Local talent shines in ‘The Music Man’ at TriArts

SHARON — “The Music Man,†the classic 1957 Broadway hit that was made into a film in 1962, will be performed at the TriArts Sharon Playhouse until Sunday, Aug. 23.

The musical is about traveling salesman Harold Hill, who cons the residents of River City, Iowa, into purchasing instruments and uniforms for a boys band Hill claims he is organizing.

In fact, Hill knows nothing about music and has plans to leave town with the money — but his plans are foiled when he falls in love with Marian, the librarian.

As always, this TriArts show features performances by local residents, including Lakeville’s David Bayersdorfer, who is a social studies teacher and former athletic diretor at Housatonic Valley Regional High School (he plays a farmer in this show).

“I started with TriArts in 1992 because, for years, I’ve told my students that they should take risks,†Bayersdorfer said. “I started off in ‘Damn Yankees’ and I’ve also been in ‘Kiss Me, Kate’ and ‘The Full Monty.’ In my civics class, I’ve been teaching about how community involvement is very important, and that’s what this play is all about.â€

Sharon resident David Cadwell, who operates the non-profit EMS Institute, is part of the chorus in this musical.

“I get to enjoy the play instead of just being a spectator,†Cadwell said. “I get to be onstage with some wonderful and talented people. And could you ask for a friendlier audience?â€

Duane Estes of Salisbury plays multiple roles in the musical, including the train conductor and a member of the chorus. Formerly the chaplain at the Salisbury School, he is retired now but still serves as an assistant varsity baseball and football coach there.

“Being an athlete and being an actor is sort of the same thing because you’re part of a team,†Estes said. “What’s different in acting is that you work with multiple generations. In a show like this you can have actors as young as six years old. You get to work with a variety of people toward a common goal: putting together a show that people can enjoy.â€

Emily Soell of Sharon plays a town gossip in the musical.

“I’m on the Board of Directors at TriArts and [Artistic Director Michael Berkeley] asked me to try out,†Soell said. “I’m not an actress, even though I was a speech and drama major in college. I am in advertising and marketing — which is pretty theatrical too. This is really an amazing ensemble. It’s so fun to impersonate people from a different era.â€

For more information about “The Music Man,†call TriArts at 860-364-7469 or go online to triarts.net.