‘The Music Man’ opens at Coastal Carolina University
The musical comedy was written by, and features the music and lyrics of, Meredith Willson. “The Music Man” is set in 1912 River City, Iowa, and follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons people into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize. The catch? He doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef.
Filled with laughs and romance, the original 1957 hit Broadway version of “The Music Man” won three Theatre World Awards and five Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Chad Bagwell, a senior theater major, stars in the leading male role of Harold Hill; Emily Brockway, junior musical theatre major, stars in the leading female role of Marian Paroo.
The production is directed by Monica Bell, assistant professor of theatre; musically directed by Steven Gross, associate professor of theater; and choreographed by Barbara Hartwig, instructor of dance.
In addition to CCU’s resident designers, Kim Cox (set), Eric Hall (costumes) and Seth Cox (sound design), the production crew will include a visiting professional lighting designer, Weston Willkerson. The design/tech students involved in the production are Earlene Copas (student properties mistress), Hannah Johnson (assistant costume designer), Amy Edge (stage manager) and Lee Eisenberg (master electrician).
General admission is $15; seniors and alumni, $10; Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) students, one $5 ticket per valid ID; Coastal Carolina University and HGTC faculty and staff, two $10 tickets per valid ID; teens ages 11 to 17, $5; and children tickets are $5 but must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be picked up from Wheelwright Box Office Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or prior to the performance. For more information, contact the Wheelwright Box Office at 843-349-2502.