‘Music Man’ looks great, needs a few tweaks

What does it take for us to believe?

That’s the fundamental question asked in “The Music Man,” the American musical theater classic that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Professor Harold Hill apparently has the answer to that question figured out. You just need a good sales pitch.

Not only can the traveling salesman/conman convince River City, Iowa, that it needs a band – and all the expensive things required for a band – he also can convince the skeptical Marian (the librarian) that he’s right for her heart, as well.

Meredith Willson’s musical, directed by John Staniunas, opened Friday at University Theatre at Kansas University, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration for Murphy Hall, which houses the department of music and dance.

Visually, the production was stunning. The period costumes didn’t draw attention to themselves, and the stage “drops” set the scene perfectly – especially the amazing perspective to make it feel like you were looking down River City’s main street. A drop toward the front of the stage was utilized perfectly to allow scene changes behind it, leading to a seamless performance with no delays between scenes – almost magically.

Theatrically, there were a few signs that it was opening night. Jeff Sears, playing Harold Hill, said/sang all his words during the mouthful of a song that is “Ya Got Trouble,” but the song lacked a certain amount of schmaltz. He also flubbed a lyric in “76 Trombones” and wasn’t perfectly in sync with the orchestra. He often seemed just a half step away from being totally comfortable on stage. There’s no doubt his confidence will improve with upcoming performances – his singing voice certainly is worthy of the lead role.

Andi Porter, who plays Marian, has a beautiful singing voice that seemed to be betrayed by the theater’s sound system in her upper ranges. (Overall, there were several moments when microphones didn’t pick up sound or distorted singing voices, or unamplified actors were difficult to hear.) But Porter persevered, turning in especially good performances in “Goodnight My Someone” and “Till There Was You.”

Both of the leads – and the ensemble on stage – hit their stride on “Marian the Librarian.” This was the best-choreographed scene in the musical, with Harold in his playful courtship of Marian.

The children in the cast performed very respectable roles, and each seemed to have a bright future on the stage. Of particular note is Jayke Workman, who played Winthrop Paroo during Friday’s performance. His singing in “Gary, Indiana” was spot on, even balancing good singing technique with the use of Winthrop’s lisp.

Two other performances of note: The barbershop quartet always provided brilliant (if non sequitur) musical moments, and the ladies who sang “Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little” had their parts – both musically and theatrically – down to an annoying pat.

Backing up all of this – and starring during the overtures – was the KU Symphony Orchestra, sounding solid under first-year director David Neely.

The production continues with shows at 7:30 tonight, Thursday, Friday and Nov. 17. Tickets are available at www.kutheatre.com and by calling 864-3982.