Dress rehearsal on the Plant City Entertainment stage in Historic Downtown is filled with shuffling crew members shifting lights and actors in various costumes dashing in and out of the spotlight Monday, July 13.
As of Monday, there were only four days left until the first showing of the theater group’s 2015 summer production, “The Music Man.” The show will run from July 17 to 19 and July 23 to 25.
“This year everyone genuinely cares, they are passionate,” assistant director, April Golombek, said.
Director Tyler Hollis is one of the many responsible for the already visible success of the production. Not only is he directing, he is also acting. During rehearsals, he runs on stage to play his part in the song, “Rock Island.”
“I really love acting,” Hollis said. “It was what I wanted to do originally.”
He has been with the theater for 20 years, starting out as a 16-year-old actor, when Plant City Entertainment did not have a permanent home on Wheeler Street. The actors and their props floated around the city, holding plays at Hillsborough Community College until they found the old office building and converted it into a theater six years ago.
“I do this for the love of the theater,” Hollis said. “And you know, each person here is a volunteer.”
Charlie Cowell plays salesperson Terry Abbott in the second half of the play. He’s one of the many volunteer actors who is involved for the pure enjoyment of performance.
“I live all the way out in Valrico,” Cowell said. “I’ve been performing between here and Brandon for 25 years.”
“The Music Man” was originally a book that sparked into a movie production in 1962. It stars con man Harold Hill, who sells expensive band instruments and uniforms to a small town. He convinces everyone he is a musical teacher with the intent to produce a superb marching band and then plans to hightail it out of town with the money.
Of course, it doesn’t end there. Hill falls in love with librarian Marian Paroo and sticks around to lead his young band with no musical knowledge.
“One of the reasons I picked the play is because it’s such a classic,” Hollis said. “I believe we will have a large turnout. We sit 150 people.”
There are five sets of siblings in the play and three sets of couples. Coincidentally, the romantic lead roles of the play are married in real life.
Randy and Tracey Magruder met in the production “Plaza Suite” five years ago. They played opposite of one another, grew to be close friends and eventually a couple.
Tracey is a piano and voice teacher, a profession that she and her character share.
The two have a 1-year-old son together and perform solely because they enjoy it.
“We’ve done a number of plays,” Randy Magruder said.
IF YOU GO
WHEN: 8 p.m. July 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25; 2 p.m. July 19
WHERE: 1501 N. Wheeler St.
PRICE: Adults, $16; seniors and students, $14; members or groups of ten or more, $12. Tickets are available at Hardee’s Fashions, 1501 N. Wheeler St., or online at PCEShows.com.
