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Musical production full of delights, surprises
Meet me in Missouri is a musical revue of the music attributed to Missouri composers. It is a delightful show, full of surprises and just down-right nostalgic.
I was invited by Marsha Martin, the pianist and producer, to sit in on one of the rehearsals of this production Even though the rehearsal, as most rehearsals run, was somewhat jumbled, stopped for this production change or we need this or that, what I just said about it holds true. It was totally enjoyable and full of fun.
The gamut of music presented runs from the post-Civil War era, the Victorian Age, through the birth of the twentieth century, the War to end all Wars, the Great Depression, World War II and onward to the growing pains of Rock and Roll and the onset of Camelot.
You will learn of roosters, mules and things that make you feel good. You will learn also of friends and neighbors who gave of their time, talent and resources to make this production possible.
Quite possibly the greatest learning experience you will have is realizing what a talented group of people Nevada has nestled among its tree-lined streets.
It has been eye-opening to discover the talent residing in the small town of Nevada. This is a much, much more professional production than one would expect from a town of less than ten thousand people.
The sound of many pianos tinkling in a small area of Manhattan, New York, gave rise to Tin Pan Alley. The sound was likened to a bunch of tin pans being jostled about. Use your imagination and you can easily get the picture.
Tin Pan Alley was originally a small, short street in New York on 28th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues, in what is now known as the Flatiron District.
Originally a place, Tin Pan Alley became the mother figure of wherever songs were being written, sold and performed. It became a state of mind -- a calling. Everywhere music was written during that era, it was classified as Tin Pan Alley composing. Most of the composers presented during this production were Tin Pan Alley composers having written their music in Missouri.
Back in 1885, when Tin Pan Alley first started, there were no media outlets, other than the newspaper. There was no television, movies or radio. Edison was working on the gramophone, which was to be the forerunner of the Victrola and then the phonograph. However, none of the mentioned media was available and when it finally did become available to the masses, only the rich could afford it.
The only way the common person could possibly hear the music written and peddled by each individual songwriter was to attend a theater and hear the music live.
Therefore, all music was written with the premise it would be performed before a live audience. That is the way all good music should be enjoyed for its full richness and color. Yes Virginia, music has color.
There are eight diverse individuals gracing the stage of this production. The cast is comprised of a nurse, a retired postal employee, a day-care teacher, two music teachers, an engineer, a counselor, a real-life Mr. Mom, a butcher, baker and candlestick maker. Sorry, I threw in the last three to see if you were still paying attention.
During the rehearsal, I could close my eyes and many times be taken back in time to whenever the song was written or what the song was written about.
Sometimes I imagined a summertime gazebo with a band playing or two sweethearts walking beneath an overhead trellis of flowered vines. Maybe it was a soldier, fresh from one of the great wars, singing of his sweetheart or marching to a patriotic tune. I also envisioned newfound loves praising one another in song.
The audience is invited to sing along with some of the songs. The lyrics to the songs are printed in the back of the program. It's kind of a handy thing to have around.
The Great State of Missouri has been home to such diverse individuals as Yogi Berra, Blackjack Pershing, Omar Bradley, Robert Cummings, John Huston, Thomas Hart Benton, Walt Disney, Jean Harlow, Mark Twain, Casey Stengel, Joseph Pulitzer, the journalist and the list goes on and on.
Missouri has been home to two Presidents.
All of you know Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar, Mo., right?
How many of you know the first President from Missouri?
Give up?
David Rice Atchison, for one day, officially held the office of President of the United States. Actually, his term was for not quite 24 hours. Look it up. You can win a few bets with that one.
My point being this: There were many famous people who were born and raised with good Missouri morals and ethics, tempered under fire, destined through trial, error and hard work, to aspire to fame in their chosen field.
Many of the composers highlighted in this production are not common household names and if you were to be asked to name the composer of several of the songs presented, you would probably answer with a blank stare.
Many of them I had never heard of, but the music they wrote, sold and introduced to the world, was familiar.
I know you will be pleasantly surprised not only with the local, Nevada talent showcased in this production, but you will also leave the theater with a song or two rolling around in your head.
This production is designed as a "feel good" show and believe me, it is and you will.
You can see this show on Saturday July 19th starting at 7 p.m. and again Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m.