The Music Man

A loving tribute to the big band era
Book, music, lyrics by Meredith Willson
June 10 – July 13

The Music Man
Derek Martin is Harold Hill

South Bend Tribune article about
Repertory Theatre at Amish Acres

Purchase Your Tickets Here
A Note from the Director
The Cast
Scenes and Musical Numbers
Technical and Artistic Staff
Cast Biographies
Theme Buffet Menu

Produced in the second year of repertory musical theatre on The Joseph Stein Stage with Broadway’s Dirk Lumbard as Harold Hill, a tap dancing take on the role made famous by Robert Preston and played in revival by Eddie Albert, Dick Van Dyke, and, most recently, Craig Bierko with Dirk Lumbard as understudy. It brought regional attention to the Amish Acres’ new theatre’s intentions of providing professional musical theatre at its highest levels. Derek Martin, tap dancing protégée of Lumbard’s, will assume the role of the slick talkin’ Hill. Morton DaCosta and Barbara Cook debuted on Broadway in Amish Acres signature musical Plain and Fancy as the director and Hilda Miller in 1955. Two years later they were teamed again as director and Marian the Librarian in one of the biggest hits of all time. The original cast recording remained on Billboard’s charts for 245 weeks. No Broadway songs are better known than “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “The Wells Fargo Wagon” and “Gary, Indiana.”

June 22, 2008

My wife and I really enjoyed your performance last Sunday. It was a great show. Everyone associated with this production did a superb job. The music, the action, the scenery were very, very good. As a retired band director I have never used the “think” method but it works for “The Music Man.” Again, congratulations to everyone for a fine show.

Sincerely,
Carl J. Doherty

P.S. I am a graduate of the IU Music School in Bloomington, a retired band director and play trombone in two concert bands and a dance band.

A Note from the Director

There is an image in my mind when I think of The Music Man. A black and white photo is scalloped along its edges. At the corners are old fashioned triangular black mounts. The photo is of a parade from long ago. It is an image from photo albums handed down from generation to generation. The Music Man is an escape into that photo.

As I imagine that photo, I realize that the black and white photo misrepresents life in its monochromatic way. As Harold Hill brings “music”, life, and love into River City, I want the audience to realize how colorful those lives from long ago, were. Meredith Willson captures the full color of life with music and dance in this beautiful American classic. Enjoy The Music Man! Enjoy the show!

~ Richard P. Snyder

The Cast

Conductor..................................Anthony Easterwood
Traveling Salesman.....................Jeremy Littlejohn
.................................................Sam Brown
.................................................Jeffrey Funaro
.................................................J.D. Simper
.................................................David Smith
Charlie Cowell............................Richard P. Snyder
Harold Hill..................................Derek Martin
Mayor Shinn...............................Jeremy William Hilgert
The Quartet:
Ewart Dunlop..............................David Smith
Oliver Hix...................................Jeffrey Funaro
Jacey Squires.............................Anthony Easterwood
Olin Britt....................................J.D. Simper
Marcellus Washburn....................Sam Brown
Tommy Djilas.............................Lance Mullins
Marian Paroo..............................Amber Burgess
Mrs. Paroo.................................Pam Gunterman
Amaryllis...................................Molly Hill
Winthrop Paroo..........................Danny Fattorusso
Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn.............Rachel Black
Zaneeta Shinn............................Jennifer Jackson
Gracie Shinn..............................Abigail Gaut
Alma Hix....................................Allison Jones
Maud Dunlop..............................Katy Nichols
Ethel Toffelmier..........................Emily Baer
Mrs. Squires...............................Karen Courliss
Mrs. Britt....................................Kelly Geisel
River City Children......................Bay Cope

* Understudy for Marian – Karen Courliss

Scenes and Musical Numbers

Act I

Overture - Orchestra

Scene 1: a Train, the morning of July 4th 1912
Rock Island - Salesman, Charlie Cowell

Scene 2: River City, Iowa center of town
Iowa Stubborn - Townspeople
Ya Got Trouble - Harold, Townspeople

Scene 3: Interior of the Paroo House
Piano Lesson/If You Don’t Mind My Saying So - Mrs. Paroo, Marian
Goodnight My Someone - Marian, Amaryllis

Scene 4: Madison Gymnasium in River City High School
Columbia, Gem of the Ocean - Eulalie, Townspeople
Ya Got Trouble (Reprise) - Harold
Seventy-Six Trombones - Harold, Townspeople
Ice Cream / Sincere - Harold, Quartet

Scene 5: Center of town
The Sadder But Wiser Girl - Harold, Marcellus
Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little/Goodnight, Ladies -
Eulalie, the Ladies, Quartet

Scene 6: Interior of the Library
Marian the Librarian - Harold

Scene 7: Center of town

Scene 8: the Paroo’s Porch
My White Knight - Marian

Scene 9: Center of town
The Wells Fargo Wagon - Townspeople, Quartet, Winthrop

Act II

Entr’acte - Orchestra

Scene 1: Madison Gymnasium
It’s You - Quartet
Shipoopi - Marcellus, Townspeople
Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little (Reprise) - Eulalie, the Ladies

