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Triumphant 'Music Man' parades into ROH in Oct.

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Marian Paroo will be played by Anna Richardson and Harold Hill by Michael Coppola in next month's production of 'The Music Man' at ROH. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Opera House is excited to showcase Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" this October.

Directed by Kelli Leigh-Ann Connors with music direction by Timothy Allen, "The Music Man" opens Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Nov. 15 at 2 p.m.
Oh there's trouble in River City when the fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill, played by Michael Coppola, gets his heart stolen by the town librarian Marian Paroo, played by Anna Richardson. The musical follows Harold as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize and lead - despite the fact that he doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled as he falls for Marian who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain fall.

By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, "The Music Man" is a family friendly story that has entertained audiences since 1957. This six-time Tony-Award winning comedy and critically acclaimed Broadway classic is an all-American institution, thanks to its quirky characters, charmingly predictable dramatic situations, and a one-of-a-kind, nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets and sentimental ballads including Ya Got Trouble, Till There Was You, Seventy-six Trombones and Good Night My Someone.

Connors promises "Fabulous music, energetic dance numbers and an engaging story that will excite audiences of all ages." She goes on to add, "In our fast paced world of technology, it is comforting to go back to simpler times of apple pie and an iced tea on the porch swing. This image encapsulates the people of River City, Iowa, before Harold Hill, The Music Man, transforms the town." This is the second time Connors has "had the pleasure of directing this charming musical that is a slice of Americana at its best."

Michael Coppola explains his earliest memory of the show: "The Music Man was the first full-fledged musical that I saw. It was a travelling company that came to my high school and I saw it with my mother and Grandmother, ever since it has been my favorite musical."

Coppola has acted in theaters across the state but this is his debut on the ROH stage "I am so excited to be performing at the Rochester Opera House for the first time." says Coppola, adding that this is not his first time in the role of Harold, "I have had the pleasure of performing the role of Harold Hill before and jump at any chance to audition for it." explains Coppola.

When asked about choosing The Music Man for the fall 2015 Season at ROH: "It's perfect!" exclaims ROH Producing Director, Anthony Ejarque. "It has universal themes, great music, lots of kids. It's a great American musical!" and he adds "We have some extraordinary talent coming from Boston for this show- in addition to our great local actors."

Ejarque is most looking forward to opening night, "It's a real process putting all the pieces of a musical together," and with Coppola adding "ROH is a beautiful venue and lends itself to the charm and nostalgia that The Music Man brings to its audiences."

Reserve tickets at RochesterOperaHouse.com or call/stop by the box office (603) 335-1992, M/W/F from 10am to 5pm and two hours before the show. Cash bar, under age 18 must be accompanied by legal guardian. This show is sponsored by TD Bank, Eastern Propane & Oil, Shaheen & Gordan, PA, Norm Vetter, Inc., Seacoast Media Group, Albany International, Waste Management, The Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, and Charter Trust Company. Rochester Opera House is located in City Hall, 31 Wakefield Street, Rochester NH. The season continues with Rocky Horror Picture Show Oct. 28-31 and AC/DC Tribute: Dirty Deeds Nov. 14.

The Music Man is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 Fax: (212) 397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

Tickets: Limited Seating Available $22 Premium/$18/$12 age 12 and under.

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