Production Title: The Music Man Kids
Production Company: Baker Performing Arts at SanTan Village, Gilbert
Playwright or Screenwriter: Meredith Wilson
Director: Tiffany Selene
Music Director: Clyde Baker, Artistic Director

Compensation: No Pay

Rehearsals Begin: 04/08/2017
Run/Shoot Dates: – 06/03/2017

Synopsis
Master showman Harold Hill is in town and he’s got “seventy-six trombones” in tow. Can upright, uptight Marian, the town librarian, resist his powerful allure? The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, 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. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, whose belief in Harold’s

Character Breakdown

Harold Hill is a huge role and the essence of The Music Man KIDS. Cast an actor who has charisma and charm and is not afraid to take a positive risk onstage. He should be a good singer and mover and also have excellent acting chops. It is ideal if he has an excellent sense of rhythm. Your Harold should pair up well with Marian, and the two together should exude a spark of excitement.

Marian Paroo begins as an uptight librarian and transforms into a beautiful, trusting young woman. Marian should be a strong singer and actor, and also be able to move well. She must have an air of confidence that draws Harold to her.

Charlie Cowell is a Traveling Salesman, and is one of the premium acting-only roles in The Music Man KIDS. Cast a strong actor with a loud voice. Charlie should have a sense of confidence and love being onstage!

Mayor Shinn should be able to perform his role as proud politician very seriously, yet have a sense of comic timing. This actor does not have to sing or dance, but is responsible for a great deal of pacing and line pick-ups in the show.

Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn is a great role for a comic actress! If Eulalie takes herself seriously your audience will find her hysterical. She does have some singing and some moving, but creating a “larger than life” character that works with your Mayor Shinn is essential.

Marcellus Washburn is the classic sidekick to Harold. His big number is “Shipoopi,” so he should be a good singer, a great actor and be able to dance. Cast a kid who is natually funny and you will have a terrific Marcellus.

Mrs. Paroo is a good mother, stands up for what she beieves and gently pushes Marian to think of her future. The role requires an actress who can sing and act. However, she doesn’t need to have a polished voice – the more character the better!

Winthrop is Marian’s shy younger brother who hardly talks because of his pronounced lisp. This is a great role for a young performer who is a good actor. Winthrop transforms from shy to outspoken, and not only sings but dances!

Amaryllis is Marian’s slightly bratty, young piano student who has a crush on Winthrop.

Tommy is the teen heartthrob in the show and a non-singing role. Cast a boy that can dance and create a strong character. Tommy’s love interest is Zaneeta, so make sure the two characters have chemistry between them.

Zaneeta Shinn is the oldest and slightly daffy daughter of the Mayor and Eulalie. Cast a girl who is a strong dancer. Although this is a non-singing role, a well-ast Zaneeta will gain mileage out of her classic “Ye gads!” line.

Gracie is Zaneeta’s little sister and the youngest daughter of the Mayor and Eulalie.

Ethel is Marcellus’s girlfriend. She’s described by Marcellus as “a nice comfortable girl and the bosses’ niece.” Ethel has some acting, some singing, and some dancing. Ethel is also one of the solo Pick-a-Little ladies.

Pick-a-little Ladies: Alma Hix, Maud Dunlop and Mrs. Squires. The Pick-A-Little ladies are the gossip queens of River City. These characters need to act, sing and move well. Cast girls with strong voices and a good sense of cominc timing.

The conductor has the first line in The Music Man KIDS.

Constable Locke is River City’s chief law enforcement officer. He is a quiet, wise man who sees through Harold, yet doesn’t seem to take Harold’s antics too seriously. No singing or dancing is required for this role.

Townspeople The River City Townspeople are the heart and soul of The Music Man KIDS. The story is about a community of people so assigning your cast into family units is key.

The Traveling Salesmen are non-singing roles suited for performers that have a strong rhythmic sense. “Rock Island” is the rap of its time

The Wan Tan Ye Girls are featured during Eulalie’s “Spectacle” in scene 4 prior to “76 Trombones.” Cast students who aren’t afraid of acting silly.

Additional Info

TIFFANY SELENE, (director) is a graduate of Hamilton High School and has loved the arts for as long as she can remember. She has studied at Baker Performing Arts with Mr. Baker for six years, and has now grown into the position of Director at Baker Performing Arts. Some of her favorite musical theatre roles include Miss Hannigan (Annie), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Buddy (Elf), Witch (Into the Woods), Alex (Madagascar the Musical), and Scarecrow (Wizard of Oz).
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What To Prepare

Please prepare a song to sing that best showcases your voice. Sing Acapella or you may bring a backing track.