Stratford Festival Begins With Performances of The Music Man

The Stratford Festival begins tonight with performances of The Music Man.

Featuring a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey and book, music, and lyrics by Willson, The Music Man is described as follows: "A charming but fraudulent salesman arrives in River City to work his usual scam — only to find that a bill of goods can be the real deal. With melodies that include the rousing 'Seventy-Six Trombones,' this musical-comedy classic will delight the whole family." Donna Feore directs and choreographs the production.

Daren A. Herbert (Dreamgirls, Smallville) stars as Harold Hill alongside Danielle Wade (winner of CBC's Over the Rainbow) as Marion Paroo. The musical comedy will feature Denise Oucharek as Mrs. Paroo, Steve Ross as Mayor Shinn, Mark Uhre as Marcellus Washburn, and Blythe Wilson as Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn.

Completing the cast are Eric Abel, Gabriel Antonacci, Sean Arbuckle, Devon Michael Brown, Megan Caines, Mariah Campos, Colton Curtis, Christine Desjardins, Henry Firmston, Mark Harapiak, Bonnie Jordan, Heather Kosik, Bethany Kovarik, George Krissa, Monique Lund, Robert Markus, Lily McEvenue, Reid McTavish, Marcus Nance, Trevor Patt, Jennifer Rider-Shaw, Sayer Roberts, Genny Sermonia, Jason Sermonia and Kimberly-Ann Truong.

The production team features Franklin Brasz (music director), Michael Gianfrancesco (set design), Dana Osborne (costume design), Michael Walton (lighting design), Peter McBoyle (sound design), and John Stead (fight direction). Also featured is the work of associate choreographer Stephen Cota, associate fight director Anita Nittoly, assistant director Ann Baggley, and assistant choreographer Stephan Dickson. The stage management team includes Cynthia Toushan (stage manager), Krista Blackwood (assistant stage manager), Elizabeth McDermott (assistant stage manager), Gregory McLaughlin (assistant stage manager), and Meghan Callan (production stage manager).

Opening night is set for May 29 and performances continue through November 3.

For more information on The Music Man and the Stratford Festival season, click here.