By Jabe BELL

“The Music Man,” a Broadway favorite from the 1950s, is being produced and performed live at Highlands Church, 4441 La Crescenta Ave., opening this Friday. Garnering five Tony Awards, a Grammy and spinoffs for film and television, “The Music Man” is a musical that has earned its stripes. Legendary songs like “Seventy-six Trombones” will transport audience members to River City, Iowa.

Carter Thomas, the director of Highlands Theater LA and this production of “The Music Man,” offered his thoughts on preparing for a show of this scale and grandeur.

Thomas is a born and bred La Crescenta native who started his career in musical theatre at the Glendale Centre Theatre.

“I grew up as a child actor and had the opportunity to tour alongside the Radio City Rockettes and Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ for years,” said Thomas. “Since graduating from CVHS, I’ve had the pleasure of writing and directing musical theater.”

His credits in musical theater are undeniable, and his experience nearly guarantees that “The Music Man” will be a show not to be missed.

His experience with “The Music Man” extends to his time as a child actor when he performed as the play’s character Winthrop Paroo and his love for the play continues today.

        “‘The Music Man’ tells a story about learning to have hope and opening one’s eyes to the beauty in everyday life,” he said. “The characters are fun, entertaining and relatable, offering something for everyone to enjoy.”

He added that the venue of Highlands Church allows for this version of “The Music Man” to flourish.

“I’ve been attending Highlands my entire life and love this community so much,” he said adding that Highlands is “beautiful.”

It compares to other great performance spaces,” he said. “Its unique stage configuration allows us to create shows that are fresh and distinctive.

‘The Music Man’ is a huge production, and I believe Highlands is the perfect space to perform it.”

However a stage means nothing without an all-star cast. “The Music Man” is a huge production, with 40 cast members of all ages. Christopher Showerman and Kate Ponzio star as Harold Hill and Marian Paroo. Kara Gibson serves as music director and Sylvie Gosse as

choreographer.

The show’s development provided Thomas with the opportunity to collaborate with his siblings Rebecca, Tracey and Philip who served as assistant director, stage manager and technical director reflecting that in many ways, “The Music Man” at Highlands Theater is truly a labor of love.

“The Music Man” runs from Aug. 16 through Aug. 25 at Highlands Church. Tickets range from $16.88-$22.13 and available at https://www.simpletix.com/e/the-music-man-tickets-164204.