Scene 2: the Hotel Porch
Lida Rose / Will I Ever Tell You - Harold, Quartet, Marian

Scene 3: the Paroo’s Porch
Gary Indiana - Winthrop, Mrs. Paroo, Marian
Lida Rose (Reprise) - Quartet

Scene 4: the Footbridge
It’s You (Ballet) - Orchestra
Til There Was You - Marian, Harold
Goodnight, My Someone/Seventy-Six Trombones (Reprise) - Marian, Harold
Til There Was You (Reprise) - Harold

Scene 5: Madison Gymnasium

Finale - Orchestra

Technical and Artistic Staff

Executive Producer: Richard Pletcher

Artistic Director: Jeremy Littlejohn

Director: Richard P. Snyder

Music Director: Denise Minter

Choreographer: Derek Martin

Technical Director: Erin Ramer

Production Stage Manager: Regina Warren

Props Master / House Mgr.: Lance Mullins

Set Designer: Erin Ramer

Costume Coordinator: Amber Burgess

Lighting Designer: David Castaneda

Sound Designer: Paul Dodds

Master Carpenter: Alvin Yoder

Scenic Artist: Erin Ramer

Box Office Manager: Jennifer Scheffer

Marketing: The Village Group, LLC

Read the Technical and Artistic Staff Biographies

Cast Biographies

Emily Baer (Ethel) is originally from Goshen and is making her second appearance at Amish Acres after being seen in 2007’s Thoroughly Modern Millie. She is a Musical Theatre Major at Millikin University.

Rachel Black (Eulalie) holds degrees in Vocal Performance from Vanderbilt University and The University of Kentucky. Before making the switch to musical theater, Miss Black performed the role of Meg Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Emma Jones in Street Scene, Marcellina in Le Nozze di Figaro, Arnalta in L’incoronazione di Poppea, and was the alto soloist in Mozart’s Requiem. She also toured internationally with the American Spiritual Ensemble. Favorite musical theater credits include Charlotte in A Little Night Music, Martha in White Christmas, and Bloody Mary in South Pacific. Thanks to supportive family and friends. To God be the Glory!

Sam Brown (Marcellus) A Nappanee native, Sam has been performing on stage in church, school and Community Theater since elementary school. His first professional work was for a local company, Playhouse Productions which performed dinner theater for various groups and businesses. Sam has been performing at the Round Barn Theater since 1997 and has held many posts here including House Manager, Props Master and Stage Manager. This will be his ninth season on the Joseph Stein Stage. Audiences may remember Sam in such roles as Jeff Douglas in Brigadoon, Charles Thompson in 1776, Dan King in Plain and Fancy, Schroeder in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Reverend Ogelthorpe in Smoke on the Mountain, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and King Pellinore in Camelot. He also played the lead role of David Kolowitz in the Second Stage Production of Enter Laughing and recently played Uncle Louie in Lost in Yonkers. Sam enjoys writing as well as acting. He has written two plays and is currently working on a third.

Amber Burgess (Marian) is thrilled to be returning to The Round Barn Theatre for the 2008 season. A current resident of Chicago, she is originally from Jamestown, ND and has been traveling the U.S. for the past five years working in regional theatre and cabaret. Most recently she has been seen in her cabaret at the Bailiwick Theatre and in Smoke on the Mountain with the Provision Theatre Company both in Chicago. Amber has been playing stringed instruments since the age of nine and has been working in the theatre since she was eight. Her largest career goal is to perform in all 50 states. Thus far she has performed in AK, OH, KY, IN, MI, ND, SD, MN, VA, and IL. She has sung solo in every major cathedral in France, and in her spare time enjoys running, writing, reading, knitting, and dreaming about polishing her future Tony Award for Best Actress. Visit http://www.amberburgess.com.

Karen Courliss (Mrs. Squires) is happy to be making her Round Barn debut! Karen graduated from Bethel College in 2007 with a degree in Vocal Performance. Some of her favorite roles include Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls under the direction of Jeremy Littlejohn, Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan, Antonia in Man of La Mancha and several comedic operas at Bethel. She was also seen at Elkhart Civic Theatre as Liesl in The Sound of Music. Karen currently resides in Mishawaka with her amazing husband Tim.

“Thank you Mom, Dad, Kevin, Kelli and Tim for always believing in me!”

Jeffrey Funaro (Oliver) has performed at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse (NY), Mac-Haydn Theatre (NY) and Carousel Music Theatre (ME). Favorite shows include The Music Man (Quartet), White Christmas (Ezekiel Foster), Violet (Preacher), and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. He has also Music Directed Seussical and Gilligan’s Island the Musical. Jeff has a BFA in Theatre from NYU’s Tisch School, CAP21 Program, and an MA in Music Composition from CUNY Queens College.

Kelly F. Geisel (Mrs. Britt) is a native of Mishawaka, IN. She has enjoyed being in many shows over the years which include Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up, Peter Pan, The Scarlet Pimpernel and many more. She plans to pursue theatre as long as she can and go where the Lord leads.

