The curtain hasn’t yet risen on “The Music Man,” but the production has already had its first ad lib.
“The Music Man” was scheduled to be performed at the CAB but due to roof damage sustained during last week’s rain storm, the production has been moved to the LDS Stake Center on 1301 N. Navajo.
But the cast has handled the interruption in stride, said “The Music Man” director Lynda Nolan. Nolan is also the high school and middle school choir director. She also directed last year’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
“When I told them about the CAB closing, I expected them to be upset by the interruption, but it hasn’t dampened their spirits at all. They’re still very excited to perform,” Nolan said.
“The Music Man” is the story of con-man Harold Hill, played by Parker Johnson, who convinces the townspeople of River City to start a band and buy their band supplies from him. But librarian Marian Paroo, played by Anna Kidman, suspects that Hill is a fraud.
The plot thickens when Hill develops feelings for Paroo.
Though technically a high school play, the 35-person ensemble also includes a dozen middle school kids.
Auditions were held in December and the cast started rehearsing in January. They’ve been rehearsing four days a week, two hours a day since then, and the hours have gotten longer during the last two weeks. A choreographer joined them in March to help them with the steps of the play’s three big dance scenes.
“The Music Man” has a very heavy male lead, said Nolan. In addition to large amounts of dialogue, the male lead also sings five songs by himself. Johnson had a small role in last year’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
“I have to hand it to Parker,” said Nolan. He’s done a fantastic job.”
Johnson also played on the high school soccer team, so the months when soccer practice and play rehearsal coincided were very busy for him.

When Johnson heard the news that the CAB had closed, his spirits sank, fearing that the play he’d worked so hard on might be cancelled.
“But all that changed when Mrs. Nolan told us she’d found a place,” he said. “And the sets look amazing there. It’s a smaller venue, but I like it. I think it will bring a more intimate feel.”
Johnson, a junior at Page High School, said he plans to go into psychiatry as a profession but also hopes to stay involved with community theater throughout his college career and beyond in whatever city he settles.
“I’m really happy it’s finally here,” he said. “I think the audience will be impressed by our performance.”
Nolan said her female lead, Anna Kidman, has also gone above and beyond.
“She’s the leader of the group,” said Nolan. “On days when Parker couldn’t be at rehearsal because he was at a soccer game, she stepped up and did his lines, too. The two of them are perfect examples of what a director wants in a lead.    
“In fact, my whole cast has done a great job learning their lines and steps. They’ve been a joy to work with.”
Kidman said her involvement in these musical productions is what she lives for.
“I just love musical theater so much,” she said.
Kidman, a sophomore at Page High School, plans to major in theater arts when she attends college and find a career in the field when she graduates. This is her second time playing the female lead; she also did it last year in “The Sound of Music.”
Kidman said she’s counting down the minutes until the curtain rises.
“After all the work, all the setbacks after the CAB closed, I’m so excited to perform,” she said. “It will be amazing!”
After the CAB closed last week, Nolan spent a couple frantic days looking for a location that would suits their needs.
“As with most high school productions, a good bit of the drama happens off the stage,” Nolan said with a laugh.  
She feels fortunate that the LDS church offered the use of their stage.
“Their building is the only building in town that will work with the way our stage needs to be set up,” said Nolan.
The lights, sound system and sets are still in the process of getting set up but it’s progressing quickly, said Nolan.
The soundboard and some of the sound system is traveling to Page thanks to Gilbert High School, where Nolan’s sister used to work.
The Page High tech class will still set up and operate the lights. Nolan’s husband is setting up the scaffolding to hold it.
“The Music Man” plays Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for adults.
Theatergoers can save a dollar by purchasing their tickets in advance from the high school bookstore.