THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9411090165
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
The music and comedy of ``The Music Man'' goes on for nearly 2 1/2 hours - it just seems abbreviated.
You know, time flies when you're having fun - and you do with this Smithfield Little Theatre production.
Karen Norman had quite a task for a first-time director, but she did her job so well they will be tugging at her sleeves again to direct another play at the Cotton Gin.
This play is a pure delight, upbeat family fun revolving around a con man whose heart-of-stone is melted by Marian the librarian in River City, Iowa.
Karen Willard, who has melted many a heart for many a year, still has that little-girl-at-Christmastime voice plus the charm and vocal talent that is particularly appropriate in ``The Music Man.''
Professor Harold Hill, the con artist, as scripted by Meredith Willson, must be somebody with his own brand of charm, and beaucoup personality.
Who, but Jim Abicht? The husky-voiced veteran performer is right at home in the role.
Try not to take a role opposite pets or children. That is, purportedly, advice once given by W.C. Fields.
There are lots of children cavorting about in ``The Music Man.'' The two who have the major roles must be given credit for delightful performances. Sydney Garrison - that's a girl - is a cute Amaryllis.
The other is Matthew Norman, second generation of the local showbiz dynasty of the director and daddy Tim Norman, who offers a good portrayal of Charlie Cowell.
Button-cute Matthew, complete with convincing lisp, doesn't just steal a scene. He overpowers it.
There are no duds in the cast. Young and old enjoy themselves onstage, a feeling passed onto the audience.
There is also audience appreciation for a fine set and beautiful turn-of-the-century costumes.
Some of the musical numbers are quite challenging and were probably rehearsal ``sons-of-guns.'' Willson did not set out to make things easy for the performers.
Once the play starts, though, those numbers are performed with ease. The singing and the choreography work so well.
The one thing that is missing is the brass. This is the ``Seventy-Six Trombones'' show, going with only piano and drums, so a little bit of the goose-bump excitement is lost.
All the songs are delightful - the fast-moving ``Pickalittle'' ``Wells Fargo Wagon'' and the opener, ``Rock Island,'' but the showstopper is ``Shipoopi,'' done to a crisp by several cast members headed by Trey Gwaltney as Marcellus Washburn.
Unless you're a puffy old grouch, you will thoroughly enjoy ``The Music Man,'' a fine Smithfield Little Theatre offering. MEMO: The Smithfield Little Theatre presents ``The Music Man'' at the Cotton
Gin Theatre at 8 p.m. tonight through Saturday and Nov. 17 to 19 and
2:30 p.m. Nov. 13. by CNB