THEATER REVIEW -- Tom Titus

You get a sense of how long “The Music Man” has been a staple of

America’s theatrical diet when you consider that the little kid who

played Winthrop in the movie version (Ron Howard) just walked off with a

best director Oscar -- capping a long and distinguished career.

Yes, the Meredith Willson musical has been around for 4 1/2 decades,

but if you think that makes it musty, take a gander at the high-voltage

touring production now onstage at the Orange County Performing Arts

Center. You’ll see some brand new comedy, characterization and

choreography.

Those 76 trombones have never been brassier, and the role of the

slippery salesman, Professor Harold Hill, has never been in smoother,

more self-assured hands than those of Gerritt Vandermeer, who heads a

marvelous ensemble. And -- because neither the performers nor musicians

are unionized -- you get the show at a bargain price.

To those picketers waving signs reading “Nonunion = Amateur,” boy, did

you dial a wrong number. Union membership never has automatically equated

to professionalism, as this terrific “Music Man” demonstrates. If this is

amateur theater, let’s have more of it.

It should be noted that the Broadway revival that spawned this touring

production originally was directed by Susan Stroman -- who’s also

represented by another little tidbit on the Great White Way titled “The

Producers.” Director Ray Roderick has re-created Stroman’s direction and

choreography, and it outshines the original Broadway production (which,

yes, I saw back in 1960).

Vandermeer may not be Robert Preston, but he’s almost a ringer for

Dick Van Dyke back in his “Mary Poppins” days. He’s a showman par

excellence, striking up the band of River City, Iowa, rustics with a

gleeful fervor and a honeyed tenor voice that’ll have you tapping your

toes almost immediately.

And speaking of voices, the superb, operatically trained soprano tones

of Carolann M. Sanita as Marian the librarian are a particular treat.

When she warbles “My White Knight” and “Till There Was You,” you’ll thank

your lucky stars you ignored those pickets outside.

Paul Ford may be the definitive Mayor Shinn, but Albert Parker comes

closest to the late blusterer as the malaprop-spouting city official.

It’s an absolutely hilarious performance. Corey Elias, however, doesn’t

fare quite so well as his haughty wife, often reaching a bit too far for

the comic style that comes so naturally to Parker.

Morgan Williams has some fine sprightly moments as Marcellus, the

professor’s partner in scam, and Megan Bowen is adorable as his

girlfriend -- a role usually played by a much more corpulent actress.

Little Joseph Fanelli is a kick as the lisping Winthrop, and Angela

Deangelo shines as his adoring friend Amaryllis.

Emphatic performances are delivered by Pam Feicht (Mrs. Paroo), Connor

Kilian Weigand (Tommy Djilas) and Megan Selensky (Zaneeta), but Ron

Smith’s arrogant anvil salesman takes the prize for wresting a lot of

comedy out of a little stage time. The barber shop quartet of Joacquin

Stevens, Evan Harrington, Kent Alan Bollman and Dan Debenport is

particularly easy on the ears.

Liam Burke has re-created Stroman’s original choreography, which

expanded on the original version, enhancing it splendidly. The “76

Trombones” number is a concert in itself, while the library dance and

“Shipoopi” segments are gloriously high-stepping.

A show this upbeat calls for a fabulous finale, and this “Music Man”

delivers beautifully with an extended striking up of the band that’ll

have you humming “76 Trombones” all the way home. These actors and

musicians may not have union cards, but they’ve got a ton of talent,

energy and sheer showmanship.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Thursdays and Saturdays.

FYI

* What: “The Music Man”

* Where: Orange County Performing Arts Center, 500 Town Center Drive,

Costa Mesa

* When: Closing performances 2 and 8 p.m. today, and 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday

* Cost: $20-$55

* Call: (714) 740-7878