The Music Man

Music Man Junior, Abraham Pierson School’s fourth show will be held Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 pm in the Gagnon Auditorium of the Morgan School.   This year’s production with seventy-six students in the musical follows previous productions of “Into the Woods”, “Annie” and “Willy Wonka”. The Friday evening production features Calvin Jackson as Harold Hill and Rebecca Walton as Marion Paroo in the lead roles.  Saturday’s production features Ryan Caldwell and Rebecca Cockley in the lead roles.  A show with this many students takes many volunteers behind the scenes.  There are a lot of teachers that help with backstage duties and supervision.  The Pierson PE teacher Mr. Jahlbert helped build sets, Ms Fitzgerald sewed costumes, Mrs. Kirby coordinates make-up, and Mrs. Madura was in charge of the t-shirts.  The three people Mrs. Neddermann says she could not do all this without are Mrs. Duphily the choreographer, Mrs. St.Germain the costume designer and Mr. Smith the technical director of sound and lights. All of the teachers that work with the children are volunteers, including Mrs. Neddermann, since all of are rehearsals and planning is done after school.

“We all do it because we love theatre and working with kids. My favorite part is watching them develop into their characters. They start in January not really understanding the basics of theatre like voice projection from your diaphragm or "cheating out" to the audience.  By April there is a huge transformation,” shares Mrs. Neddermann.

“I decided to try out for the play this year because it was a fun way to spend more time with my friends,” said Calvin Jackson. He admits it has been a demanding rehearsal schedule but in the end that makes everyone better prepared.

“Learning my lines was the toughest part but reading and acting them out loud with Mrs. Duphily helped,” shared Rebecca Walton.

Playing a lead role is demanding but Rebecca Cockley commented, “A good part of being a lead is coming into contact with the whole cast.”

The Music Man Junior is a musical that features Harold Hill, a traveling conman who descends upon River City, Iowa.  He tries to persuade the town to buy into a band to keep the youth out of trouble.  He becomes smitten with Marion Paroo, the town librarian and music teacher.  Marion is suspicious of Mr. Hill but becomes fond of Mr. Hill.  The result is a wonderfully entertaining story with delightful songs and dancing.

Rebecca Walton encourages everyone to come and see the musical “because it is a good story that is funny and has cool dancing.”

“People should come to see the play because it is fun to watch us kids get up on stage and act,” added Rebecca Cockley.

Pierson’s Theatre program is funded solely through ticket sales and minimal business advertisements. This pays for rental of backdrops, spotlights and costumes depending on the show, as well as the cost to print programs and advertising banners. For example, four backdrops for the Music Man rent for $2,300 from Kenmark. There is always a need paint supplies and lumber to build sets and flats.  Each show can have costs up to $10,000.  From talking to the teachers and students involved however, it is all worth it. 

“The students learn to walk and talk like their character and truly understand who they've become. This year in particular the four boys who portray the school board really begin as characters not liking each other. By the end Harold Hill gets them singing together and they become the best of friends. Everyday in school those four boys are together laughing, singing and hanging out. I've watched this friendship develop during the four months we've been rehearsing. It's wonderful to see things like that, possibly even lifelong friendships and passions develop over the years. I get many former students back to help because they just love it so much. Theatre really creates a family,” Mrs. Neddermann observed. 

Another favorite moment this year was when the cast was asked to sing for the seniors at Perigrines Landing. Escorted by Mrs. Neddermann, half of the cast walked down main street IN COSTUME to get there. It was a sight to see! The students were getting beeps and waves from every car that went by. The seniors loved the children and some were even singing along. It was a win, win situation. 

Come out to support the Pierson Theater Program on Friday, April 27 or Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 pm in the Morgan Auditorium and enjoy wonderful performances by local students.  All seats are reserved and tickets are only $5.00.  For tickets, please call (203) 215-9376 today.