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  • Gina Flesher fits Ian McEntire with suspenders for the production of “The Music Man,” which Duncan Little Theatre will present in four shows at the Simmons Center. Derrick Miller

    Gina Flesher fits Ian McEntire with suspenders for the production of “The Music Man,” which Duncan Little Theatre will present in four shows at the Simmons Center.
February 10, 2012

DLT strikes up the music

Cast prepares to present classic musical

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — It’s been 25 years since Duncan Little Theatre first produced a version of “The Music Man.”

A quarter-century later, the current production of the familiar musical included quite a bit of interaction from the community and former DLT stars. It features a return to the stage of some DLT veterans mixed with several new faces and talents.

The show is set for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at the Simmons Center.

“The Music Man” is the tale of a salesman who cons a town into buying instruments, with a false promise of helping to create a band, although he doesn’t know anything about instruments.

The DLT cast of nearly 50 covers a wide range of ages and stage experience. Richard Johnson, who has guest directed several sizable Duncan Little Theatre shows, is directing the production. This show will feature more male voices than in some of the group’s previous musicals.

For Justin Sullivan, who regularly performs in DLT musicals each year, “The Music Man” marks a first time to be a show producer. He’s also still keeping to his acting chops, portraying Marcellus Washburn.

Sullivan, who has been in such productions as “Oklahoma!” and “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” is excited about being heavily involved in what he considers one of the best productions DLT has ever staged.

“It’s my first time as a producer, and I’ve learned a lot from it. I’ve learned to appreciate the producers before me,” he noted.

Working on the show has been a positive experience. Sullivan said the cast is having a good time bringing the characters and the musical to life.

“We’ve had a lot of fun with it,” he proclaimed. “There’s a lot of teenagers who have gone above and beyond. I’m really proud of them.”

Band uniforms are featured in the show and DLT is making good use of some donated by the Comanche High School Band. The high school band recently received a grant to cover the costs of the new uniforms, making the old uniforms available.

Costumer Gina Flesher said the uniforms were old enough to look authentic for the production. While she is having to make some minor alterations to obscure the school name and logo for the show, Flesher said the uniforms are a great addition to the production.

“The Comanche Band has been very, very helpful,” Sullivan said. “They saved our costumer a lot of hassle and a lot of money.”

Donations like those  from the Comanche Band, help keep DLT operational. The theatre troupe also receives grants from the Oklahoma Arts Council and the Simmons Center Foundation.

While “The Music Man” has been performed before by DLT, Sullivan said this production will have some references to the pervious production. For instance, cast members from the original DLT show have been invited back to watch the performance. Their tickets will be compensated by DLT.

A booth will be set up to feature the original poster, the original playbill and photos from the original production.

Sullivan felt everyone feels honored to bring the show to life again in Duncan. “This one has taken a lot of hard work. Danielle Flesher (Stephens) has done a lot of choreography,” he noted. “I think we’ll have a great show.”

Sullivan said DLT usually brings some great productions to the Simmons Center and hopes people will enjoy it as much as the cast and crew have enjoyed making it happen.

“This is one of the best productions I’ve ever seen,” he said. “We’re happy to be doing this musical.”

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