“Thank you to all family, friends and teachers who have taught me so many lessons to help me on life’s journey.”

Pam Gunterman (Mrs. Paroo) is glad to be appearing at the Round Barn Theatre again. She was last seen on main stage in the RBT 2006 production of Camelot. Pam has also been seen on the “Second Stage,” as Gert in Lost in Yonkers and Truvy in Steel Magnolias in 2007. Pam has filled many roles in her theatrical experience including Director, Choreographer, Stage Crew Member and Actor. Her favorite role to this point is Charity Hope Valentine in Sweet Charity. She would like to thank her husband Tony for his support and God for life’s endless opportunities.

Jeremy William Hilgert (Mayor Shinn) hails from Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. Jeremy comes fresh from a revival of his critically acclaimed performance as Mr. Bullard in A Midnight Cry at the Growing Stage Theater in Netcong, New Jersey. Some of Jeremy's favorite roles include Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense A-men, Horton in Seussical, and Toad in A Year with Frog and Toad. Jeremy studied voice and opera at Temple University and received a B.A. in Political Science from Centenary College. "A very special thank you to my amazing family and friends!" Check Jeremy out on the web at www.jeremywilliamhilgert.com.

Jennifer Jackson (Zaneeta) A West Coast girl, Jennifer has primarily worked the Southern California scene where she was seen in such roles as Corrie Bratler in Barefoot in the Park, Treasure, The Swashbuckling Pirate Queen at the Pirate Dinner Adventure Theatre and the title role in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. A recent MFA Acting graduate from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA, her latest performance was as Cinderella in Into the Woods.

“Many thanks to Derek Martin, my family and to The Master Artist…this one’s for you, Dad!”

Allison Jones (Maude Dunlop) is excited to be appearing for the third time on The Joseph Stein Stage. In recent years, she has been seen in Bye Bye Birdie and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Allison is currently a student at Ball State University where she is double majoring in Theatrical Studies and English Literature.

“I’d like to thank my friends and family for all their continued support and encouragement over the years. I love you all!

Jeremy Littlejohn (Traveling Salesman) has worked for Amish Acres since 1997 and has appeared on the Joseph Stein Stage in over 30 different musicals. Favorite RBT credits include Barnaby in The Baker’s Wife, Judge Wilson in 1776, Dimas in Triumph of Love, Sancho in Man of La Mancha, Diesel in West Side Story, Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden, Roscoe Dexter in Singin’ in the Rain, Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Johnny Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Horton the Elephant in Seussical, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. He also appeared in the staged readings of Take Me Along as Sid, The Spitfire Grill as Caleb and Floyd Collins as Homer. In his spare time he is a private acting coach and obsesses over The Simpsons.

Derek Martin (Harold Hill) is thrilled to be “Back Home Again in Indiana!” He is currently pursuing his MFA in Acting with Regent University where he recently was seen as Jack in Into the Woods and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He also choreographed both shows along with an original piece And Sarah Laughed which is touring internationally with Broadway talent Carol Jaudos. Derek is very excited to step into Dirk Lumbard’s shoes as Harold Hill. He would like to thank first and foremost, God for everything as well as his family and Jennifer his lovely fiance.

“God Bless and enjoy the show!”

Lance Mullins (Tommy) is 19 years old and recently graduated from Northwood High School. Favorite roles include Mereb in Aida at Northwood, Lefou in Beauty and the Beast with Elkhart Civic Theatre, Charlie in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Nappanee Civic Theatre and High School Musical with The Round Barn Theatre in 2007. He was also recently seen in the RBT’s Second Stage Production of Lost in Yonkers as Jay. He can be seen back on the Joseph Stein Stage this summer in Willy Wonka. Some of his favorite hobbies include photography and writing music.

Katy Nichols (Mrs. Dunlop) hails from Elkhart, IN and is so excited to be back on The Joseph Stein Stage. Her last appearance at RBT was during the summer of 2005 as Lambchops in Fame. Katy has spent the past two years at Ball State University as a Musical Theatre major, but will be transferring to Bethel College in the fall to continue her studies closer to home. Some of her favorite roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Rusty in Footloose, Bird Girl in Seussical and Carol in Oleanna. Katy was also fortunate to sing the role of La Badessa in The University of Notre Dame’s Opera Suor Angelica when she was a junior in high school. When she is not on stage, being a waitress or substitute teaching, she loves to spend time with her family, friends and animals.

J.D. Simper (Olin) is very excited to be in his first full season with the company. Recent Round Barn productions include Fred in A Christmas Carol, a member of the Cowboy Quartet in The Will Rogers Follies and Bee Doyle in Floyd Collins. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice, Music and Theatre from Bethel College. He would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support. Love you all.

David Smith (Ewart) recently completed his education at Indiana Wesleyan University with a BS in Elementary Education. This is his second “go round,” at The Round Barn and he is extremely excited to be back. He would like to thank his family, the Fiebigs and above all…God!