Published: November 09, 2009 09:36 pm      

NAHS brings back 'Music Man' with last minute new leading role, 150 students, more

In his 35-year career, New Albany High School theater director David Longest had to roll with the punches last week after a leading role in “The Music Man” quit just one week before opening night.

However, one student, a freshman, had played the role in a similar version in middle school last year and was chosen to fill the open spot.

“I’m nervous, very nervous, but kind of excited,” said Joshua Gilley, who is playing Marcellus. “As a freshman, I didn’t expect this big of a role.”

In about a day, he had most of his lines memorized as well as some of the dances.

“It’s a lot and a lot of practice,” Gilley said. “It’s challenging,

but rewarding.”

Gilley’s character is best friends with the main roll, Harold Hill.

The play is set in the fictional town of River City, Iowa, in 1912, when Hill comes to town to sell band instruments and uniforms to the town’s youth and to strike up a boy’s band.

The play includes a cast, crew and orchestra of more than 150 people, with about 30 of those being young children.

This is the play that started Longest’s career in theater, 44 years ago when he was just 10. It was even at the same school, NAHS.

“I got my start with “[The] Music Man.” I guess you could say that that show changed my life here forever,” he said.

He said he’s excited to bring the more than two dozen children to stage.

“It’s tender ground you’re walking on, because it’s their first introduction to a big theater production,” Longest said. "They’re either hooked for life or they’re not. Usually they’re hooked for life.”

Zach Trinkle, who plays Hill, said children bring something extra to the stage.

“It’s fun. You don’t get to see energy as often as you do when you see little kids on stage,” he said.

Even with managing a cast including some children and a new leading role, Longest said he’s ready for opening night.

He said everyone should come by for the play.

“It’s an all-time favorite, I think,” he said. “People know the show by name ... One of the things that makes it so magical, it’s not unlike New Albany of 1912. The people are not unlike the people we grew up knowing or our parents grew up knowing ... and even though the setting goes back to 1912, it’s pretty current in that we all have a little bit of gullibility in us.”

“It’s a great show with a beautiful story and plenty of talented people who will make it a joy to see,” Trinkle said.

The play opens Thursday and runs through Sunday.