'Music Man' has energy and excitement

THE MUSIC MAN; SCERA Shell Amphitheatre, 699 S. State, Orem; through Aug. 18; (225-2569). Running time: 2 hours, one 15-minute intermission.

OREM — Marian the librarian likes younger men in the SCERA Shell's version of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man."

Although she resists the advances of Harold Hill, the flim-flam man played by Dustin Parmley, by the second act he wins her over. But Parmley's youth and inexperience give the musical an energy and excitement unique to the show. The 24-year-old actor plays opposite Suzana Garrett, who is excellent in her role as the spinster librarian. Garrett, who graduated from Mountain View High school in 2004, behaves like the more mature Marian to Parmley's Hill. Her singing is solid and clear and includes such tunes as "Goodnight, My Someone," with her music student Amaryllis — played by Tara Stringham and Charlotte Harrison on alternate dates — and "My White Knight."

Of course, Marian the librarian has given up on love when Harold Hill steps off the train in River City, where he plans on scamming the townspeople with phony sales of band instruments and uniforms.

Toss in the antics of Justin Call, who plays Marcellus — Harold Hill's friend who is in on the scam — and the play takes on a vibrancy unusual for "The Music Man." It's a fun family presentation. Call's performance is outstanding, while Parmley gives energy and excitement to his "Trouble," "The Sadder-But-Wiser-Girl" and other song-and-dance numbers, although "76 Trombones" was a bit weak.

The play begins with a lively performance of salesmen on a train of "Rock Island" featuring Charlie Cowan, played by Eric Sparks. His character comes back at the end of the play to nearly doom Harold Hill.

Veteran director Jerry Elison works with a young cast including many children, most of whom are inexperienced. But what they can't do with precision in song and dance they accomplish with heart.

A barbershop quartet made up of Mike Ramsey, Shawn Lynn, Michael Young and Jacob Thomas blended well on several tunes, including "Sincere," "Goodnight Ladies," "It's You" and "Lida Rose." The quartet was put together just for the musical, said SCERA spokeswoman April Berlin.

The play is unusual, too, in that it uses part of the shell's hillside as its stage. The footbridge scene is set on the side of the hill and is effectively done with the exception of technical problems when Parmley's microphone cut out.

Conner Paulson plays Winthrop (double cast with Joseph Laudie on alternate dates), Marian's little brother and a key element.

A brass band at the end is made up of Orem High School and Mountain View bands wearing Orem High uniforms.

The musical in two acts is lively, entertaining and well worth the price of admission.

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com