Children's adaptation of Broadway classic sure to please

Contact: Laura Hancock | University Advancement | lhancock@eou.edu
Source: John Winn | Director, The Community School of the Arts | csa@eou.edu

"The Music Man Junior" opens
Thursday, Aug. 24 in McKenzie
Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, August 21, 2006
LA GRANDE, Oregon – A delightful children’s rendition of the Broadway classic, "The Music Man," opens Thursday, August 24 at Eastern Oregon University. “The Music Man Junior,” presented by Theatre in the Ronde, will play in McKenzie Theatre nightly at 7:30 through August 26 with a special Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. 

The American musical classic follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill, played by Nathan Winn, 14, and his visit to River City, Iowa. There he meets and falls in love with the willful spinster librarian, Marian Paroo, played by Courtney O'Brien, also 14. With his word-a-second style, “Professor” Harold Hill convinces the town to adopt his revolutionary music program, “The Think System,” or face the moral decline of the youngsters of River City. Chaos ensues as Hill’s credentials are questioned and he is forced to prove himself to the citizens of River City.

“The Music Man Junior” features starring roles for a young male and female performer, and is rich with great roles for actors at every level. The show features more than 24 speaking roles, which are filled by actors ranging in age from five to 15.

The show is under the direction of Jennifer Anne Romriell, a junior transfer student. She is studying performance, directing and costume design at EOU. In addition to her experience on stage, she has worked as a counselor at Treasure Valley Community College’s MADCamp, a music, art and drama program for children. Romriell has appeared in several EOU theater productions including "Hole In the Sky,” "Nunsense,” and other various roles in "Wit," and more recently "Fiddler On the Roof.” She has been recognized by the American College Theater Festival, garnering an Irene Ryan nomination for her work in "Nunsense” and hair and make-up commendations for "Hole In the Sky" and "Our Town.”

Assisting with the summer production are Jennifer Sasser, Denise Wheeler, Maureen O'Brien, Kenn Wheeler, Katie Davis, the EOU theater set tech class and numerous volunteers from the community. 

Theatre in the Ronde, sponsored by The Community School of the Arts at EOU, is in its third season and provides shows for actors and actresses of all ages to participate in.  Past performances include, "NunSense,” "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” "Deadwood Dick or the Game of Gold,” and "The Fantasticks.”

The Community School of the Arts at EOU is an outreach of the College of Arts and Sciences and is dedicated to providing quality educational, performance and listening opportunities for people of all ages in the community. 

Tickets for summer performances are available at Sunflower Books and online at www.eou.edu/csa.  For more information on this show or any of the programs offered by The Community School of the Arts please call 962-3629 or e-mail us at csa@eou.edu.