What better way can an up-and-growing local director Ric Henry, also sow his producing skills, than with a talented regional theatre group, such as the Carlsbad Community Theatre - as currently appearing at the

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"... You Gotta Know The Territory"

Per Rob Appel

Addendum by Esther PaulSTAR Theatre in Oceanside ... in the classic Meredith

Willson THE MUSIC MAN. Addendum by Esther Paul

ZERO IN ONTHE MUSIC MANWhere: STAR Theatre(Oceanside, California)Dates: 8/15-24thwww.carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com With a sizeable 66-member cast ensemble,

THE MUSIC MAN, splashes across the STAR Theatre stage, under the direction and choreography of Ali Whitman (photo), with musical director Jim Thompkins-MacLaine - heading-up a 12-piece show orchestra. Key headliner in the "every little town ought to have a boys band", is the likeable con-artist HAROLD HILL (as played and sung tops by Joel Schmidt), and the River City's town librarian-from-heaven, MARIAN PAROO, played by Jessica Laitinen (looking as beautiful, tall and stately - as her lyric soprano could ask for). Supporting roles of note, came with MUSIC MAN Harold Hill's

side-kick ... MARCELLUS WASHBURN (played with 'gusto' by Robert Wolter) - who, I would imagine, undoubtedly must have now some sort-of-track-record, for dashing back-and-forth across the stage. Further, how can one not 'rave' just-a-bit, over the show's scene-stealer, little WINTHROP PAROO (fully all of 2-feet-plus high Catalina Zelles), who - on more than one occasion, brought wide smiles over the faces of the enthusiastic audience - and, near-stopped the show with "Gary, Indiana".

Robert Wolter

Speaking now of vocal highlights ... Joel Schmidt's HAROLD HILL, hit the high- road vocally, clearly on pitch, right from the get-go, with "Trouble" (here in River City) - Joel, joined his 'sprinter buddy' Robert Wolter’s MARCELLUS, in "The Sadder-But-Wiser-Girl" - and, of course, Joel rocked

Jessica Laitinen, Catalina Zelles, & Mary Ann Van Sickle and in showstopper "Gary, Indiana"

Paul Jennings, Phil Ouelette, Lee Wolfe Scott Weldon in ... "Lida Rose"

Joel Schmidt as Harold Hill

the house with the townspeople - in the show's signature song ... "76-Trombones".

Likewise, Jessica Laitinen's MARIAN (I might note, not your usual librarian), was delightful in "Good Night My Someone" - showing her clear lyric soprano in "My White Knight" ... and joining Joel in "Till There Was You" - and, not to miss, the rather lengthy (but well-executed) mega dance production number "Marian The Librarian" ... ummm, the Madison Library will never be the same! "Shipoopi", in Act II, became the choreographic equal to "Marian the Librarian" - as choreographer Ali Whitman, pulled-out all the stops, and with MARCELLUS (Robert Wolter), taking the lead, along with the full cast ensemble, took the dance action ... out onto Madison Park!

With all the aforementioned excitement, this viewer's favorite moments were with the silly and hilarious �ve GRECIAN URNS in "Eulalie's Ballet" - featuring EULALIE, MAUD, ALMA, ETHEL (and, I believe, the tooth-paste smile and charm of Ali Whitman herself) ... priceless and a gem! (In fact, as per Ali Whitman) "The fact that this musical

Jill Schmidt and her "Grecian Urns"

takes place over the Fourth of July holiday, says a lot about the intent of its author, Meredith Willson. Our deep patriotic roots, are highlighted by the red, white and blue, all-American townspeople that attend it. It speaks to our own sensibilities of a time, that is long gone - to a realization of how much has changed, and also, to how much has remained the same. It speaks to us in a language it has by itself created, and intuitively ... we somehow understand it."

Producer Ric Henry

Addendum Per Esther J. Paul - What an enjoyable surprise it was to see The Music Man, at The Star Theatre in Oceanside. This is a production of the Carlsbad Community Theatre, which is a non-pro�t group - that supports performing arts in their community. The city of Carlsbad’s Cultural Arts O�ce partially supports this project. There are several very good actors, singers and/or dancers in this large, capable (66) cast - most notably, Robert Wolter, who plays Marcellus Washburn ... beautifully. Harold Hill, is well played by Joel Schmidt - who has a rich, well- trained voice - and Jessica Latitinen is Marian, “the librarian”. Although, she does not look anything like what our culture thinks ... a typical librarian should look like (she is very blond, very elegant and very comely) - she has a lovely voice, and she and Wolter are credible in their parts. Kudos to Producer Ric Henry, and Director/ Choreographer Ali Whitman - for their wonderful work. ******In brief overview - a constructive suggestion would be, for the powers-to-be, to focus more on the 'musicianship' of the show orchestra - particularly, the brass and trumpet 'squeeks' at the top of the show and throughout - were somewhat o�-putting! Playing an all too-brief run, Ric Henry's THE MUSIC MAN will be at

Musical Director - Jim Tompkins-MacLaine

the STAR Theatre, only though August 24th. However, do contact the Carlsbad Community Theatre, for their future endeavors (reliable rumor has it ... HAIRSPRAY) - well-worth supporting these all community artists ... and loads of fun!Contact - info@carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com*******

"The Wells Fargo Wagon"