I Never Heard It at All Till There Was Opening Night!

 

Back in November, I left The Music Man audition convinced I’d given a performance worthy of being blackballed from community theatre for life (yes, I’m dramatic). And yet, here we are—it's May 2nd, it's opening night, and not only am I performing in the show, but I'm doing it alongside my always lovely and talented family. 

I have the pleasure (and chaotic joy) of playing the bumbling, pompous, and not-as-smart-as-he-thinks-he-is Mayor Shinn. While I like to think I’m very different from the character, I’ve completely fallen in love with playing him. In fact, this might be one of my all-time favorite roles—though, granted, the list isn’t huge since I've only been doing theatre for a few years. 

Our family has made some wonderful new connections during this production. Community on Stage has expanded our already-beloved theatre family. Everyone involved has been so inviting, encouraging, hilarious, hard-working, kind—and incredibly talented. We've thrown our hearts and souls into this show, and I’m confident that will shine through during our eight-show run. 

If you’ve never seen The Music Man, it’s a golden-age classic for a reason. The dance numbers will enchant you, the music will stick in your head for days, and the performances will make you laugh, cheer (quietly, please), and maybe even tear up a bit. 

I’m especially proud of Everett, who has poured so much energy and emotion into his role as Winthrop. I know I’m biased, but he’s a total scene-stealer. This is the first time he gets a longer musical solo in a production, and he absolutely nails it. 

I don’t get to act alongside Emily much in this show—she’s found herself a new stage husband! But as always, she amazes me. She’s so much more talented than she’ll ever admit. Her stage presence is magnetic, and she absolutely shines in one of my favorite scenes. 

Danika is as charming as ever and lights up the stage in the kids’ ensemble. We even get a brief scene together—just enough for me to beam with pride. 

 And since Emily isn’t my stage wife this time, I’ve been lucky to partner with the incredibly talented Catherine Seifried Weddell, who plays Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn. Playing opposite her has been a blast. We get to be delightfully over-the-top together—antagonistic, ridiculous, and full of comic relief. Catherine is hilarious, generous, and an absolute joy to work with. I've really appreicated getting to know her a bit better, and hope we perform together again.

As for the con man I’m determined to stop—Harold Hill is brought to life by the charismatic Trevor Sinke. It’s been 76 trombones’ worth of fun playing his foil. Trevor brings such vibrant energy to every scene, and he's the kind of actor who makes everyone around him better. I hope we get to share the stage again someday. 

Of course, a leading man needs a leading lady, and Jennifer Lynn Mountain is an exceptional Marian the Librarian. Her voice, comic timing, and powerful presence elevate every scene. It’s been a pleasure getting to know her offstage too—she’s just as thoughtful and kind as she is talented. 

I’ve raved before about Jessy Morgan Davies, and with good reason. This time, she plays my daughter Zaneeta, and she’s one of the absolute standouts of the show. Her instincts are razor-sharp, and she brings nuance and charm to every moment. Plus, she’s just one of the most wonderful people I know. 

Jessy’s Zaneeta has a stage boyfriend in Jacky Vong’s Tommy—and while my character spends most of the time yelling at him, I really appreciate the kindness and encouragement Jacky has shown to my kids. He's talented, generous, and a gift to act alongside. 

The school board members—played by Ian Steel, Jacob Hundt, Samuel Reeves, Sebastien Williams, and John Logo—are a joy to boss around. Their harmonies are delightful, and I especially want to thank John for how welcoming and supportive he’s been to the Spicer family. 

Julia Galvo plays my other daughter, Gracie, and we’ve had fun with our grumpy/father-daughter dynamic on stage. Liv McQueen brings a perfect mix of warmth and sass to Mrs. Paroo, Winthrop’s mom. She’s a lot of fun to watch, and even more fun to chat with offstage—creative, thoughtful, and kind. 

Jason Bilow plays Charlie Cowell, the only character in the show who actually believes the mayor! Our scenes are short but full of fire, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him and see his stage magic at work. 

Massive shoutout to our director, Scott Mountain. It’s hard to believe this is his directorial debut—he’s done a phenomenal job shaping this show. His calm presence, insightful feedback, and clear vision helped every actor find their emotional beats and character moments. I’d work with him again in a heartbeat. 

Our dance director, Emily Jane Mew, created some spectacular choreography that truly elevates the production. She’s been patient, encouraging, and supportive—especially to Everett, which means the world to me. 

Andrew Kaidaj wears two hats as both our music director and set designer—and he’s brilliant at both. He made the musical side of things (typically my most stressful part!) enjoyable and even fun, thanks to his supportive and thoughtful approach. 

Our stage manager, Kris Hopper, is often the first friendly face we see at rehearsal. She keeps everything running smoothly and her calm, welcoming presence has meant a lot. 

Honestly, the entire cast and crew have been incredible. I wish I could mention every single person by name. The talent and kindness in this group are overwhelming, and this has already become one of my all-time favorite theatre experiences—and the curtain hasn’t even gone up yet. 

But that changes tonight. If you’re in the Cambridge area this weekend or next, come see The Music Man! 

You can grab your tickets here. We’d love to share this magical, musical experience with you.