Understudies to the rescue, once again! Standby Max Clayton made his debut in Broadway's The Music Man as Professor Harold Hill June 14, filling in for Hugh Jackman, who is out with COVID. See Clayton, who will be in the role at the Winter Garden Theatre through June 21, take his first bow above.
Clayton leads the Meredith Willson revival after a long career as a Broadway ensemblist, appearing in On the Town; Gigi; Something Rotten!; Bandstand; Hello, Dolly!; Pretty Woman: The Musical; and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. He was nominated for Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show at the 2017 Chita Rivera Awards for his work in Bandstand, and he's appeared regionally at Paper Mill Playhouse, Signature Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, The Muny, and North Shore Music Theatre.
“Once again, standbys and understudies save the day and, in this case, it’s Max Clayton to the rescue," said producer Kate Horton in an earlier statement. "We’re excited to see him perform alongside the wonderful Sutton Foster and we wish Hugh a speedy recovery.”
The Music Man stars Tony winners Sutton Foster as Marian Paroo, Shuler Hensley as Marcellus Washburn, Jefferson Mays as Mayor Shinn, Jayne Houdyshell as Mrs. Shinn, and Marie Mullen as Mrs. Paroo.
The cast also includes Remy Auberjonois as Charlie Cowell, Gino Cosculluela as Tommy Djilas, Emma Crow as Zaneeta Shinn, Benjamin Pajak as Winthrop, Kayla Teruel as Amaryllis, Garrett Long as Ethel Toffelmier, Linda Mugleston as Alma Hix, Jessica Sheridan as Maud Dunlop, Rema Webb as Mrs. Squires, Tony nominee Phillip Boykin as Olin Britt, Eddie Korbich as Jacey Squires, Daniel Torres as Ewart Dunlop, and Nicholas Ward as Oliver Hix.
Rounding out the ensemble are Nick Alvino, Jordan Beall, Ronnie S. Bowman Jr., Maria Briggs, Audrey Cardwell, JT Church, Kammie Crum, Aydin Eyikan, Carlee Flanagan, Ethen Green-Younger, Emily Hoder, Curtis Holland, Eloise Kropp, Ethan Lafazan, Kayla LaVine, Andrew Minard, Sean Montgomery, Tanner Quirk, Lance Roberts, Daniel Patrick Russell, Ann Sanders, Sherisse Springer, Mitchell Tobin, Kathy Voytko, Branch Woodman, and Ryan Worsing.
The Music Man, which features a book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, tells the story of what happens when con artist Harold Hill arrives in River City and falls in love with the straight-laced librarian, Marian. The work first opened on Broadway in 1957 at the Majestic Theatre. A 2000 revival played the Neil Simon Theatre.
Jerry Zaks directs the new production of the musical, which also features choreography by Warren Carlyle, sets and costumes by Santo Loquasto, sound design by Scott Lehrer, lighting by Brian MacDevitt, vocal and dance arrangements by David Chase, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, and music direction by Patrick Vaccariello.
