`THE MUSIC MAN' MAKES A JOYFUL NOISE (REVIEW)

Meredith Willson grew up in Mason City, Iowa, in the early days of the 20th century, a time and place of innocence. "I didn't have to make anything up for `The Music Man,'" the composer once said. "All I had to do was remember."

That innocent world is transported to the Rose Theatre stage by the University Theatre's production of "The Music Man," which begins a seven-performance run at 8 tonight.

Most people are too young to remember life in small-town America in 1912, and some of Willson's topical references in "The Music Man" may even be lost on old-timers. But such tunes as "Seventy-Six Trombones" and "Trouble" and "Till There Was You" live on in the national consciousness, and you have to love a songwriter who rhymes librarian with carrion.

Director Dennis C. Seyer and his production staff have given their all, and the result is a smartly paced evening of full-throated music and lively hijinks.

Jeffrey Jackson delivers a solid Professor Harold Hill, the charming swindler who reforms through the love of a good woman. He has presence, a strong voice and the confidence to give others their moments.

Danna Dockery is fine as his love interest, Marian Paroo. Her singing on "My White Knight," a little known and difficult number, is particularly good.

Bob Clubbs and Brooke Hildebrand make blow-hard Mayor Shinn and his socialite wife, Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn, out to be deliciously ludicrous. Many of the show's bigger laughs are at these upstanding citizens' expense.

Also sparkling are the performances of Matt Buttrey and Rachel Roberts as teen-agers-in-love Tommy Djilas and Zaneeta "Yee gods" Shinn. Buttrey's dancing ability stands out in the production.

Terence Vallelunga, who won the University Theatre's top male acting award last year, shines again as Marcellus Washburn, the professor's accomplice.

This "Music Man" is full of small but rich characterizations and honed singing, from the plaid-suited salesmen's patter song on a jerking train in the opening scene to the silky harmonies of the barbershop quartet to the River City ladies' and their clucking "Pickalittle" reprise.

Neal E. Boyd, George D. Aplin, Matthew Kiesling and Scott Krietemeyer are a funny and talented crew as the board of education/barbershop quartet.

And town ladies Jessica Nelms, Kim Westrich, Jennifer Cooper and Megwyn Sanders may have people doing the fountain dance on the way out the door.

Also enjoyable is the musical's dancing, choreographed by Dr. Marc Strauss. The dancers appear to be having fun, but getting there was hard work.

Sharon Anderson, who orchestrated the musical's vintage costumes, effects a delightful Irish brogue in the role of Mrs. Paroo.

Steve Ruppel's Charlie Cowell is the perfect scoundrel who's doing everyone a favor by exposing Hill. Ruppel would have made a good professor, too.

Don Marler plays Constable Locke and Rich Behring is the conductor.

In crowd-pleasing children's roles are Stephanie White as Amaryllis, Mikey Crowell as lisping Winthrop Paroo and Amanda Dumey as Gracie Shinn.

Besides Ruppel, the Traveling Salesmen include Scott Mercer, Clay Evans, Ryan Burkett, Justin Heinrich, Barry Rice and Mike Renick.

Members of the Children's Chorus are Matt Essner, Sarah Goeke, Cate Goeke, James Fortner, Aaron Fortner and Elizabeth Fluegge.

The Dancing Chorus includes Scott Mercer, Clay Evans, Ryan Burkett, Justin Heinrich, Bonnie Thornhill, Angela Kosednar, Bria Nicholson and Jamie Becker.

The Singing Chorus includes Barry Rice, Don Marler, Julie Walker, Ellen Seyer, Larissa Sybert, Mike Renick, Rich Behring, Beth Poole, Alison Nall, Jen Maine, Joe Sherinski, Gary Dolphin, Lori Schaffer, Laura Leye and Jennifer Bush.

The musical directors are Dr. Christopher Goeke and Dr. Elizabeth James-Gallagher, with Dr. Sterling Cossaboom conducting the orchestra.

The make-up designer is Jen Maine, with Stephanie Williams and Heather Marsh serving as assistant directors. The stage manager is Anne Sturtevant.

The orchestra includes Mary Jaskowski, Dr. Gary Miller, Becky Swett, Cliff Morice, Carol Robbins, Emily Main, Chris Toretta, Rhett Hendrickson, Jeff Jackson, Rebecca Congo, Shane Keefe, Mike Irizarry, Darren Burgfeld, Julia Alford, Augustus Davis, Jared Prost, Mike Sneller, Robert Giles, Craig Marshall, Chris Crawford and Tim DePriest.

"THE MUSIC MAN"

When: at 8 p.m. today, Saturday, Thursday March 7 and 8; at 2 p.m. Sunday and March 9.

Where: Forrest H. Rose Theatre