Washington Post - Highly Recommended
"...With their contributions and Willson’s marvelous handiwork — the brassy “Music Man” is one of the best-built musical comedies of all time — it would be hard for a theater company to go wrong. And for the most part, director Molly Smith doesn’t. Assisted by gifted choreographer Parker Esse, master set designer Eugene Lee and savvy music director Lawrence Goldberg, Smith assembles as sturdy, moving and enchantingly sung a “Music Man” as you’re ever likely to come across."
DC Theater Arts - Highly Recommended
"...She’s done it again! Molly Smith has brought another slice of Americana to The Fichandler, filled with exciting dancing, stunning vocals and performances, and oozing with optimism! From the moment the lights dimmed and a train car rose out of the middle of the stage, there was a buzz in the audience and we knew we were in for a special evening of theatre – and we weren’t disappointed. Arena Stage’s production of The Music Man is inventive and funny, and filled with sincerity. Molly Smith’s direction draws the audience in and makes us believe, all over again, that this smarmy con man can indeed be redeemed by the love of this fiercely independent librarian (Kate Baldwin)."
Washington Examiner - Highly Recommended
"...The artistic director of Arena Stage has a swell penchant for producing shiny American musicals unlike any other local director in the Washington area. Sure, there are those who take on high-budget, slick affairs in the same genre, but no one quite understands the understated like Smith in her unique presentation of musical theater."
Baltimore Sun - Highly Recommended
"...The large cast is filled with deft actors, especially Barbara Tirrell as the mayor's ballet-prone wife and Donna Migliaccio as Marian's mother. Young Ian Berlin does a cute turn as Marian's lisping brother Winthrop. The townsmen-turned-barbershop quartet do a great job. Same for the spry dancers and and the brassy orchestra, led by Lawrence Goldberg."
MetroWeekly - Recommended
"...Thankfully, the radiant score – brimming with treasures such as ''Ya Got Trouble,'' ''Seventy-Six Trombones'' and ''Till There Was You'' – and the top-notch cast are resilient enough to transcend moments of directorial over-/under-/what-was-she-thinking. Moses and Baldwin are nothing less than delightful, creating potent romantic chemistry in their portrayals of Harold's suave confidence and Marian's hopeful yearning, which Baldwin voices beautifully in songs such as ''Goodnight My Someone'' and ''My White Knight.''"
WeLoveDC - Highly Recommended
"...Arena’s production is a chance to see a top cast and crew do an American classic as well as it could possibly be staged. If you want unique and edgy you can find that down the street or look for the gems in the impending Fringe Festival. This is theatrical comfort food and as long as that’s what you’re looking for you’re gonna love it."
Talkin Broadway - Recommended
"...Molly Smith's production of Meredith Willson's The Music Man at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, takes a little time to get up to speed, but when it does it captures the audience in its warm embrace. If it isn't quite as revelatory as Smith's earlier take on Oklahoma!, it's a first-class piece of work, headlined by Broadway performers Burke Moses and Kate Baldwin."
Washington City Paper - Somewhat Recommended
"... If Smith means this Music Man to be more than the sum of its previous productions, though, I can’t tell you how. She’s just gotten it up on its feet and dancing—quite fetchingly when Moses squires Baldwin around Eugene Lee’s basketball court of an open set—but without an original thought in its head. It’s pleasant light entertainment, but not very interesting."
Washingtonian - Highly Recommended
"...Smith’s cast, which includes veterans (Lawrence Redmond, Donna Migliaccio, and John Lescault) along with newsboys (an adorable cast of children, many discovered at Arena open castings) is uniformly strong, and the scenes that incorporate the whole chorus are among the most powerful. The rousing finale is as cinematic and thrilling a number as any in Smith’s record-smashing Oklahoma!, and even the supporting players are charismatic enough to steal scenes, particularly Burton and Katerina Papacostas as Ethel Toffelmeir. Smith and choreographer Parker Esse use the Fichandler’s in-the-round space brilliantly, so there’s barely a moment when you feel like you might be missing out."
Washington Blade - Highly Recommended
"...Everyone thinks they know “The Music Man,” the quirky musical by Meredith Willson, with favorite songs like “Seventy-Six Trombones” and “Till There Was You” and standard characters like the smooth-talking con-man, the prim librarian and eccentric townspeople. But Willson weaves a much richer tale than we remember."
ShowBizRadio - Highly Recommended
"...The Music Man has been a hit since it first opened in 1957. The high quality of Arena’s production will ensure that area audiences will continue to enjoy it."
The Georgetowner - Highly Recommended
"...And so far as entertainment machines go, “The Music Man” delivers. It’s a robust vehicle that never flags and runs right past potential pitfalls, thanks to Smith. It has a deftly selected cast that couldn’t be more gifted, especially in the leads. Kate Baldwin, as Marian the town librarian and music teacher, is slight and dynamic, all blazing red hair with a shining, patient sort of charisma. Burke Moses strikes up the band and revs up the room temperature as Harold Hill, the con man as magician. He’s every bit as high-stepping and high-spirited as the iconic Robert Preston, sweeping almost all before him as he works his con of talking the town folks into the dream of a marching band, complete with lessons, uniforms and instruments."
CultureMob - Highly Recommended
"...For the last several seasons, Arena director Molly Smith’s best successes have come through musicals. Many runs have been extended. No doubt Smith feels obliged to deliver a range of productions to her greater Washington audience. But these musicals succeed so immensely that she should consider adding more to her program. With a capital “P” and that stands for please."
MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended
"...With its highly energetic choreography and equally talented cast, the Arena Stage’s LIVELY production of The Music Man is the perfect show for families to go and enjoy together."
DCTheatreScene - Somewhat Recommended
Molly Smith’s production, technically excellent as all Arena Stage productions are, seems, curiously, empty. Perhaps it is Eugene Lee’s set, empty except for an occasional piece of furniture lifted hydraulically from under the stage and a dark hole, graced by stairs, through which characters inexplicably exit to their homes, to the town, and to everywhere else.
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...Arena Stage, true to its form, pulls off an incredible theatrical feat in pulling together some of DC's best and brightest cast and crew for The Music Man. Burke Moses's performance as Hill is spot on, and he expertly pulls off the role of a smooth-talking traveling salesman - yet, this one is lovable, and Moses manages to walk that fine line with excellent craftsmanship. He is well-balanced by Kate Baldwin, who pulls off a successful portrayal of Paroo's "Ms. Independent" personality with an endearing tender side most evident in her musical numbers. Baldwin's voice is true talent and she uses her instrument well to impart Paroo's personal insecurities, bringing small cracks into her otherwise full-proof and uncompromising personality."
