire community.

I grew up in a small town (even smaller than “River City”) in Iowa. Music Man was the first show I saw as a child and it mesmerized me.  If we touch even one young person and get them excited about musicals this will help keep musical theatre alive in years to come."

CLICK HERE for more information on Music Man in Concert at the Orpheum Theatre, which runs December 1 - 3