The Sundance Summer Theatre will stage a production of “The Music Man” this summer from July 21 to Aug. 13.
The Sundance Summer Theatre returned to the Eccles Outdoor Stage in 2008 and has hosted musical productions for the community each season. Although UVU partners with Sundance, this year BYU theatre professor Stephanie Breinholt will direct the production of the “The Music Man.”
For the ninth year, UVU will continue to provide the summer theatre with everything from costumes to set designs. Half the production crew is from UVU.
“We’re lucky to live in such a talented area,” said Sundance Director of Programming and Marketing Mari Turner. “It’s a magical experience to see the production out under the stars with such a beautiful backdrop.”
Cast members come from all over Utah Valley and include BYU and UVU students, as well as high school, junior high and elementary school students.
“For this show we had to create a town — River City — so I wanted a range of actors, from children to mature actors,” Breinholt said.
“The Music Man” tells the story of con man Harold Hill who poses as a band instructor in order to sell uniforms and instruments to the people of River City, Iowa. He is no musician, however, and plans to skip town before teaching anyone; but he falls in love with the town’s librarian instead.
“I love the thought that if you believe in the good of others and act upon it, magic can happen,” Breinholt said. “I’ve seen that happen in my own life, and it happens in the show — theatrically and thematically. The show is a great representation that ordinary life can be full of extraordinary things. I actually love every part of the show — the singing, the dancing, the story, but especially the lovely people I am so blessed to work with every day.”
Breinholt predicts tickets will soon sell out and hopes many in the community experience the production.
Bench and lawn seating are available for varying prices, and visitors can purchase a barbecue meal with seating.
The production schedule and tickets are available online.
