Theater Preview:

Traveling con man no match for beautiful librarian in CTC's 'The Music Man'
By HOLLIE VINSON - The Buzz

Audrey Curd (as Marian Paroo, left), and Sam Ayres (Harold Hill) share a magic moment during a rehearsal for "The Music Man" at Chico Theater Company.(Jason Halley/The Buzz)

"The Music Man," a timeless, musical love story/comedy, will usher in 2006 at the Chico Theater Company on Friday.

Joe Garrow directs, choreographs and acts in this "lighthearted love story with wonderful music and wonderful characters."

The 1957 Meredith Wilson musical features two CTC veterans, Sam Ayres as the charlatan, Harold Hill, and Audrey Curd as the librarian, Marian Paroo.

Set in River City, Iowa in 1912, the plot involves "Professor" Harold Hill, a con man who convinces the citizens he can teach their children to play in a marching band -- after they purchase the band instruments he is peddling.

Before the instruments arrive, Hill plans to slip out of town. Garrow plays Marcellus, Hill's sidekick in this scheme. However, Hill runs into several problems that thwart his plan.

Things start to go awry when he disparages a business owned by Mayor Shinn (Gary Hibbs). Then, Marian discovers Hill is not what he purports to be and plans to expose him. But Marian withholds the evidence when she discovers Hill is helping her brother, Winthrope (William Fowler), with a speech problem.

Hill then falls in love with Marian and romance ensues.

Two of the musical's most memorable songs are "76 Trombones" and "Till There Was You."

"There is nothing better then a good march and heart-melting ballad," Garrow said, adding the story revolves around "this wonderful music, complete with a barbershop quartet, but the show is driven with these wonderful characters."

In all, there are some 35 cast members ranging in age from 8 to 63.

Learning the "tons of lines" required to portray Hill, the fast-talking salesman, was the most formidable task for Ayres.

"You don't have time to hesitate and think about them in the slightest as you're expected to drive the scene on," said the 22-year-old actor.

Ayres considers theater only a hobby.

"It's something that I really love doing. It would take most of the enjoyment out of it if it was something I was required to do," he said.

Even with this disclaimer -- and perhaps running his own con -- Ayres has a long history in theater and specifically with the CTC. Ayres majors in communication design with an option in media arts at Chico State University. He appeared in CTC's opening show, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."

"That just set the hook," he said. "After that I participated in six more of CTC's first-season shows."

He recalled playing Geoffrey in "Steppin' Out, the Musical" was his first "really significant lead."

"The Music Man" is Ayres' first show with CTC since his return from studying abroad in Ireland for a year.

"It's a blessing to have a show where I can really show what I'm made of and strut my stuff," he said.

Sharing the spotlight with Ayres in "The Music Man" is Curd, 15, a student at Chico High School.

Although one of the youngest cast members, Curd is no stranger to the CTC stage. She has performed in the chorus of "The Boyfriend," and had roles in "Beyond Karaoke" and in "East Baltimore Street."

Contrary to Ayres, Curd considers theater a "passion," and is also involved in opera, Christian pop and "all types of music."

For Curd, the most challenging part of playing the librarian who exposes the music man's con is "learning and understanding the background, and all the little characterizations" of Marian.

The young performer considers the best parts of "The Music Man" to be the big chorus dance numbers of "Marian the Librarian," "Shipoopi" and "76 Trombones."

"The audience will be well entertained by all the beautiful voices, comedic characters and fun dance steps in this classic show," promised Garrow.

Chico Theater Company presents "The Music Man" at the playhouse, 166 Eaton Road. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, then Thursdays to Saturdays through Feb. 4, with 2 p.m. performances Jan. 22 and 29. Tickets, $15-$22 ($2 discount for seniors and students), are available at the box office (noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday), by calling 894-3282 or visiting www.chicotheatercompany.com. Add $2 at the door. All seats $15 on Thursdays.