Quincy Community Theatre announces 44-member cast for ‘The Music Man’ in July

QUINCY — Quincy Community Theatre recently announced the cast for its upcoming summer production of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man.”

“The Music Man” follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize – this, despite the fact he doesn’t know a bass drum from a pipe organ. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, the librarian, who sees through his scheme.

The main stage musical production is under the direction of Quincy Community Theatre artistic director Brandon Thomsen.

In a press release, Thomsen said, “2023 marks the 100th year of Quincy Community Theatre, and to celebrate this historic occasion, I selected a slate of shows that celebrate community. The Music Man is a story that shows us the impact that music can have on a community, bringing together people from different backgrounds and walks of life.”

The Music Man features a large, energetic cast of 44 performers, some of whom are making their QCT and/or stage debut. The cast of The Music Man is:

• Mark Hespen as Harold Hill
• Megan Peters as Marian Paroo
• Jeremy Kurfman as Marcellus Washburn
• Bill Stalder as Mayor George Shinn
• Doris Ann Malacarne as Eulalie Shinn
• Susan Disselhorst as Mrs. Paroo
• Beck Griffard as Winthrop Paroo
• Patrick Hedges as Jacey Squires
• David Samuels as Ewart Dunlop
• Spencer Boren as Oliver Hix
• Mike Drew as Olin Britt
• Jason Lewton as Charlie Cowell
• Andrew Krus as Tommy Djilas
• Randy Wolfmeyer as Constable Locke
• Evelyn Ginos as Amaryllis
• Zoey Griffin as Zaneeta Shinn
• Abby Twaddle as Gracie Shinn
• Laura Nash as Ethel Toffelmier
• Mindy Holthaus as Alma Hix
• Marci Keller as Maud Dunlop
• Catey Hellige as Mrs. Squires

Rounding out the cast are:

• Glenn Boettger
• Evan Conover
• Quinton Metcalf
• Dominic Regner
• Barrett Whitfield
• Max Miller
• Joey Engelmeyer
• Harrison Schmidt
• Gavin Ginos
• Thomas Keller
• William Zanger
• Blake Myers
• Asher Fleer
• Grace Hendrian
• Ruby Griffard
• Olivia Williams
• Cheyenne VanMeter
• Caleigh Twaddle
• Sullivan Holthaus
• Madison Daggett
• Lynda Keller
• Beth Izzo
• Peggy Ulm

The production team of The Music Man includes:

• Ruth Kummerow as stage manager
• Monica Scholz as music director
• Cheryl Kaiser as choreographer
• Clara Jean Kelly as costume designer
• Spencer Donovan as scenic designer
• Jay Trimble as sound designer
• Frank North as conductor
• Sue Allen and Susan Scholz as props coordinators
• Alex Ginos as deck chief
• Kaitlyn Beth as assistant stage manager

“Rehearsals have just started, but there are already so many smiles and laughs,” Thomsen said. “There is a wide age range throughout the cast and production team, yet there is a tremendous sense of encouragement and comradery, and that speaks to the nature of this show. ‘The Music Man’ is one of those musicals that brings out the best in people.”

Tickets for “The Music Man” start at $27 and go on sale Monday, June 26, at 10 a.m. QCT flex season ticket holders may reserve seats beginning Wednesday, June 7, at 10 a.m.

Performances are scheduled for July 20-22 and July 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. and July 23 and 30 at 2 p.m.. Seating is reserved.

An interactive Discovery Night for The Music Man will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 11 at QCT. The free event will give participants a view into the production process and culminate with a preview of a rehearsal. In addition, immediately following the Friday, July 28, performance, there will be a Q&A talkback session with the cast and crew.

The Sunday, July 30 performance will be signed by Jessica Lewis for the deaf and hard of hearing. Space is limited for this section and may only be reserved by contacting the box office in person or by phone.

For more information, visit 1qct.org or call the QCT box office in the Oakley-Lindsay Center at 217-222-3209.

“The Music Man” is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors and WGEM. QCT’s 2023 season is sponsored by Gardner Denver.