Vanguard to stage ‘The Music Man in Concert’

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Vanguard Theater Company recently announced that Kate Dawson and Juan Drigo Ricafort will join Vanguard’s upcoming production of “The Music Man in Concert” as Marian Paroo and Harold Hill. The show performs Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16 and 17, at the theater at South Orange Middle School, 70 N. Ridgewood Road.

Originally from Champaign, Ill., Dawson moved to New York and made her Broadway debut in 1997, playing Emily for three seasons in “A Christmas Carol” at Madison Square Garden. Ricafort is an actor, vocalist, dancer, writer, and producer based in New York City; his work mixes genres and mediums, including musical theater, hip-hop, house and film.

“JD brings something unique and interesting to the role of Harold Hill. Meredith Wilson was ahead of his time with a score full of so many spoken word elements — we’re excited to see where JD will take it,” Janeece Freeman Clark, co-founder and artistic director of Vanguard, said. “Part of Vanguard’s mission is to provide nontraditional opportunities to talented actors like JD. He will be sharing the stage with Kate, a Broadway veteran, who brings magic to the role of Marian. The two of them together will be quite a pair.”

In true Vanguard tradition, these professionals will work with and mentor a cast of aspiring professional performers, as well as members of the community, in a reimagining of this classic musical. For tickets and more information, visit http://vtcmusicman.bpt.me.