'Music Man' off on a high note at ROH opening

If the cast of "Music Man" were an American Idol contestant and Randy Jackson was still a judge, after last night's opening, he'd say one thing: "They're in it to win it!"

The sheer exuberance and energy with which this troupe nailed Meredith Willson's Broadway classic would've been more than enough to mitigate any opening-night glitches or gaffs ... but there were none.

The masterful clickety clack first number ("Rock Island") between shady - dare I say - nefarious Midwest salesman on a train headed to River City let theatergoers know right off the bat that the cast had done its homework. We'll give 'em an A, for awesome.

"Music Man," now playing at the Rochester Opera House, is about a Midwest salesman whose stock in trade is to enthrall and lure unsuspecting townspeople into financing a band to keep idle youth out of trouble, who then leaves with the loot before the first note is played.

At center in the high jinks is protagonist Michael Coppola as Professor Harry Hill whose sure-footed antics and lyrically precise voice possesses all the aplomb you could ask for in the starring role.

His rendition of "Ya Got Trouble" is something you'll want to see a second, dare I say third time.

Coppola is the glue in the brilliantly written Broadway classic, but the actors and actresses he holds together are equally impressive.

Anna Richardson as Marian Paroo showed clear and powerful vocals while the School Board quartet were, shall we say, in a class by themselves.

But the takeaway from this opening night performance play could be the incredible enthusiasm and joy with which the young men and women, and youngsters in the cast acquit themselves.

Their energy is infectious, and the result is a triumph.