Gabriella Beamish, of Melrose, to Perform in Assumption College's Production of The Music Man

2017 Apr 4

Assumption College's Department of Art, Music and Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning musical The Music Man, the College's ninth annual spring production held at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, on April 21-23, featuring Assumption students, alumni, and members of the community. Gabriella Beamish, of Melrose, Class of 2019, has been cast to play Townsperson in the production.

Gabriella Beamish is a secondary education and English double major with a minor in psychology. On campus, she is involved in SEARCH, music ministry, and student ambassadors. Gabriella has been performing in musicals since middle school and is excited to be back on stage.

Meredith Willson's first musical, The Music Man, is one on the most produced American musicals, and was inspired by Willson's childhood growing up in Mason City, Iowa. The story follows con man, "Professor" Harold Hill, who convinces the parents of River City, Iowa, to buy instruments and uniforms for their children with the promise to train them. However, Harold is no musician and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons. Chaos ensues as Harold's credentials are questioned by Marian, the prim librarian and piano teacher, and he is called upon to prove himself to the citizens of River City. In 1957, The Music Man was a Broadway hit, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the cast album won the first Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The show's success led to a number of revivals, including a long-running 2000 Broadway revival, a popular 1962 film adaptation and a 2003 television remake.

"We are excited to once again return to The Hanover Theatre to perform one of America's most loved musicals," said the production's director and producer Richard Monroe '85, an Assumption alumnus and the College's guest theater director. "The Music Man affords Assumpton College the opportunity to showcase the great artistic talent of its students and that of many members of the Worcester community. We are very much looking forward to bringing our unique version of the outstanding musical to life on one of Worcester's biggest, and most historic, stages."

Other past Assumption theatre productions performed at The Hanover include Children of Eden, Fiddler on the Roof, The Fantasticks, Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver!, The Pirates of Penzance and Seussical the Musical. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 21 and 22 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. Tickets are $28 for adults and $10 for Assumption students, seniors and children with promotional code. Purchase tickets by visiting The Hanover Theatre website or by calling the theatre box office at 877.571.SHOW (7469).