by Jaclyn Loewenstein
Exactly two months ago, my family and I were packing our minivan in Austin, Texas, preparing to move to Champaign. Today, my two daughters and I are packing up our stage makeup, tights and hair curlers, preparing to move into the Parkland Theatre!
We auditioned for “The Music Man” the day after we arrived in Champaign, and for the past eight weeks we’ve been rehearsing four nights a week alongside Champaign Urbana Theatre Company’s incredibly talented cast. My daughter Alina, 7, happens to be the youngest cast member. She and her sister Emma, 10, portray my children in the show, and we are all stubborn townspeople of River City, Iowa, in 1912.
We’ve also been assigned a brother and father to round out our “stage family” (Ethan Smith, 11, and John Tilford). Getting to know these actors and learning to interact as if we were a real old-fashioned family has kept us on our toes during the rehearsal process. There is plenty of room for improvisation as we react to the events of the play, and this keeps things interesting and just a little bit different each night.
And, of course, the musical numbers are so much fun to sing, especially “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Wells Fargo Wagon,” “Trouble,” and the favorite of most kids, “Shipoopi.” As a “Pick-a-Little” lady, I also get to perform in the well-known and very silly “Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little” song.
For those who aren’t familiar with “The Music Man,” it is the story of fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill, who cons the people of River City into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize.
As with most musicals, there is bit of romance involved, too, so when deciding whether to bring young children, be sure they’ll be up for a few classic Broadway love songs (“Goodnight, My Someone,” “Til There Was You,” “My White Night”).
Audiences who have attended previous CUTC or Champaign Park District productions may recognize some of the other talented 8 to 13 year olds in the cast: Wendy Walter, Kyle Klein, Wyatt and Annie Taber, Madi Atkinson, Maeve Murphy, Maya Langerstam, Sydney Reilly-Treat and Ryan Gossett.
What: Champaign Urbana Theatre Company presents “The Music Man.”
When: Aug. 4-7 and Aug. 11-14. Thursday to Saturday: 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Parkland College Theatre, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign
Ticket Info: Tickets are $8 for children, $12 for students & seniors, $16 for adults. Buy tickets online at www.cutc.org or call 344-3884.
Recommended for: Ages 7 through adult
Running time: A little under 2.5 hours, including intermission
Jaclyn Loewenstein grew up in Skokie. She holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from Illinois State University and has directed and taught acting to students of all ages in Chicago, New York City and Austin, Texas. Her husband, Jeff, is a professor in the University of Illinois’ business management department.