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THE MUSIC MAN
IS BACK, POWERED BY YAMAHA TROMBONES
GRAND RAPIDS, MI–Meredith Willson’s 1957 masterpiece The Music Man is back on Broadway, with Yamaha trombones at center stage. When the Neil Simon Theater thunders every night with the music of "76 Trombones," they’re the same Yamaha trombones that artists around the world have prized for their beauty, great sound and ease of operation. "The Music Man is practically synonymous with trombones, and the first major revival of this classic deserves the very best," said Michael Bennett, Vice President and General Manager, Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division. "Yamaha is also proud to supply the piccolo and the alto and tenor saxophones used in their production as well. It’s great to see all the instruments on stage." The show stars Craig Bierko (The Long Kiss Goodnight, The Thirteenth Floor), who won the personal approval of Willson’s widow Rosemary to fill the late Robert Preston’s shoes as big-hearted con man "Professor" Harold Hill. Rebecca Luker (The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera) is Broadway’s new Marian "The Librarian" Paroo, the role originated on Broadway by Barbara Cook and brought to the screen in 1962 by Shirley Jones. Max Casella (Doogie Howser, M.D.) and Paul Benedict (The Jeffersons) help round out the cast. The production is presented by Dodger Theatricals, with direction and choreography by Susan Stroman.
Like other Yamaha band and orchestral instruments, Yamaha trombones are assembled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The instruments come to life through a combination of skilled craftsmanship and high-tech precision; for example, high-energy lasers fuse the brass to create a perfectly seamless bell, while artisans hand-fit valves, triggers and other small parts. Each instrument is soldered, buffed and lacquer-finished under the expert eye of an individual craftsperson, and each trombone is play-tested before it leaves the factory. The result is a superior instrument that offers consistent tone, air tightness, and easy, reliable operation. Yamaha trombone mouth pipes are designed for precise intonation and fine control; precision-formed slides guarantee flawless action, and feature a unique lock to keep them from falling off during play. A 1998 independent survey of band instrument technicians found that Yamaha trombones were preferred for their smooth action and ease of service. The Music Man is the story of how Professor Hill intends to dupe the people of River City, Iowa, with a phony plan to buy instruments for a children’s band. Instead of leaving town with the money, he finds love–and the children get their chance to perform. "It’s significant that kids are at the heart of The Music Man," Bennett added. "The joy of performance is as real today as it was when the show debuted in 1957, or in 1912 when the story is set. In today’s atmosphere of school budget cuts, it’s a reminder we could all profit from." A portion of the show’s proceeds will benefit the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, a non-profit public affairs initiative of the cable television and satellite industry dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music programs in cities across the country, and by raising public awareness about the importance of music participation for our nation's youth. Sam Ash Music is running a sweepstakes in 30 stores nationwide to send a lucky grand prizewinner to New York to see a performance and win a signed Yamaha trombone. For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, 3445 East Paris Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49518; telephone (616) 940-4900; e-mail info@yamaha.com; or visit the web site at http://www.yamaha.com/band.
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