Theater is a full contact sport. It demands much and unsparingly. Musical theater … even more so.
Add to this mix performers who are 18 years old or younger and theater becomes a miracle unfolding. It’s one of the few areas where improving individual talent and striving for a greater good are both demanded and delicately balanced.
From initial audition past closing the curtains, musical theater calls forth much from those participating.
That’s because it develops empathy, improves shared community, inspires excellence and requires commitments of physical stamina.
At the same time, it encourages individuality, balances personal striving with group effort and hones talent, skills and technique, all while incorporating dancing, singing, comedy, improv, presence, and acting.
This is exactly what CYT’s group of young performers deliver.
It is rare for youth theater to achieve either technical performance excellence or community excellence. This one hits both.
CYT’s Music Man Jr. is pure magic – a winning combination of youthful talent, individual excellence and a troupe clearly bonded by supporting each other guided by a talented directing team.
Music Man Jr. is a classic redemption story filled with grace and the power of love – both romantic love and love in service of others.
In a nutshell … Harold Hill, a fast-talking traveling salesman not used to connecting with fellow human beings, arrives in River City, Iowa, to see if he can persuade the uptight town to fall prey to his latest money-making adventure – starting a youth marching band. He convinces locals that the new pool table is nothing but trouble, and the only way to save their children is by purchasing uniforms and instruments so they can join his band. The catch? He doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef, and plans to flee with the cash. His scheme is threatened when the beautiful Marian, the town’s piano teacher, sees through his lies to the man he is inside and forces him to face a difficult decision about skipping town and ditching the very kids who have come to depend on him for one of the rarest commodities out there – hope.
The CYT directing team of Ben OIson (Lead Director), Jeanne Olsen (Assistant Director), Melissa Gorr (Vocal Director), Rachel Iler (Choreographer) and Angela Corn (Production Coordinator), put together an incredible musical marrying performance excellence and an engaging community dynamic.
Performances are November 2-4th near Kenosha, Wisconsin at:
Wilmot High School PAC
11112 308th Avenue,
Wilmot, WI 53192.
CYT develops character and creativity in kids of all ages through quality theater arts training that brings families and communities together while reflecting its commitment to living Christian principles.
CYT Chicago is entering its 22nd year as the Midwest’s largest children’s theater organization serving over 6,000 students annually in 10 counties across Northern IL and Southeastern WI.
Music Man, Jr. has a talented cast of Leading Roles played by: Nathan Walla, Brianna Fisher, Sarah Graham, Cayden Corn, Cayden Loveless, Kevin Hessenthaler, Emma Schlagenhaft, Mia Olsen, and Samara Gorman, joined by Eleanor Cooley, Viktor Lemke, Kye Rieckhoff, Brian Gonzales, and Grace Henningfield.
Various musical and dance numbers are performed by: SCHOOL BOARD/QUARTET: Grant Noble, Richard Baxter Brown, Cameron Corn and Elijah Roanhaus. PICK-A-LITTLE LADIES: Alivia Smith, Katie Sullivan, Carly Mikula, Mariana Moore, Sophia Schmidt, Marie Tyree, Karenna Schick, Lauren Cox, Caitlin Cannon. JUNIOR PICK-A-LITTLES: Samara Gorman, Callie Hubing, Cali Loveless. TRAVELING SALESMEN/NEWSPAPERMEN: Seth Olsen, Cameron Corn, Grant Noble, Elijah Roanhaus, Richard Baxter Brown, Viktor Lemke, AJ Grigg, Brian Gonzales, Corbin Palmer. FEATURED TEEN DANCERS: Esther Brown, Emma Bruce, Julia Bruce, Kate Goodwill, AJ Grigg, Ariana Hubing, Madeline Moore, Rebecca Walla and Grace Wienke. FEATURED KID DANCERS: Caedmon Brown, Corinne Cannon, Samara Gorman, Lylah Grigg, Katie Highley, Cali Loveless and Ariana Sarenac. WELLS FARGO SOLOISTS: Kevin Hessenthaler, Grace Henningfield, Viktor Lemke, Seth Olsen, Marie Tyree, Carly Mikula, Alivia Smith, Cayden Loveless, Madeline Moore, Sarah Graham and Esther Brown. WELLS FARGO DRIVER –AJ Grigg. IOWA STUBBORN SOLOISTS: Richard Baxter Brown, Carly Mikula and Elijah Roanhaus. WAN TAN YE GIRLS/FLAG GIRLS: Anna Charbonneau, Meadow Clouse, Lauren Dahlberg, Katherine Egan, Anna Estell, Lylah Grigg, Evelyn Oldham, Olivia Peter, Laney Pumala, Heidi Rathmann, Ariana Sarenac, Sidney Stried and Lily Troyer. RIVER CITY BAND: Caedmon Brown, Colton Brydun, Claire Cannon, Corrine Cannon, Molly Granahan, AJ Grigg, Katie Highley, Grace Lasch, Naomi Little, Corbin Palmer, Mary Catherine Slagle, Evangelina Stuebner, and Rebecca Susmilch. WOMEN’S SOCIAL COMMITTEE: Sarah Dunlap, Grace Henningfield, Sarah Jung, Maria Lemke, Bailey Millimaki, Rachel Schmitt and Meredith Sullivan.
For tickets and info., go to: https://www.cytchicago.org/shows/The-Music-Man-Jr/11