Students ready for Music Man

Brooks Crossing musical to open April 14.

By: Melissa Hayes
   The students have been working since December and the set is done.
   All that’s left now is a few more practices and a dress rehearsal before Brooks Crossing’s spring musical "The Music Man Jr." opens April 14 and 15.
   The hour-long play, an adaptation based on the 1957 Broadway production, begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for students and $5 for adults.
   Six fifth-graders have the major roles and share the spotlight with 70 fourth-and fifth-graders, who have been practicing since December.
   Frankie Troncoso plays the Music Man, Professor Harold Hill, the traveling salesman who arrives in River City with a plan to con the town. Frankie said his character sells musical instruments to the townspeople and promises to teach their children how to play in a boys’ band. One of the other characters — librarian Mariam Paroo — finds out he’s a fraud.
   "I have to like her so she won’t blab and tell everyone I’m a fraud," Frankie said.
   Scott Coombs plays Winthrop, Mariam Paroo’s younger brother. Talia Tagno plays the siblings’ mother, Mrs. Paroo.
   "I’m Mariam and Winthrop’s mother," Talia says. "My son has a lisp and he’s really shy. I think it would be just so great for Winthrop to be in the band."
   Scott notes that his character, Winthrop "doesn’t want to be bothered because his father died." "Mrs. Paroo talks with Prof. Hill and gets me into the band."
   The students aren’t worried about the performance, in fact for many of them this is their second appearance in a school musical.
   Timmy Monticchao and Sarah Pawlak play the parts of Mayor Shinn and his wife, Eulalie Shinn.
   Timmy said he’s a seasoned veteran, while this is Sarah’s first time with a major role.
   "Last year I had a really tiny role and this year I have a bigger role. I only had one line last year," Sarah said.
   Talia isn’t worried about acting because she has taken part in several school and community performances, but she is a little worried about her singing.
   "I just get nervous with the singing solos," she said.
   Scott shared her fear.
   "I’m not really nervous. I’ve been in a lot of plays, so I’m pretty good. I’m nervous because I have to sing a long song," he said.
   Jared Green, who plays Professor Hill’s friend Marcellus Washburn, rounds out the lead cast.