by Natalia Kirychuk, Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University’s production of “The Music Man,” which ran February 2–12, broke the record for most tickets sold for a Cedarville University Theatre production. The show sold nearly 4,000 tickets – 179 more than Cedarville’s last box office champion, “Fiddler on the Roof,” performed winter 2015.
Rebecca Baker, associate professor of theatre, directed “The Music Man,” in her last production as a professor at Cedarville. She plans to retire at the end of the academic year.
“This show had so many things I love about working in theatre,” said Baker. “I loved working with the large cast and the children from the community. This cast truly became like a family. Both cast and crew worked together seamlessly. It was a wonderful, supportive group to work with.”
Baker praised the work of numerous faculty, staff and off-campus collaborators on “The Music Man” including set designer Bob Clements, production manager Tim Phipps, orchestra conductor Carlos Elias, makeup, hair and costume designer Rebekah Priebe, choreographer Carrie Anthony, musical director Jeff Beste and dramaturgical coordinator Diane Merchant.
Baker directed Cedarville’s first production of “The Music Man” in 1977, when senior professor of history Murray Murdoch’s two sons were in the production. Mark Murdoch played Winthrop while his brother, Jim, played one of the boys in town.
“One of the differences in the two productions of ‘The Music Man,’ was the incredible amount of collaboration we were able to achieve this time around,” said Baker.
“What I love about Cedarville theatre is working with students, celebrating the gifts of others and telling good stories that invite us to ask honest questions about life,” said Baker. “’The Music Man’ had those elements and that contributed to its success.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.
Rebecca Baker, associate professor of theatre, directed “The Music Man,” in her last production as a professor at Cedarville. She plans to retire at the end of the academic year.
“This show had so many things I love about working in theatre,” said Baker. “I loved working with the large cast and the children from the community. This cast truly became like a family. Both cast and crew worked together seamlessly. It was a wonderful, supportive group to work with.”
Baker praised the work of numerous faculty, staff and off-campus collaborators on “The Music Man” including set designer Bob Clements, production manager Tim Phipps, orchestra conductor Carlos Elias, makeup, hair and costume designer Rebekah Priebe, choreographer Carrie Anthony, musical director Jeff Beste and dramaturgical coordinator Diane Merchant.
Baker directed Cedarville’s first production of “The Music Man” in 1977, when senior professor of history Murray Murdoch’s two sons were in the production. Mark Murdoch played Winthrop while his brother, Jim, played one of the boys in town.
“One of the differences in the two productions of ‘The Music Man,’ was the incredible amount of collaboration we were able to achieve this time around,” said Baker.
“What I love about Cedarville theatre is working with students, celebrating the gifts of others and telling good stories that invite us to ask honest questions about life,” said Baker. “’The Music Man’ had those elements and that contributed to its success.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.