After 46 previews, 374 performances, 53 broken box office records, over 610,000 audience members, countless “whatdayatalks,” tossed books, cymbal crashes and a lot of Trouble, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man has concluded its record-breaking, much-loved run on January 15, 2023. Leaving River City…all aboard!
Thank you seventy-six times over to the audiences that joined us during the run of Meredith Willson's The Music Man at the Winter Garden Theatre. Our hearts are full — we were truly glad to have you with us.
📸: @andyhenderson
"My fondest memory at the Winter Garden Theatre was the first ever preview show — that was such and awesome night! The Broadway veterans of the show have taught me to never give up and keep trying.” - Ethen Green-Younger
“When I first started in the show I was really hard on myself when I messed up. I was used to competition dancing where you get one chance each competition to do your best and if you mess up it will affect your score. Over time, my cast mates helped me to understand that it's okay to move on and not take it so hard if I made a mistake. Hugh and Sutton have been great role models because they encourage us to always have fun and do our best. I will take these lessons with me throughout my life and apply them to any other opportunity I have.” - Audrina Brudner
“I have learned that surrounding yourself with great people makes the job more exciting! I have also learned that if you love what you’re doing everyday, it doesn’t feel like a job, and that’s the perfect way to sum up The Music Man!” - Devin Lugo
“I will miss all of the incredible people in the cast and company. I have loved getting to know them and doing our pre-show traditions. I have had the most WONDERFUL time on and off the stage with each of them! We are family and I am so blessed to be a part of this AMAZING company and will truly miss everyone!” - William Thomas Colin
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📸 @abrunkus
"I have many wonderful memories of our time at the Winter Garden. Certainly standing on the stage for the first time was a signature moment. Whenever I experience that it brings a real sense of being in an historical place and cementing our own little place in that Broadway history." - Remy Auberjonois, Charlie Cowell
"My favorite Music Man memory is from the day we moved into the theatre. We had some time to make our way around the building to meet and greet. As I did, I realized that I had friends working on the show, representing all of the previous shows I had done on Broadway - crew, orchestra, costume, makeup, house staff - familiar faces all around. I have never felt my connection to this community more than in that moment." - Sean Montgomery, Ensemble, U/S Harold Hill & Marcellus Washburn
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📸 @abrunkus
“My fondest memory at the Winter Garden was the day I was told I was going to be playing Amaryllis as well as keeping my dance track. I was sitting in the audience while Hugh and Sutton were rehearsing on stage. Jerry Zaks, Warren Carlyle and Sara Edwards came to tell me and I remember thinking, is this really happening? It was a moment I will never ever forget!” - @emilyjewel7 , Amaryllis
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📸 @abrunkus
“It goes without saying that I'll miss being on stage with this fantastic group of artists. What I'll miss most, however, is the laughter. From the time I hit the dressing room, we are already acting foolish. I know that hair and wardrobe won't miss us running to their departments at the very last moment because we've been upstairs giggling uncontrollably about everything or nothing at all. The best thing is that the hilarity continues when the curtain rises.” - @andreajonessojola “Opening Night still feels like something out of a movie, it was so special. Getting to perform for so many familiar faces and then walk the red carpet with everyone I love is something i will always cherish in my heart.” - @mitchtobin2000 “My fondest memory is tie between meeting my dressing rooms gals for the first time - an explosion of love that calmed my nerves - and playing opposite Hugh and Max on my one month anniversary of beginning rehearsals! I will leave here with a very full and happy heart.” - @laurblackman
“I have played Mayor Shinn in St. Louis, Washington, and New Haven but my first introduction to the role was seeing Paul Ford’s Mayor Shinn in the 1962 film of THE MUSIC MAN. At the end of the day, I will miss the incredibly committed, dedicated, talented people onstage and backstage of this extraordinary company!” - Mark Linn-Baker
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📸 @abrunkus
"I will miss the family that we’ve created here. It’s hard to think about. I’ve made life-long friends, and I’m so incredibly grateful for that. Hugh, Sutton, and the entire cast have taught me that the most important thing to remember is to have fun on stage. That’s the biggest gift that you can give to yourself and to all the people who came to see you." - @benjamin.pajak , Winthrop
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📸 @abrunkus
