ACT Summer Youth Program Presents:
The Music Man Jr.
Music and Lyrics by Meredith Willson
Book by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey
Directed by: Rebecca Douglas
Performances: Aug 21, 22(M&E), 27, 28, 29(M&E)
Shows start at 7:30pm in the evenings, 2:30pm for matinees.
*(M&E) matinee and evening performances
Closed Captioning available by Cue Captions Aug 22 evening
The Music Man JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
Sponsored by:
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Don’t miss this fun-filled family production featuring some
of Albany’s most talented young performers!
Grab your seats now for The Music Man Jr. and
experience the magic of live youth theater.
About the Show
Based on Meredith Willson's six-time-Tony-Award-winning musical comedy, The Music Man JR. features some of musical theatre’s most iconic songs and a story filled with wit, warmth and good old-fashioned romance. The Music Man JR. is family entertainment at its best — a bold, brassy show that will have the whole town atwitter!
Master showman Harold Hill is in town and he’s got “seventy-six trombones” in tow. Can upright, uptight Marian, the town librarian, resist his powerful allure? The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize. The catch? He doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, whose belief in Harold’s power just might help him succeed in the end in spite of himself.
The Music Man JR. is the perfect vehicle for your young cast, a toe-tapping crowd-pleaser that features a soaring soprano ingénue part and a leading role for a charismatic actor, as well as plenty of roles for kids of every level.
Cast of Characters
Harold Hill
Charismatic con man. Requires high energy, strong acting, and singing.
Marian Paroo
The town librarian and music teacher. A "different" leading lady, often with a high singing range.
Charlie Cowell
Traveling salesman antagonist.
Mayor Shinn
Comedic, blustery town mayor.
Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn
The mayor's colorful wife.
Marcellus Washburn
Harold's former partner, now living in River City.
Ethel Toffelmeier
One of the core members of the Pick-a-little ladies.
Mrs. Paroo
Irish mother to Marian and Winthrop.
Winthrop Paroo
Marian's shy brother (needs to handle a lisp).
Amaryllis
Young piano student.
Ewart Dunlop
Ewart is one of the four quartet members with the second highest voice or tenor.
Oliver Hix
Oliver is one of the four quartet members with the second lowest voice or baritone.
Jacey Squires
Jacey is one of the four quartet members with the highest voice or tenor.
Olin Britt
Olin is one of the four quartet members with the lowest voice or bass.
Tommy Djilas
Youthful, energetic troublemaker.
Zaneeta Shinn
Mayor's daughter, "Ye Gads" girl, usually a strong dancer.
Gracie Shinn
Gracie is Zaneeta’s little sister.
Alma Hix
One of the core members of the Pick-a-little ladies.
Maud Dunlop
One of the core members of the Pick-a-little ladies.
Mrs. Squires
One of the core members of the Pick-a-little ladies.
Conductor
The conductor has the first line in the show, so cast an actor that is loud and energetic!
Constable Locke
The Constable is a quietly wise man who sees through Harold but doesn’t seem to mind.
Ensemble
The Ensemble is comprised of Adult-types, teens and kids to play townspeople, traveling salesmen, teen dancers, and the boys’ band. Can accommodate additional Pick-a-little ladies.
Auditions
Open auditions for The Music Man JR. are open to youth ages 8 -18 and will be held at Albany Civic Theater on Monday, June 15th and Tuesday, June 16th from 5-8:30 PM. Auditioners should attend BOTH nights. Callbacks will be held by invitation-only on Wednesday, June 17th.
Please come a little bit early to fill out the audition form. Feel free to bring an acting resume with you (if you have one) to attach to your audition form. Bring a full list of conflicts for August 3 - 30 to share with the directing staff.
Camp Cost: $200. There will be two tuition pay days in July. We will announce those dates once we have a cast. Contact the director Rebecca Douglas at rebecca.douglas@albanycivic.org for information on scholarships and sibling discounts!
If you are a parent or family member wanting to volunteer, please contact director Rebecca Douglas at rebecca.douglas@albanycivic.org.
What to bring/expect:
Auditioners should prepare to sing about 30 seconds or 16 bars of music from a song of their choice (typically the length of one verse and one chorus). They should pick a song that they feel confident singing and showcases their voice. We recommend singing a musical or Disney song. Please do not pick a song from The Music Man. An accompanist will be there playing piano, so please bring sheet music. If a student is unable to provide sheet music, they can sing “Happy Birthday.”
MONDAY: Doors open at 3:30 PM. Auditions run 5 - 8:30 PM. Auditioners will be filling out audition forms and doing their vocal and movement auditions. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that will allow for movement.
TUESDAY: Doors open at 4 PM. Auditions run 5 - 8:30 PM. Theater games, and reading from the script
WEDNESDAY: Callbacks by invitation only. Doors open at 4 PM. Callbacks 5 - 8:30 PM
Camp & Performance Schedule
Summer Camp:
🗓️ August 3-21, 2026
🕘 Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Albany Civic Theater
Auditions:
🗓️ Jun 15-17, 2026 | 5:00 PM
📍 Albany Civic Theater
Auditioners should come both Monday and Tuesday. On Monday, actors should be prepared to sing a song (not from Music Man please!) - an accompanist will be available and learn a dance. Tuesday actors will be reading from the script and playing theater games. Wednesday is for callbacks by invitation.
Performances:
August 21, 22 (matinee), 22 (evening),
27, 28 (matinee), 28 (evening), 29 (evening)
Shows start at 7:30pm in the evenings, 2:30pm for matinees.
Registration & Tuition
Tuition: $200 per camper
Sibling discounts and need-based scholarships available
Open to youth ages 8–18, by audition only
Rebecca Douglas, Director
Rebecca Douglas has been involved in community theater for thirty years! Some of her local credits include: ACT’s All Together Now!, Annie as Grace Ferrell, Big Fish as Josephine, Shrek as the Witch, Avenue Q as Lucy and Mrs. T., Thoroughly Modern Millie as Alice, Meet Me in St. Louis as Anna Smith, The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn, and Hello, Dolly! as Ernestina Money. She also directed Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr, Seussical Jr., Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr., The Wizard of Oz, Once on This Island Jr. and At First Sight, co-directed Matilda, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and served as vocal director for The Wizard of Oz, Man of La Mancha, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, as assistant director for Treasure Island and Excalibur! The Story of Young King Arthur and as administrative director/stage manager for Shakespeare for Kids. She also performed in On the Verge and Annie Get Your Gun at CCT, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein with Pipe Dream Theatre, Majestic Eight and The Little Mermaid with the Majestic Theatre. She has also directed a number of shows for CCT and Majestic Education. She is the General Music Teacher at Albany Christian School. She is also the Music Director for the Adventures in Acting Camp at the Majestic Theatre.
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Yes! Our Box Office opens 45 minutes before each performance, and occasionally additional seats are made available last minute.
Thursday nights also offer Rush tickets for $5.00 when purchased in person! -
We love our volunteers at ACT, and an easy way to get involved is to sign up as an usher! Ushering is also a great way to get to see a show for free.
Please see our Get Involved page above for more details, or reach out to our Volunteer Manager.