‘The Music Man’ is seventh All Saints summer production

By BENNIE SCARTON JR.

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"The Music Man," this week will be the seventh summer musical production in as many years by the Upper Room Theatre Ministries at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas.

The performances will be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. at 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas.

Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; and $8 for youths. For reservations call 703-393-2141, Ext. 400 or e-mail .

Meredith Wilson's tribute to the Smalltown, U.S.A. of early 1900s follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize, despite the fact he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian Paroo, the librarian.

The production draws from members of the All Saints parish community and beyond. Local actors include Mike Duda, a Manassas native and West Point graduate as "Professor" Harold Hill; Seton School graduate Nicole Smith, as the librarian who steals his heart; and Prince William's own Prince William Sound barbershop singing group (tenor Ralph Johnson, lead Glenn Dockery, Bass Al Elkins, and baritone Al Litchfield.)

Behind the scenes can be found Osbourn High School graduate, Jimmy Conroy (co-technical director), Manassas City Public Schools music teacher Cathy Drummond (music director); and local lighting (Dan Martin, lighting designer) and sound (Kevin Miller, sound designer) professionals.

With a tradition of past excellent performances—"Godspell", "The Sound of Music," "Honk!", "Fiddler on the Roof," "Pippin," and ShowBizRadio's Summer 2007s Standout Performance, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat—the Theatre strives to provide professional-quality, family-friendly entertainment."

"Bring your 'shirt-tailed young ones' or your 'someone' or come alone, but don't miss this rousing, charming, nostalgic trip back to simpler times," said Rob Tessier, director/producer.

Other cast members include Karen Kelleher, John Myers, Gabe Duda, Shannon Wahler, Sarah Wykowski, Mary Wines, Nicole Kardaras, Diana DiCicco, Dominic Viera, Kelly Craige, Shannon Bartnick, Tommy Marshall, Sean Bartnick, Tommy Smith, Maria Zambrana,  Brian Dunleavy, Matt Golasweski, Danielle Lozano, Jennifer Holowecki, Mel Land, Ashley Towne, Caitlin Collins, Kelly Morrison, Bridget Mulhern, Neesha Karanth, Kirstin Kleb, Meg Slovenkay, Ani Lucas, Christian Taylor, Alex Taylor, Brennan Penders, Patrick Jacobeen, Michael Heller and The Rev. Father Thompson.

Others on the production team include Vickie Taylor as choreographer, Nichole Dalusung as assistant director, Robin Dalusung as production stage manager, Jay Wells as technical director and Jessica Mooney as costume director.

Members of the orchestra are Scott Glysson, Meredyth Stirling, Russell Lucas, Justin Christian, Mike Morch, Will Humphries, Jonathan Ferraro, Kathryn Dagley, Dave Russell, Rickey Drummond, Julie Holtzer, Melissa Gard, Donna Peck, Amanda Koman, Melanie Waddy, Helen Okalacisanyi, Joe Wahler, Brandon Kyker, Chris Carroll and Sarah Clements, assistant to the orchestra.

"You have fine family entertainment, right here in Manassas," said Tessier, who is ready to unveil his new musical and overseeing the play that has a cast, orchestra and production crew of more than 100 people.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.