Floris UMC: The Music Man

Floris UMC:  The Music Man

Floris United Methodist Church, Herndon, VA, August 9-11, 2012

Sadie Jones

Drove over in storm threatening skies to see the Floris UMC first full length musical only because I had read in the Centreview Mike Cash was playing the mayor. Loved Mr. Cash as the Scarecrow, Cogsworth, Grandpa Joe and Wilbur Turnblad in previous Alliance theatre productions and was not disappointed here. Actually saw quite a few TAT actors and familiar faces from 11 other local theaters. The director, Barbara Carpenter, used a well rounded adult cast to its full potential and polished the teens and children as bright as pennies.

Floris UMC has one of the longest stages in the area, allowing for seamless scene transitions from one side to the other. The set design, dressing and props were rivaled only by the costumes. Everything was top notch. The orchestra was a little loud for some of the younger voices to sing over as they played the old, well known tunes to a happy, swaying, toe tapping audience.

Newlyweds Ward and Katie Ferguson as Harold Hill and Marion Paroo, had us on the edge of our seats waiting to see what we knew would happen. Mike Cash and Laura Kelmelis as tongue tied Mayor George Shin and his involved wife Eulie had us laughing out loud. The squabbling School Board, Alex Bhargava, Ron Kronz, Jim Edwards, Jim Daily, transformed into a charming barbershop quartet right on key. John Totten was a wronged and righteously indignant Charlie Cowell.

The large cast acted not only during monologues and snappy conversations but also as they danced and sang, which is expected from a more established theatre group. It was a pleasant surprise for so young a company. Great choreography, staging, musical direction, hair and make up. It would take pages to describe in detail how good the production was and neither you nor I have time for that. So, I’ll only mention one more person.

Samuel Elliott played the shy, awkward Winthrop Paroo who comes out of his shell when Prof. Harold Hill brings the promise of a boy’s band to town. My theatre buddy, Cookie, is of the opinion this little boy stole the show. I disagree. But I will say he stole my heart.