'Music Man Jr.' opens tonight

WINTHROP LEARNS TO PLAY- Jonathan Lovett of Oak Park portrays the lisping Winthrop Paroo in Stages' production of "The Music Man Jr.," July 24 to 26 at the Pepperdine Smothers Theater. Stages Performing Arts will present "The Music Man Jr." at 7:30 p.m. Thurs. and Fri., July 24 and 25, and 6:30 p.m. Sat., July 26 at Pepperdine Smothers Theater.

"The Music Man" tells the story of a con man who intends to fleece the citizens of River City, Iowa, but his plans are thwarted by the town music teacher and librarian, who is on to his con.

The show includes songs such as "76 Trombones," "'Til There Was You" and "Trouble."

The cast consists of children ages 7 to 15.

Broadway actress Shoshana Bean, who played Elphaba in "Wicked," surprised the Stages students and alumni with a visit to the Agoura Hills camp July 8 to share her experiences and encourage the performers as they rehearsed for their Pepperdine performance.

Bean stressed to the kids how important it is to make sacrifices but "to be ready to draw the line and decide where."

When campers asked what parts she wished she could do, Bean said, "I could see Harold Hill as an amazing role." The con man Professor Harold Hill is a key character in "The Music Man," and one played by two young Stages actors in the show.

She told the girls who are wearing period long dresses for their upcoming show, "As gross as you feel in these prehistoric dresses for 'The Music Man,' these dresses really make a difference in your character."

Bean's final piece of advice: "You do what you love, and because you love it, your moment is going to come."

Tickets for the show are $20 at the door.

To purchase tickets, call (310) 506-4522 or visit the website www.ticketmaster.com. The theater is at 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Malibu.