The Archbishop Carroll Theater Society, also known as ACTS, is about to begin rehearsals for “The Music Man” following this week’s selection of the cast.
Director and Carroll alum Meg McNamara said making the selections was no easy taks.
“Most difficult decision in all of [my] six years as director,” she said
With 29 ensemble members, 14 rock-ensemble members, 13 featured dancers, and 19 lead actors and supporting actors, the theater society has the people in place for the show.
Senior Immaculata Capone scored the female lead role of Marian Paroo, a devoted librarian who also gives piano lessons.
“I could not be more excited!” Capone said. “She is such a fun and interesting role, and I cannot wait to be on the ACTS stage one last time with all of my best friends!”
Senior Jake Aversa was named to the male lead role of Harold Hill— the music man himself.
“I feel honored to play such an iconic character with a lot of history and fanfare behind him,” Aversa said. “Overall, I’m very excited, not only to play the lead, which is something I’ve never done before, but also to have the opportunity to portray such a fun, bombastic personality.”
Aversa said that his main goal with this role is “to appeal to and not abandon the source material” while simultaneously “modernizing it a
bit for the newer audiences.”
Senior Angela Daniels, sophomore Olivia Hermanovich, and junior Christina Cortese secured the roles of the three Shinns. Daniels will play Mayor Shinn’s wife, and Cortese and Hermanovich will play the Shinns’ daughters.
Daniels has appeared in a number of ACTS shows. She played Rusty in “Footloose” in 2023, and the evil stepmother in “Cinderella” earlier this year. “The Music Man” will be her final show at Carroll.
“I’m excited to see the show come to life,” Daniels said. “I’m excited to experience this one last time with all of my favorite people. I’m proud of everything I’ve done, but I know I’ll be heartbroken come curtain call.”
Other supporting roles include the quartet — Jacey Squires, Ewart Dunlap, Oliver Hicks, and Olin Britt — four school board members who seem to bicker quite often and who will be played by sophomore Dylan Attas, senior Kadin Kingston, senior Daniel Peterkin, and sophomore Brian Garwood. Attas played the prince in ACTS’ fall production of Cinderella Kingston played Prince Eric in last year’s spring musical, “The Little Mermaid.” Peterkin has displayed his musical talents in the past by conducting the band and choir from time to time, and playing the piano during Mass and other events. Garwood has played the saxophone as part of the ACTS’ pit orchestra in previous shows.
Auditions took place on Jan. 26, and callbacks happened on Jan. 28. The cast list was released Jan. 30 — two days after callbacks. “The Music Man” will be presented April 25, 26, and 27 and May 2 and 3.
