Paul Andersen
THE ALEX THEATRE -- The role of Prof. Harold Hill in Meredith
Willson's "The Music Man" has long been a favorite among musical comedy
actors.
The brash, woman-chasing, silver-tongued, quick-footed traveling
salesman is a classic character that draws actors to it like bees to
flowers, and Rob McManus is no stranger to its appeal.
He has done it twice before, and is ready to do it again, in the
current production presented by The Music Theatre of Southern California,
which opens Friday at The Alex Theatre.
However, chances are he will be onstage as part of the ensemble,
rather than as Hill, through the play's run. He will be an insurance
policy, just in case something happens to Michael G. Hawkins, the actor
who is actually portraying Hill in the production.
Such is the life of an understudy.
"I'm not sure, but I don't think Michael has ever missed a performance
in the past 30 years," McManus says with a laugh over the phone.
Regardless, McManus, a longtime Glendale resident who sells real
estate in the area during the workaday week, will be ready to step in at
a moment's notice if something should happen to Hawkins.
In addition to learning and performing his ensemble work, he has also
attended all the play rehearsals, assimilating the Harold Hill role
mainly through watching Hawkins rehearse.
"I've played Hill in high school, and I played him in a 1995 charity
production of 'The Music Man' by The Music Theatre in San Gabriel," he
said. "It is definitely one of my favorite roles, one with which I am
comfortable."
He views the current production as sort of a master acting class.
"Educationally, it is the next step up," he said. "Having done it on
a school and charity level, it is a chance to relearn the role on a
professional level, and working with choreographer Rikki Lugo makes it an
absolutely wonderful experience.
"Besides, the rehearsals have been hysterical to watch at times, with
all the cutting up going on.
"But those tales where Shirley MacLaine goes on to stardom from an
understudy role, well, in real life, the chances of playing the role
itself are almost nil, especially in a production such as this."
But just in case, McManus will be ready.
Another performer in the ensemble cast is also singing the praises of
choreographer Lugo. "The Music Man" marks Adam Dyer's debut with Music
Theatre, and the recent East Coast transplant to Burbank is having a
wonderful time.
"She (Lugo) has been marvelous to work with," he said. "It doesn't
