NFLT: The Music Man

Apr 08, 2015

by Pat Fisher

The excitement is building. Rehearsals are underway. North Frontenac Little Theatre is at it again and this time in a very big way: big cast, many costumes, great sets, and much music. They are getting ready to perform "The Music Man" on May 1st and 2nd and May 8th and 9th at 7 o'clock and on May 10th for a final matinee at 2 at the Granite Ridge Education Centre. The cast is made up of 43 people. Seven of them are under 12 years of age, seven are teenagers, and they are our friends, relatives, and neighbours. If you meet the members of the cast and ask them about the play they will smile and say how much fun it is. They especially like the dance warm-up that starts off each night's practice. That's when you hear Tim White calling out above the music, keeping the beat. The stage is crowded with people moving. Barbara Agnew is playing the piano. Christina Wotherspoon directs the music. John Pariselli looks on with his director's eye. While that is going on, Peggy Muldoon is at the back of the gym with boxes and more boxes of costumes that have been used in previous productions. She is masterfully assembling outfits for all 43 people, many needing changes for different scenes. She relies on accessories and about 5% newly created costumes. Parents of young members of the cast are there, some with their tiny children. The youngest is 11 months old but there is a 21 month old, enthralled by the action. In the music room down the hall, assistant director, Carol Belanger is working on a specific part of the play with two cast members. The whole place is alive. I asked a question to many people: what is one word to describe this production and your experience? The answers: brilliant, amazing, impressed, lovely, chaotic, beautiful. Tim summed it up. He said all the people gathered and worked together and something great happened and is continuing to happen. He is thrilled. "It just wants to burst my heart".

Save the date that suits your schedule, invite your family and friends. You will be glad that you did.