Fairmont grad A.J. Breslin, 22, starred in the high school productions of “The Secret Garden,” “Les Miserables” and “Jekyll and Hyde.”
He currently serves as a resident artist for Dare to Defy Productions and Playground Theatre and is the acting coach for “The Music Man.”
Katie Breslin, a 17-year-old senior, plays Maud Dunlop, one of the town gossips.
“It’s super-fun. Two of my best friends, Reilly and Imari are Pick-a-little Ladies,” said Kate Breslin, who has experience as Honey Singleton in the school’s production of “Hairspray.”
Michael Breslin, 15, plays a member of the Barbershop Quartet.
“My favorite song is ‘Sincere,’ because I’m the lead in that song,” said Michael Breslin, who played young Kane in the Dare to Defy “Children of Eden” production last November. “Singing is a great way to express your emotions and a great way to connect with the audience.”
The youngest, Danny, is 11 and in the fifth grade. He won the coveted role that Ron Howard originally played, Winthrop Paroo. He’s enjoying the role of Marian’s shy, lisping brother.
“I like playing a little kid, and (playing Winthrop) makes me feel younger because he’s only 8 and has all these grammar mistakes,” said Danny Breslin. “And acting with my family makes me feel great and really happy inside.”
The family indicated that the oldest sister, Lindsay, would also love to be involved in this musical, but she’s busy studying at Ohio State University.
“The opportunity for them to get to act together in a musical and have their older brother A.J. help to direct them is very special. We feel blessed to have been given this opportunity,” said Leanne Breslin, their mom. “We are thrilled to have four of our five children involved in Fairmont’s final musical in the old theatre.”
The Crawfords will also be making music on the old theater’s stage. Sarah Crawford stars as Marian Paroo. Her brother Andrew, a freshman, is a member of the ensemble, and 12-year-old brother Kyle is a member of the band.
“I love sharing something I love doing with my brothers,” Sarah Crawford said. “I had never seen Andrew sing or dance except when I forced him to do it in our living room. He loves it; he’s having so much fun.”
The other major character, Harold Hill, is played by Seth Eggenschwiller.
“The Music Man” is iconic, Eggenschwiller said. “You learn a lot of lessons you can apply to your own life.”
There is another reason that Fairmont High School is returning to an iconic musical set in Iowa in 1912. Director Matthew Koehler starred as Harold Hill while attending high school in Louisville, Ohio.
“The Music Man” was released back in 1962 and won an Academy Award for Best Original Music Score. It’s about a con man, a band, a librarian and, of course, great music.
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 6-8, with an additional matinee performance at 2 p.m. Saturday. It takes place at the Fairmont High auditorium, 3301 Shroyer Road.
For more information, call 937-499-2647 or go online to www.Ketteringmusic.org.
Contact this contributing writer at PamDillon@woh.rr.com.
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