The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music recently hosted a production of Meredith Willson’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy, The Music Man at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center. The performance featured students from the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company, accompanied by the USM Symphony Orchestra. The production included over 11 Dixie Darlings, 60 to 70 members of The Pride of Mississippi, a 30-piece orchestra, and a large cast of actors and singers.
The musical, co-directed by Dr. Mike Lopinto and Kassidy Chandler, with choreography by Delovitt Rogers and musical direction by Dr. Gregory Wolynec, told the story of fast-talking salesman Harold Hill. Played by Dr. Jonathan Yarrington, Hill arrives in River City, Iowa, intending to con the townspeople into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he never plans to form. However, his plans change when he falls for Marian Paroo, the town librarian, portrayed in a dual lead by Alicia Bell and Brynna Carpenter.
“The School of Music is uniquely able to supply all of the elements necessary to produce such lavish shows,” said Dr. Colin McKenzie, Director of the School of Music. “Pairing our incredible singers of the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company with the fantastic Symphony Orchestra is a unique opportunity that has brought our community award-winning productions for decades.”
Lopinto, the production’s director-producer, shared his perspective on the show’s message.
“I hope the audience saw how music can change people,” Lopinto said. “I think most of the students here have felt the impact of music on their lives so much that they are majoring in it. The Music Man is all about music coming in and completely changing the town, even without the music itself. The power of music and the power of creating your situation is what I think is really fascinating about this musical, and why it has endured for years.”
Bell, a doctoral student in her first semester of vocal performance who played Marian Paroo, reflected on her experience with the cast.
“I was thrilled to share this journey with an incredible cast,” she said.
Caitlyn Austin, a second-year clarinet performance major pursuing a master’s in music performance with a minor in music education, also spoke about the production.
“The cast has been phenomenal,” Austin said. “We were able to just come in and put it together on Sunday. It was a really great show, really fun, exciting, great for all ages.”
The School of Music continues its performance schedule tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Bennet Auditorium when its Symphony Orchestra Presents Elgar’s ‘Enigma.’
