Moonlight’s largest cast delivers in ‘The Music Man’

All the pomp and flourish of a parade are on full display as “The Music Man” marches onto the Moonlight Amphitheatre stage in Vista.

The enjoyable show — which can be seen through Aug. 1 — is filled with plenty of dancing, beautiful singing, a sprinkling of well-timed laughs and seasoned actors. It is the largest ensemble to grace Moonlight’s stage in 35 years, according to Artistic Director Steven Glaudini, who spoke before the curtain rose on Friday night.

In a nod to the show’s likely best-known song, “Seventy-Six Trombones,” there are 54 actors and 22 orchestra members, for an appropriate total of 76, Glaudini announced. This does not take into account the musicians from Vista and Rancho Buena Vista high schools who alternate in making a cameo appearance at the musical’s conclusion.

Broadway veterans David Engel and Alessa Neeck lead the cast as fast-talking salesman Harold Hill and librarian/piano teacher Marian Paroo, respectively. Both excel in their roles.

It is clear early on that Engel is well-suited to the role of the fast-talking con man as he ably and distinctly enunciates the potentially tongue-twistingly fast lyrics of “Ya Got Trouble” with ease. He appears just as comfortable in the role throughout the show, whether slickly evading school board members, who want to see his credentials, or wooing the resistant Marian, who distrusts him and his sales pitch for instruments and uniforms needed to form a boys’ band.

For those unfamiliar with the Tony Award-winning stage musical (its five Tonys won in 1958 included Best Musical) or the 1962 and 2003 film adaptations, “The Music Man” is about a con man presenting himself as Professor Harold Hill, who travels around the country forming boys’ bands after he sells the youths’ parents instruments and uniforms. Problem is that Hill cannot read music or play an instrument and skips town before the promised band forms.

In the early summer of 1912 he decides to give the fictional River City, Iowa, a try even though its residents are known for their stubbornness and initially give him the cold shoulder. He manages to quickly win over many of the townspeople, however, except for a few who distrust him — namely Mayor Shinn (Jim Chovick) — whose new pool table Hill proclaims is a threat to the town’s youth (and therefore reason to form a band to keep them out of trouble) — and Marian.

She soon learns that Hill’s credentials are not real, but after seeing her shy and unhappy little brother Winthrop (Elliot Weaver) liven up at the prospect of being in a band, decides to keep quiet. Question is, how long Hill can keep up the deception and will finding true love keep him from once again fleeing town?

Neeck is delightful as Marian and her voice shines in many numbers, including “Goodnight My Someone” and “My White Knight.” Neeck and Engel’s duet “Till There Was You” also deserves praise.

As for other noteworthy performances, 13-year-old Weaver does well in the role of brooding Winthrop and manages to surprise the audience with some unexpected moves at the end of “Gary, Indiana.” Bryan Banville, as Hill’s sidekick Marcellus Washburn, proves up for the task when leading the ensemble in the fast-paced “Shipoopi,” one of many well-danced and choreographed numbers.

The choreography by John Vaughan, who also directed the show, deserves special mention. Getting such a large cast of children, teens and adults on stage dancing together so smoothly could not have been an easy task, yet the show’s many complicated dance numbers looked like they were easy. In addition to “Shipoopi,” Act I’s “Marian the Librarian” deserves mention. These were high energy dances that included ensemble members in the background engaged in what was going on when not dancing themselves.

“The Music Man” can be seen at 8 p.m. on most nights through Aug. 1 at Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive in Vista. Tickets are $24 to $52, with family night, senior, military and student rush discounts available. Purchase at www.moonlightstage.com or 760-724-2110.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for picnicking at the outdoor venue. Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought into the theater. Refreshments are also available for purchase. Parking and shuttle are free. It is advisable to bring jackets or blankets since it can get chilly during the show.