‘M eredith Willson’s The Music
Man,” a concert version of the classic Tony Award-winning musical about big brass bands and smalltown spirit, will be performed by an African-American cast in Red Bank and Newark this month. The River City, Iowa, setting will be based on historical accounts of black communities established during the Great Migration as former slaves moved across the U.S. following the Civil War.
Six performances at Two River Theater in Red Bank will run from March 13-16 and four performances at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark will run from March 21-23.
Isaiah Johnson will play Harold Hill and Stephanie Umoh will play Marian Paroo.
Also featured in the cast are Kevin Boseman as Winthrop; Lawrence Clayton as Mayor Shinn; Bernard Dotson as Charlie Cowell; Kevin R. Free as Marcellus; Trent Armand Kendall as Olin Britt; Destinee Rea as Amaryllis; Myra Lucretia Taylor as Mrs. Paroo; Aurelia Williams as Ethel Toffelmier; and NaTasha Yvette Williams as Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn.
The creative team includes scenic designer Craig Napoliello; costume designer Dede Ayite; lighting designer Alex Jainchill; sound designer Lindsay Jones; and associate sound designer Jake Zerrer. The casting is by Cindy Tolan and Adam Caldwell, and the stage manager is David Apichell.
Performances in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater are March 13 at 8 p.m.; March 14 at 8 p.m.; March 15 at 3 and 8 p.m.; and March 16 at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets starting at $20 are available from 732-345-1400 or www.tworivertheater.org. Tickets at $20 may have partial view.
Performances in New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Victoria Theater take place March 21 at 8 p.m.; March 22 at 3 and 8 p.m.; and March 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $59.50 and $69.50, and can be purchased at www.njpac.org, by calling 1-888-GONJPAC or by visiting the box office at One Center Street in Downtown Newark.