THEATER REVIEW:

Local theatergoers will find an abundance of amusement this weekend as two local theater groups open their latest productions.

Members of the Huntington Beach High School Academy for the Performing Arts are featured in the lively musical “The Music Man,” while the Huntington Beach Playhouse will counter with the comedy “Under Papa’s Picture.”

For Tim Nelson, artistic and musical director of the APA, it’ll be his fifth visit to River City, Iowa, and his third experience playing the leading role of professor Harold Hill. The other two occasions found him either directing or musical directing.

“I have loved this show ever since I can remember,” Nelson commented. “I actually was raised in Minnesota — a stone’s throw away from Iowa — in a small town and began my instrumental career in the kids’ band, which was very big there.”

Nelson will be joined in the cast of 54 by his wife, actress Mary Murphy Nelson, who’s cast as the haughty social leader and mayor’s wife, Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn. Marian the librarian will be portrayed by Tricia Griffin.

Other principal roles will be taken by Vincent Aniceto as Marcellus Washburn, Cliff Senior as Mayor Shinn and Sylvia Tomaselli-Nelson as Mrs. Paroo.

Three members of the barber shop quartet answer to the surname of Bartosch — Matt, Alex and Bob. Brian Chapman rounds out the foursome. Gary Canavello is the anvil salesman Charlie Cowell, Glynn Montemayor and Katie Bartosch play the teen lovers Tommy and Zaneeta, with local legend Kent Johnson appearing as the constable.

Nelson is doubling as director and musical director. Diane Makas and Jennifer Simpson Matthews are choreographing and Carrie Hacker (the musical theater assistant at APA) is assisting.

“The feeling of community this show gives off is so warming,” Nelson declared. “Of course, performing with your best friends, your mentor (Johnson), as well as your wife and godsons (the Bartosch twins) just can’t be beat. It is a true family musical.”

Meanwhile, the seldom-produced comedy “Under Papa’s Picture” opens Friday at the Huntington Beach Playhouse under the direction of Jim Rice.

“ ‘Under Papa’s Picture’ is a semisweet look back at the late ’70s,” Rice notes. John Francis O’Connell is constructing the ideal image of a young executive on the rise with Dupont — the right clothes, the right home and art, and the perfect family. But, on the day he is promoted to vice president of explosives, his perfect world blows up with the news his freewheeling San Francisco mother is pregnant.

“What follows is a charming, funny and sometimes touching examination of what happens when we invest in who we want people to think we are instead of who we are. John’s presuppositions are challenged at every turn and life decisions are made along the way,” the director adds.

Justin Young is the young executive, John Francis O’Connell. Kimberly Woolridge, is John’s mom, Grace.

Others in the cast are Huntington Beach locals Keita Middleton and Deborah Marchant as well as playhouse veterans Michael Corcoran and Richard Hawkes. Nine-year-old Steven Muise of Huntington Beach makes his stage debut in “Under Papa’s Picture.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “The Music Man”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and May 23 and 24 and 2 p.m. Sunday and May 25

WHERE: Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way in Westminster  

COST: $10 and $20

INFO: (714) 793-1150.

WHAT: “Under Papa’s Picture”

WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through June 1

WHERE: Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave.  

INFO: (714) 3750696.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.