HKUST Community Musical 2024
March 23, 2024 (Sat) 7:30 pm
March 24, 2024 (Sun) 3 pm
Brief History of HKUST Musical
The HKUST Musical tradition goes way back with a joyful collective memory, for which there is always a special place in the hearts of many music and drama enthusiasts in the University Community. It brings together extraordinary talents to create an exceptional Broadway musical experience. From our first production in 2009, "The Wedding Singer" (Hong Kong premiere), to recent hits like “Wonderful Town” and “Singin' in the Rain”, musicals have taken audiences on unforgettable journeys. Exploring the crazy world of business in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and traveling back in time to the '50s with “Grease”, each show has left us laughing, singing, and dancing in delight.
This year, we are excited to re-launch the University Musical series with a renewed focus on engaging the broader community. With the unveiling of the state-of-the-art Shaw Auditorium, we are thrilled to announce our first-ever production of the HKUST Community Musical – The Music Man by Meredith WILLSON, to be performed at the Shaw Auditorium on March 23-24, 2024, promising an even more captivating experience for all.
Under the direction and choreography of veteran musical director and instructor Mandy PETTY, and with faculty member in the Division of Humanities and operatic bass-baritone Isaac DROSCHA serving as the music director and production manager, this production features an exceptional cast of performers comprising HKUST students, staff, alumni, their families, campus residents, and members of the wider public. Their involvement has played a pivotal role in the resounding success of the production, and their participation is eagerly awaited.
Prepare yourself for a toe-tapping, heartwarming adventure that will leave you with an ear-to-ear grin! Be sure not to miss it! Book your tickets now!
Main Hall, Shaw Auditorium, HKUST
Performed in English with Chinese and English surtitles
Children under 6 will not be admitted
HK$100/$70
Presented by
THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
SHAW AUDITORIUM UNIT
Acknowledgments
BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS BY
MEREDITH WILLSON
STORY BY
MEREDITH WILLSON and FRANKLIN LACEY
THE MUSIC MAN
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com
Synopsis
"The Music Man" is a delightful Broadway musical that spins the tale of Professor Harold Hill, a charming con artist who saunters into the sleepy town of River City, Iowa, ready to pull off his grand swindle. With a twinkle in his eye and a silver tongue, Hill convinces the townsfolk to splurge on instruments and snazzy uniforms for a marching band he promises to train. But as Hill falls head over heels for the enchanting Marian Paroo, the town librarian, his heart softens, and he finds himself caught up in a whirlwind of merriment and mischief. Together, Hill and Marian rally against the skeptical mayor, rallying the quirky townspeople to create a rambunctious marching band that sets the town ablaze with laughter, music, and newfound unity. Brace yourself for a toe-tapping, heartwarming adventure that will leave you grinning from ear to ear!
“The Music Man” is a beloved Broadway musical that premiered on December 19, 1957, at the Majestic Theatre. Created by Meredith WILLSON, it quickly became a critical and popular success, hailed as one of the best musical comedies of its time.