The Music Man

Mayer Kaplan Jewish Community Center, 5050 Church St, Skokie, IL | Get Directions »
$12.00

Performances:
May 10: 7:00pm
May 13: Noon & 3:30pm
May 17: 7:00pm*
May 20: Noon & 3:30pm

Audiences won’t believe their eyes when Jewish Community Center (JCC) Chicago’s Young Actors Ensemble (YAE) brings to stage The Music Man, but that’s just fine; JCC theater manager Robert Bouwman definitely doesn’t want anyone taken in by all the pomp and circumstance.

“The Music Man demonstrates the power of Illusion and self-deception,” said Bouwman. He plans to use the set, costumes, and performances to highlight subtle concepts embedded in the popular play. Bouwman’s innovative approach lends the family-friendly play deeper meaning for older and more introspective audience members. “Our interpretation will translate sight into insight for the audience.”

The Music Man features traveling salesman Harold Hill, who fabricates a delinquency problem in River City, to convince the townspeople to invest in a boys’ band. Although the “Trouble” Hill intones is exaggerated and he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef, Hill’s charisma and the townspeople’s anticipation lead them to ignore suspicions and willingly embrace the fantasy. Even Marion, who initially refuses to be drawn in by Hill’s deception, ultimately supports Hill’s lies, because they have invigorated the town and Marion’s introverted brother, Winthrop. Hill, too, is captivated by his own delusion, becoming attached to the town and falling in love with Marion.

“Reality is inconvenient to the desire to believe,” said Bouwman. “The characters let Hill persuade them that they are seeing what they want to see, not what is really there.” Bouwman represents these illusions through sparse sets and glaringly absent props. For example, when Hill gives Winthrop his cornet case, they exclaim over the instrument’s beauty, but the audience will note the case is actually empty.

*On Thursday, May 17 at 6.15pm, join a discussion with musical educator Anita Silvert on Jewish Connections to The Music Man, free with ticket purchase to The Music Man.

Advance Tickets:
$12 /adults | $8 /children (7 and under)
Tickets at the door:
$15 /adults | $10 /children (7 and under)
Group Discounts available to groups of 10+.

To purchase tickets or get more information: please call 847.763.3518 or email tickets@gojcc.org.