Eli Doell as Professor Harold Hill and ensemble rehearse choreography for "Seventy-Six Trombones" in TMTO's "The Music Man," scheduled Dec. 9-17 at the Craterian Theater.

Cailey McCandless decided to shake things up for the holidays with Teen Musical Theater of Oregon’s production of “The Music Man.” Performances are scheduled at the Craterian Theater over two weekends, Dec. 9-17.

In her eighth year as TMTO program director, McCandless had just wrapped up a season of Disney titles, contemporary musicals and fairy tales.

“So, we decided to produce two Golden Age musicals, beginning with ‘The Music Man’ in December,” she said.

“It’s important to us to give our performers exposure to family-friendly musicals of all types, so they’re learning and growing in their understanding of the full genre.”

The bonus is that the production isn’t just a lesson in the art form for the students, it’s a spectacle that will have audiences humming along to Meredith Wilson’s iconic melodies and enjoying the exuberance of TMTO’s young performers.

“The production offers our cast members the chance to learn about a different era in our history,” she said. “And we’re sure that audiences are going to love this throwback to simpler times.”

Experienced leads

The cast of “The Music Man” is led by Eli Doell as Professor Harold Hill and Kaiya Bagley as Marian the Librarian.

“Eli and Kaiya have grown up in TMTO,” McCandless said, “and have both carried many productions for us. Eli was our Prince in ‘Cinderella,’ Shrek in ‘Shrek the Musical,’ and Ren McCormack in ‘Footloose.’ Kaiya was our Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ Fairy Godmother in ‘Cinderella,’ and Fiona in ‘Shrek the Musical.’ They are both incredible performers.”

Cast members range in age from 10 to 19 and rehearsals started early. “The Music Man” is a full-scale book musical with big musical numbers, comedic characters, and compelling scenes.

“We’ve had our work cut out for us,” McCandless said. “But it is always the greatest joy shepherding our casts through our rehearsal processes, watching them learn from each other and develop their skills as singers, dancers and actors.”

She said it is particularly gratifying to watch the 10-year-olds working alongside the high schoolers.

“It’s a wider-than-normal age bracket in this cast,” she said. “The dynamic that creates in the room is so heartwarming.”

Full orchestrations

Audiences will be treated to full-orchestra arrangements. TMTO produces all its musicals with pre-recorded live orchestrations rather than tracks of synthesized instruments.

“That allows us to have the sound of a professional pit, but within the limitations and realities of our production process and budget,” McCandless said.

“The Music Man” is about residents of a town who overcome their differences when inspired by music, song and dance. Characters learn to believe in and be inspired by ideas that are bigger than themselves.

By turns funny, warm, romantic and touching, “The Music Man” includes many familiar tunes, including “Ya Got Trouble,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Pickalittle (Talk-a-Little),” “Goodnight Ladies,” “Marian the Librarian,” “Shipoopi,” “Lida Rose,” “Gary, Indiana,” and “Till There Was You,” and many more.

Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 9-17. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $15 for children and students ages 22 and younger.

Auditions for the spring production, yet to be named, are right around the corner. Audition information can be found at craterian.org, where you can also purchase tickets to shows.

Cut her teeth with TMTO

McCandless’s relationship with TMTO began long before her being hired as program director. She cut her teeth performing in Teen Musical Theater productions and even choreographed a TMTO show when she was a senior at St. Mary’s School in Medford.

Inspired by the experience, she went on to graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in theater at Northwestern University in Chicago, did a company management internship with Cirque du Soleil in Los Angeles, and performed and danced at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

She returned to the Rogue Valley in late 2016 to run the program that meant so much to her growing up. As program director of TMTO, she carries most of the administrative load. But she also fills creative team roles on shows the company produces.

“During college, I realized how much I love teaching and working with high schoolers,” she said. “TMTO has always occupied an indelible place in my heart.”

McCandless practically grew up in the Craterian Theater. She was 6 when her family moved from California to Medford about 26 years ago. Her dad, Stephen McCandless, had accepted the position of executive director of the Craterian, a job he continues to hold today.

“I watched my dad negotiate and book acts, saw almost every show, artist, celebrity and act that came to town,” she said.

“I ran follow spot, filled stagehand positions for touring shows while I was in high school, and performed in musicals on stage. So much of my theater background and education was shaped by my exposure to all aspects of the arts growing up.”

She enjoys helping Rogue Valley youngsters discover their talents and giving them an opportunity to shine.

“Helping them achieve the potential we see in them makes me giddy!” she said.

Some day one of them may be leading her own Disney parade or taking a Broadway bow. And Cailey McCandless will be among those busting their buttons with pride.