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Arts & Entertainment

Grosse Pointe Theatre's The Music Man Opens Today, Sept. 18

The high-energy cast of 57 is ready to entertain for nine performances at the Fries Auditorium at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.

The Music Man is coming to town. This family-friendly musical produced by the will take to the stage at the 's Fries Auditorium when it opens today, Sept. 18, for its two-week run. The spectacular cast has 57 actors, dancers and singers--and that includes about two dozen children.

"What you see on the stage is exactly what I envisioned for this play," said Director Don Bischoff. "The actors have worked very hard and I'm sure people will have a great time watching."

But the "special" factor for this play doesn't end with the large and diverse cast. , is in, to quote lead character Harold Hill, "perpetual motion." Set on wheels and hinges, the set changes before your eyes. Spin it this way and you've got the library, spin it again and you have the front porch of the Paroo house.

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The Music Man's PR and Marketing specialist Larry Garia has also arranged for special cameo appearances by local celebrities, including singer Karen Newman and a mystery Detroit Red Wing player for the Sunday, Sept. 25 show.

Other special guests include three Grosse Pointe mayors:

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  • 's Palmer Heenan, with his grandaugher, Isabella, for the 2 p.m. show on opening day, Sept. 18
  • mayor Jim Farquhar and his wife, Elaine, on Sept. 24
  • mayor James Cooper and his daughter, Kelly, on Oct. 1.

The mayors of the and were also invited to participate, but declined.

Other celebrities set to take the stage are:

  • Detroit Free Press columnist Chuck Bennet, Sept. 22
  • Channel 4 reporter Rhonda Walker
  • Mark Weber of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Sept. 27
  • WYCD radio personalities Linda Lee and Chuck Edwards, Sept. 29
  • Lead singers from the traveling show Annabelle Road Amanda Bailey and Jeremy Temple, Sept. 30
  • Channel 7s Stephen and Lorenne Clark, Oct. 2

Grosse Pointers will be treated to performances by many of their neighbors, as the cast is chock full of people right from our own towns, and also multiple family members participating.

It begins with Director Bischoff and his family. His wife, Tracy, is the play's scene artist. Their two sons, Owen and Kyle, are among the teen dancers. Grosse Pointe Farms' Tim Reinman, who plays Harold Hill, and his two children, Mary and Conner, also take the stage. Grosse Pointe Park's Calisi family is well represented, with father, Perry, son, Gino, and daughter, Elaina as residents of River City, Iowa. The Backer family of Grosse Pointe Farms has three children in the play -- Andrew, Max and Bridget. Also, from Grosse Pointe Woods, is Jerry Nehr, and son, Quinn, and Grosse Pointe Woods residents Terry Turpin-Amato and her daughter, Christina, play a Pick a Little Lady and a teen dancer, respectively.

If you like energetic musicals and want to have a special treat, then The Music Man is certainly for you. For more information about tickets or show times, please visit the theatre's website or call 313-881-4004.

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