Marriott Theatre and the attached hotel, resort and golf landscape in Lincolnshire, Illinois, have provided a few of my favorite Mother’s Day memories from the past.
Mother’s Day has always ranked as my mom’s day “away from the farm” so she can enjoy the opportunity for relaxation and to be waited on with the bonus of an entertainment diversion.
Marriott Theatre always programs a special stage extravaganza in the spring in time for Mother’s Day audiences. In the past, both “South Pacific” and “The Wizard of Oz” were two of Mom’s favorites.
This year, it’s Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” parading on stage at Marriott Lincolnshire, and it’s music to my ears.
Of all the characters, I’ve always been partial to the supporting role of Mrs. Paroo, the mother of Marian the librarian. Never-married Marian is, of course, suspicious of the motives of Professor Harold Hill, who has charmed nearly everyone in her small town.
A six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy, this stage strut of “The Music Man” is keenly directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman with music direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson for a long run through June 2.
“It’s a timeless story and one that showcases the enduring charm of the Golden Age musical,” Spelman says in her director’s note.
“The idea that love, community and redemption are all inextricably intertwined with one another is a wonderful reminder in these turbulent times.”
In the role of Mrs. Paroo is stage favorite Janet Ulrich Brooks, who charmed audiences at Theatre at the Center in various lead roles such as advice columnist Ann Landers in “The Lady with All the Answers” in 2018 and in habit as Sister Clarissa in “Over the Tavern” in 2019.
The title role for this new production stars energetic and likable K.J. Hippensteel opposite golden voice Alexandra Silber as librarian Marian Paroo, and young powerhouse Kai Edgar as her little brother Winthrop who sings the glories of “Gary, Indiana.”
Many of the biggest laughs are courtesy of Alex Goodrich as stern Mayor Shinn with Goodrich, true to the form, putting his rubbery gestures and verbal expressiveness to famously punctuate every line.
This 2024 production is dedicated to the late talent dubbed as “the music man in everyone’s hearts” of both audiences and the Chicagoland theater industry: the late Bernie Yvon (1964-2014). A veteran of countless theaters across the country as well, Bernie was especially beloved for his performances on the Marriott Theatre stage, including playing this title role.
He died in a tragic automobile accident in September 2014 on his way to one of the final Saturday rehearsals for a musical role he was starring in at Theatre at the Center.
A scholarship fund in Bernie’s name ensures that the next generation of theater artists is given the same opportunity to learn and light up the stage as Bernie did, with details found at BernieYvon.com.
Tickets for “The Music Man” are $60 at 847-634-0200 or www.tickets.marriotttheatre.com.
Actress Shirley Jones, who turned 90 on March 31, starred as Marian the librarian in the 1962 feature film version of “The Music Man,” opposite the late, great Robert Preston in the title role. Jones herself traveled to “Gary, Indiana” in May 2008 as the guest headlining soloist with the Northwest Indiana Symphony performing on the Star Plaza Theatre stage. I’ve interviewed her several times, and she is always as kind and gracious as her smiling mother image on television as the proud single-singing parent in the TV series “The Partridge Family.”
In March of 2007, I was in the backstage green room waiting area at Hollywood Boulevard movie cinema in Woodridge, Illinois, with Shirley to be the media emcee at a “meet and greet” event before a weekend of screenings of her most beloved starring role films, including “The Music Man,” “Elmer Gantry” and “Oklahoma!” While we chatted, she ordered French fries smothered in nacho cheese to nosh on, all washed with a tart green apple martini or “appletini” as she called it.
She insisted I try one too, and it’s been a favorite libation ever since.
Today’s recipe is from Shirley Jones for her simple pecan pie. It’s just as sweet as Shirley herself.
Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa @comhs.org or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.
Shirley Jones’ Pecan Pie
Makes 8 servings
Crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 tablespoon butter
2-3 tablespoons cold water
Filling:
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 cups pecan pieces
Directions:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees.
- To make crust, in a small mixing bowl, mix flour and salt.
- Cut in shortening and butter until mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring with a fork until particles are moistened and cling together.
- Shape dough into a ball. Flatten slightly. On floured board, roll dough to circle at least 2 inches larger than an inverted 9-inch pie plate. Form crust into pie plate and trim and flute edges. Set aside.
- To make filling, in a medium mixing bowl, blend eggs and sugar
- Add remaining ingredients except for pecans. Mix well. Stir in pecans.
- Pour filling into pie crust.
- Bake until set, about 40 to 50 minutes. Cool before slicing and serving.
