‘The Music Man’ is special for Tulare’s Encore Theatre cast

Being in the cast has special meaning for a number of those in the "The Music Man" that opens at Encore Theatre in Tulare on Dec. 6.

It was the musical that first sparked their interest in being on stage.

"I wanted to do this show more than anything," said Jennifer Masters, who plays Mrs. Paroo. "It's the show that turned me on to theater."

"This is a dream role for me," said Michael Newman, who plays the Music Man himself, Harold Hill. "I watched it all the time growing up."

"I love the show," said Gloriann Arnett, who plays Marian Paroo. "It's very special because my mom sang one of the songs, 'Till There Was You,' to me as a lullaby, so I've always known it."

"My dad and brother were in the Encore production of 'The Music Man' in 1980," said Summer Grissom, who is in the show with her husband and son. "We got the call that we all had name roles on his birthday, so that was special for us."

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Iconic musical

The iconic musical about a con man who is won over and reformed by the prim lady librarian in a little Iowa town is a favorite of the cast, several who have been in past "Music Man' productions.

The show has foot-tapping music ("76 Trombones," "Ya Got Trouble," "Pick a Little, Talk a Little"), great costumes and a heart-rending finale.

"Marian is very uptight. She's not the standard woman of that era who needs a man," Arnett said. "She knows what Harold is, but then she sees what he has done for the town."

Newman adds, "Harold Hill sees something different in Marian. And she sees things he's brought about that even he doesn't realize."

His con actions end up reforming the town ruffian. Little Winthrop comes out of his shell. The always-fighting school board members begin harmonizing together.

Getting in character

It's not easy putting on a big show like this—especially on the tiny Encore stage, but director Susan Burley knew just how it could work, and has put together a cast and crew that makes it happen.

For Newman, it's a matter of managing all the words for Harold Hill's fast-talking songs.

"I don't think I've ever had to work so hard on a show before," he said.

An important story line is Winthrop's lisp. It's the reason he is withdrawn and won't talk to anyone. Camden Grissom already had a slight lisp with his th's. But for the show, he had to develop a lisp with his s's.

"It's been quite a task," said his mom, Summer Grissom. "Michael and Gloriann have been so good with him. They told him he could spit his s's all over them."

Summer and Camden are seasoned theater people, but for the first time, Summer's husband Michael is also in the show, playing the blustery Mayor Shinn. Having coached football for 25 years, playing Major Shinn seems to come natural to him.

"It's been interesting to watch him come into his own," said Summer. "I've never seen him like this before."

Stages reunion

Burley wanted this show to be a reunion for Encore's youth program, Stages, now celebrating 23 years. She writes a reunion show for them every five years, but for this show she purposely chose a musical that includes all ages so anyone who has ever been in Stages could participate.

There's a real camaraderie among all those who have been part of Stages over the years—even if they weren't in the program at the same time.

"It's been really cool to work together. We all have the same feeling for the program," said Arnett, who is now the Stages vocal director.

"I started in Stages when I was 7. Now my little girl is 7, and this is her third show," said Fonseca, who is the current choreographer for Stages. "My 4-and-a-half-year-old can't wait to get into it."

Luke Mendes started participating in Stages in the 5thgrade and was immediately hooked on theater. Now that he's in college, he's studying to become a drama teacher.

Perhaps Karen Golden, who plays Zaneeta Shinn, sums it up the best.

"Being in Stages is like a community. It's where people go to fit in and be themselves and participate in theater."

Golden is home schooled and says the Encore theater is where she spends much of her time, even if she's not in a show.

"This is like a perfect little home. It's like you're sitting in your living room with your family."

How to attend

• What:"The Music Man"

• When:Runs Dec. 6-21

• Where:Encore Theatre, 324 South N St., Tulare

• Information:(559) 686-1300 or www.encoretulare.org

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: 'The Music Man' special for Encore Theatre cast; here's how to see it