Guest Column: Music Man Continues This Weekend

By Bob Frank
President, Reisterstown Theatre Project 

River City, Iowa, arrived by train in Reisterstown last weekend as the Music Man train pulled into Franklin Middle School. Reisterstown Theatre Project’s production played to full houses all three days and was standing room only on Sunday, March 3.

The production, directed by Reisterstown resident Bob Frank, featured several moving set pieces and a large, talented cast. Ken Kemp stars as Harold Hill with local resident Kelly Rardon as his leading lady, Marion Paroo.

Local youngster Logan Dubel (a veteran RTP performer) is delightful as Winthrop Paroo. He is joined on stage by another veteran RTP actor, Tim Evans, who is a scowling, tongue-tied Mayor Shined.

The show is two-and-a-half hours of pure Americana filled with songs, dancing and a number of surprising sets. Last weekend’s audience, whether under age 7 or older than 77, was enthralled.

Director Bob Frank attributes the show’s success to a fantastic team, top to bottom. The artistic team worked long and hard to bring together a wonderful cast on stage. The sets compliment the cast and transform the theater into River City, Iowa, 1912 (in a Franklin Middle School building which has been wonderfully updated over the years but parts of which were standing in 1912). Frank went on to note that the production team led by Sharon Carr (whose daughter is adorable as Amaryllis) and June Frank have worked incredibly hard to make sure that the audience’s enjoyment starts the moment they enter the lobby.

Five more shows are left in the run. Times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (through March 16) and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. Arrive early to get a good seat.