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The Studio Rockford Presents ‘The Music Man’ By Janine Pumilia ome musicals hold up really well over time and “The Music Man” is one of them. If you haven’t seen it in awhile and could use the kind of contagious energy boost only youths can offer, you’ll soon have your chance. Adam and Courtney Walsh, owners of The Studio Rockford (and self-confessed theater geeks) are grooming 140 local students ages 8 to 19 to present the lively musical later this month. “It’s a very upbeat, fun and colorful show,” says Adam. “We’ve both taken part in performing it several times and have attended many renditions of it and it just never gets old.” Eight public performances will be offered during the weekends of March 13 and March 20 at Maddox Theater, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St. “The Music Man” tells the story of charming-but-wily con man Harold Hill,
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Smart Living Weekly
Adam and Courtney Walsh
who poses as a band leader to convince Midwestern townsfolk to purchase uniforms and instruments from him. Although he promises to coordinate a big show, he secretly plans to take the money and run until skeptical librarian Marian Paroo awakens his better nature. “It’s all very, very light-hearted,” says Adam. Favorite songs include “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Trouble,” “Lida Rose,”
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“Goodnight, My Someone” and “Pickalittle (Talk-a-Little).” Except for lead roles, the show is double cast to allow more children to participate. “We’re very blessed to have kids in place who can carry off these roles so well,” says Adam. “Some of them need very little direction – they just have this wonderful natural talent.” Nurturing kids’ talent and confidence through creative arts, both performing and visual, was the reason the Walshes launched The Studio Rockford in 2014. They employ local musicians to teach private music lessons and personally direct four productions each year. Auditions are open to all local children ages 8 to 19 and no prior experience is required. This summer, The Studio Rockford will offer two more shows. The first is
