Staged: Forrestdale’s ‘Music Man Jr.’

There may have been trouble in River City on stage, but there was entertainment in Rumson at Forrestdale School recently in the form of a younger version of the classic musical The Music Man — The Music Man Jr.

The school’s Drama Club produced its junior version of Meredith Wilson’s show on Jan. 28 and 29, featuring students in sixth through eighth grades on stage and worked behind the scenes.

“Each year I am amazed by the high-quality performance these middle school students deliver,” Forrestdale School Principal Jennifer Gibbons said. “I am so proud of their talent and dedication, and look forward to seeing them on Broadway some day!”

The production featured 41 performers. In the principal roles were: Rory McGill as traveling salesman/charming con man Harold Hill; Francesca Black as town librarian and Harold’s love interest Marian Paroo; Jamie Lynne Eckhoff as Marian’s mother, Mrs. Paroo; Mackenzie Doherty as Marian’s brother Winthrop Paroo; and Matt Marra as Mayor Shinn.

There were the popular solo and group renditions of the show’s popular musical numbers, such as “Seventy-six Trombones,” “Ya Got Trouble,” “Goodnight My Someone,” “Wells Fargo Wagon,” and “Till There Was You.”

The student crew consisted of 16 members, with seventh grader Peter O’Connor as student stage manager.

The musical was directed by Vinny Sabatino, with Barbara Leutz as music director and John Lebitsch as technical director. Forrestdale alums Jennifer Eckhoff and Gina Teschke served as choreographer and RFH student choreographer. Jennifer Eckhoff was costume chairwoman as well, and Michael Unger led the team for set art and building.

— Edited press release from the Rumson School District