Good Times
July 15-21, 2004

Man, What Music!
Powerful ‘Music Man´ commands Cabrillo Stage
By Christa Martin

Skip Epperson pulled it off with aplomb. Last Friday night he successfully took over as Cabrillo Stage´s new artistic director and impressed the audience with this summer´s hit family show, “The Music Man.” All eyes were on Epperson´s work to see if he could hold his own against Lile Cruse, who launched Cabrillo Stage 23 years ago, ushering in the area´s only Broadway-style musical theater. And Epperson did it, a job that admittedly was no easy task.

Epperson has served for many years with Cabrillo Stage, working in a variety of roles, most notably designing stellar sets year after year. When Cruse stepped down last year, Epperson was tapped to fill the lead role. And in this first show where he now serves as the puppet master, Epperson and his team made “The Music Man” another Cabrillo Stage winner. He has hit a high note with the production, and the audience on opening night was more than pleased with the sound of music coming out of the Cabrillo Theater.
Of course, accolades only begin with Epperson and must be dispersed across the stage. The creator of all things intimate and elaborate is director Tom McKenzie, who has constructed this old favorite into a new favorite, by throwing in whimsy and flair, romance and delight, music and dancing, Broadway and Aptos.

However, it must be acknowledged that this is no “West Side Story.” Rather this is pure G-rated family entertainment with, well, only one shady character at the front of the storyline—the music man himself, Harold Hill, played deliciously by James Patterson. The story is hokey at times, but by no means in a bad way. The production values overshadow the script´s dated moments—written by Meredith Wilson, the show debuted on Broadway in 1957, with Robert Preston at the helm; Preston also went on to star in the acclaimed 1962 film version.

The simple story takes place in the small town of River City, Iowa. Hill, a traveling “salesman” makes a stop and woos everyone from the tiny tots to the uptight librarian, Marian Paroo (Sheila Willey). His shtick? He´s there to get their children out of trouble by launching a band. One catch: The kids need to buy instruments and costumes. And Hill is going to make off with some hefty change in his pocket from deceiving this naïve bunch.

The acting for the most part is quite strong. Patterson does exactly what a Broadway professional like himself should do: He consistently delivers an honest performance, impressing us with his snappy vocals and a cheesy grin that belies his actual deceitfulness. As Hill´s love interest, Willey is a stunning vocalist, yet her dramatic skills aren´t quite as sharp. The rest of the ensemble infuse just the right amount of energy into the production.

Michael McGushin also steps into Cruse´s other Cabrillo shoes here as musical director. Like Epperson, he´s brilliant. The symphony is enticing, captivating the audience as its instruments sing to each other and, really, carry the entire show on its spine.
Also notable are the powerful, lush and colorful costumes of 1912, created by Maria Crush. Set design by William Strom is bold, believable and complete. And choreography by Geri Carlson Sauls ties it all together with numerous tight dance numbers; some that are only accompanied by music with no lyrics. It is those moments that the audience is especially lured in to simply sit and gawk.
The show does exactly what Epperson has said it would do: once again it brings the audience back to Cabrillo Theater, even when the economy is tight and budget cuts are tighter. It´s a family show for anyone with a little bit of a music man inside.

Cabrillo Stage´s production of “The Music Man,” plays until Aug. 15. Show times are at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Ticket prices vary from $18 to $29. For more information, call 479-6154 or visit www.cabrillostage.com. Cabrillo Stage is at 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos.