This One Is No Child’s Play

Is Harold Hill, the Broadway musical’s greatest shyster, too much for kids?

Perhaps he used to be. Not anymore, though. In fact, in the Brea Youth Theatre revival of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” at the Curtis Theatre, old Harold is a tad boring.

Randy Catiller as Harold has the con man’s Cheshire Cat grin and brimming confidence but lacks the commanding talking-singing voice that Willson tailored to the talents of Robert Preston.

Granted, no group of post-toddler to late teen actors (with some critical adult casting) is going to offer a reincarnation of Robert Preston. But Catiller can sometimes be barely heard above the chorus of onstage voices and music directors Alison English and Cindy Wildman’s loud, grating synthesized recording.

“The Music Man” appears too tough an assignment for this crew, under Janice Kraus’ direction. From the tongue-twisting opening number, “Rock Island” (an astonishing salute to salesmen) on, the young actors struggle.

*

As Harold’s love interest, Marian, Sari Poll displays the show’s best voice. Islean Kirker as River City’s most difficult youth, Tommy, shows some real stage charisma.

Kraus shows little interest in speeding things along. With numerous long set changes and time-consuming entrances and exits by the huge chorus, 2 1/2 hours is a pretty long sit. Harold blows in and out of River City, and “The Music Man” should whip along at Harold’s chugging speed. This version feels stuck in the slow lane.

* “The Music Man,” Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Drive, Brea. Thursday-Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. (714) 990-7722. $7.50-$9.50. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

A Brea Youth Theatre production of Meredith Willson’s musical. Directed by Janice Kraus. Music directors: Alison English and Cindy Wildman. Set: Proscenery. Choreography: Aimee Mauzey. Stage manager: Tracee Voeltz.