Preparing the the upcoming Maxinkuckee Players’ “Music Man” are, front row: Amanda Haack and Ryan Haack; back, from left: Jim Olivarius, Gregg Underwood, Charlie Weaver and Cecil (C.J.) Crownover. Pilot Photo/Jeff Kenney

By Rusty Nixon
Correspondent

CULVER — Professor Harold Hill has come to town to organize a boy band, but Marian the Librarian sees right through him.

The plot line of a con man who risks being caught for love is the basis of the Maxinkuckee Players upcoming production of Meredith Wilson’s popular musical “The Music Man” which opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Culver High School Auditorium, under the direction of Becky Liechty. Other performances are Sunday July 29 at 4 p.m., July 31 and Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 2 at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for opening night, then $8 for adults and $4 for children for all other performances. There is no reserved seating and tickets will be available at the door.

The play won numerous Tony Awards in its debut on Broadway in 1957, became a classic film in 1962 and since has seen many revivals as an American stage favorite.

Greg Underwood plays the role of Henry Hill, a quick talking, con man who comes to River City, Iowa hoping to make a quick score but falls in love instead. Underwood says he’s not quite sure how to interpret friends’ reaction to his role.

“They tell me this is the perfect role for me,” he says with a laugh. “I’m not quite sure how to take that.”

Underwood is no stranger to the stage having performed with bands and in his own show, but the experience with the Maxinkuckee Players has been eye opening.

“I have a real respect for stage players now,” he said. “Most of the stuff I’ve done before on stage is just off the cuff. This is the first time I’ve been in a scripted show and memorization has been a real experience.”

Kathy Overmyer is reprising her role of Marian the Librarian — who doubles as River City’s music teacher — for the show. It’s a role she undertook as a senior in high school and now at 24, has a new appreciation for.

“I’m closer to her (the character) age now and I have a much better idea what she’s like,” said Overmyer. “Plus I’m a music teacher.”

Young Hannah Boland will undertake the role of Amaryllis, one of Marian’s music students who happens to be have a crush on Marian’s young brother. It’s Boland’s first large role for the players though she’s no stranger to the stage.

“I’ve done dance and singing and I thought it would be great to try acting,” said Hannah. “I was in a Shakespearian play before and it was a lot of fun.”

Director Becky Liechty is glad to be bringing the classic musical to the stage in Culver.

“We look for shows that are family friendly and things that we feel we can cast with ease,” said Liechty. “Our audience is the most important thing. We want to be sure we give them a show they want to come and see.”

And every show has its challenges.

“The opening scene of the show, in the train station,” said Liechty. “It’s the most difficult scene in a musical that I’ve ever worked with.”

Other cast members:
Jim Oliverius, Kevin Mallory, Mike Overmyer, Brian Liechty, K.C. Dehning, Eric Burch, Andrea Mallory, Hannah Boland, Dan Adams, Judy Patton, Chloe Jacobson, Allie Harris, Debbie Jaquay, Vicky Shumowsky, Tracie O’Brien, Connie Overmyer, Nic Elizondo, Charlie Weaver, Ron Hodges, Jennie Carey, Pat Hoover, Emma Nellans, Deb Cook, Alex Jeffirs, Brianna Overmyer, C.J. Crownover, Tim Jeffirs, Amanda Petrucelli, Caleb Dehning, Angelina Jung, Julie Scott, Candice Dilts, Christina Klausing, Megan Senter, Steven Dilts, Tayler May, Kelsey Shaffer, Jessie Gibbs, Miranda Meek, Ty Shively, Amanda Haack, Haley Mills, Autumn Wilson, Ryan Haack, Tammy Monesmith-Bernth.
Musicians Betty Martens and Annette Osborn on keyboards, Ben Overmyer on drums.
Assistant directors are Dan Adams and Debbie Jaquay. Kathy Overmyer is director of music. Choreographers are Leanne Senter, Andrea Mallory and Miranda Meek.