‘The Music Man’ marches in to Music Circus

The 2012 Music Circus season continues with “The Music Man,” theatre’s musical tribute to the optimism, warmth, stubbornness and innocence of small town America, at Wells Fargo Pavilion from July 31 through Aug. 5.

There’s trouble in River City when traveling salesman Harold Hill comes to town promising to form a children’s marching band to chase away the city’s imagined ills. His plan hits home, but his motives are questioned by the spunky librarian Marian.

Playing Harold Hill in this iconic musical will be Patrick Cassidy, whose Broadway credits include “Annie Get Your Gun” and “42nd Street,” in which he starred with his mother, stage and screen star Shirley Jones. And playing Mrs. Paroo will be Shirley Jones, who starred in the classic films “The Music Man,” “Oklahoma!” and “Carousel,” as well as the popular TV series “The Partridge Family.”

Playing Marian Paroo will be Brandi Burkhardt, whose Broadway credits include “Mamma Mia!” and “A Tale Of Two Cities” and who has played a variety of film and television roles.

Kevin Cooney, whose Broadway and touring credits include “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “M. Butterfly” and “Big River,” will play Mayor Shinn.

Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn will be played by Paula Leggett Chase, whose Broadway credits include “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Pajama Game” and “Kiss Me, Kate.”

Bradley Benjamin, whose Broadway and touring credits include “Oklahoma!” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” will play Zaneeta Shinn.

Tommy Djilas will be played by Michael McGurk, whose Broadway credits include “The Wedding Singer” and “The Music Man.”

Marcellus Washburn will be played by Jason Graae, who has performed on Broadway in “A Grand Night For Singing,” “Falsettos” and “Stardust.”

“The Music Man,” with book, lyrics and music by Meredith Wilson, features the classic songs “Seventy Six Trombones,” “Goodnight My Someone” and “Till There Was You.”

The original Broadway production, starring Robert Preston and Barbara Cook, opened Dec. 19, 1957 and ran for 1,375 performances, closing April 15, 1961.

It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1958 and won six, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Robert Preston) and Best Featured Actress (Barbara Cook).

There were two subsequent Broadway productions in 1980 and 2000. The beloved film “The Music Man,” based on the musical and starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones, was released in 1962.

Music Circus is produced under the leadership of California Musical Theatre Artistic Director Glenn Casale and Associate Producer Scott Klier. The Music Circus production of “The Music Man” will be directed by Glenn Casale. Choreographer is Dan Mojica and music director is Dennis Castellano.

Music Circus productions are presented at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H St. in Sacramento. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., and Thursday and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets start at $30. Tickets are available by phone at 916-557-1999, online at tickets.com, or in person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion box office.

The 62nd Music Circus season continues with “Fiddler on the Roof” (Aug. 14 to 19) and “Crazy for You” (Aug. 28 to Sept. 2).

For more information visit SacramentoMusicCircus.com.