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Dinner Theatre Shows 1968-2001

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The Music Man 1971

This production opened on July 8, 1971.

Production Staff:
Director – David Harper
Musical Conductor – Ramsey Meredith
Set Design – Chris Finn
Costume Design & Execution – Sharman Harper/Stephenson
Choreographer – Diane Benson
 
Otts Laupus
 
Cast:
Traveling Salesmen – Charlie Cowell, Richard Marron
Harold Hill – Otts Laupus
Mayor Shinn – Stan Weisman
Ewart Dunlop – Gene Jackson
Oliver Hix – Jack Morris
Jacey Squires – Mel Downs
Olin Britt – Pat Varre
Marcellus Washburn – Rick Wade
Tommy Djilas – Joe Leon
Marian Paroo – Elizabeth Kirkpatrick
Alternate – Ann Ault
Amaryllis – Francine Joyce
Winthrop Paroo – Patrick Collins
Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn – Bea Saks
Zaneeta Shinn – Cathy Graham
Gracie Shinn – Charlene Smith
Alma Hix – Doris Mednick
Maud Dunlop – Rita Peterson
Ethel Toffelmier – Diane Benson
Mrs. Squires – Loretta Smith
Constable Locke – Jim Middleton
Dancers – Joe Moore, Robin O’Dwyer, Jean Modesitt, Ron O’Dwyer
Townspeople of River City – Vachik Mangassarian, Dianne Miller, Judi Jackson, Jared Matesky, Cheryl Smith
 
Alternates:
Harold Hill – John Kinnamon
Eulalie & Mrs. Paroo – Betty Morgan
Winthrop Paroo – Matthew Cauley
Ewart Dunlop – Dick Bentz
Alma Hix – Donna Gosnell
Dancer – Steve Sigel
Dancer – Myra Straus
Dancer – Susan Bowser

 

Data for this production was provided by Francine Joyce.

Music Man 1971

 

(L-R) Francine Joyce, Otts Laupus, Patrick Collins

 

A note from Arthur “Otts” Laupus:

My first show at Burn Brae was Music Man in 1971, after spending the previous year at Wayne State University on a theatre fellowship with the Hilberry Repertory Company. I didn’t do well there, scoring such roles as “Marcellus” in Hamlet, where I had to say “What ho, my Lord” at least seventeen times and “Peaseblossom” in Midsummer Nights Dream where I played a flower. I also played the Sixth Citizen in Julius Caesar, the highlight of my year there. 

My wonderful friend Bea Saks (who played Mrs. Shinn) recommended that I audition at Burn Brae for “Harold Hill” in Music Man. I found my place thanks to John Kinnamon, and have performed the show three times at Burn Brae.

John called recently and wants me to do one more production of Music Man, contingent upon ongoing contract negotiations with Betty White to play Marian.

John, I’m available.
– Otts Laupus

 

A note from Sharman Harper/Stephenson:

I costumed this show, then went to Dallas to do Stop the World… for K&L. My first night back to watch the show, Elizabeth had lost her voice, Ann was doing something out of town and Bernie asked ME to go on! I had never done the role, but had been to most of the rehearsals and knew the music. Otts and I had 30 minutes to run lines for the first act and intermission to run the second act! This was the first but not nearly the last time I would go on in a show on minimal notice! Bless Otts and the rest of the cast for getting me through it!

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