Terrence Mann, director of “The Music Man,” gives some pointers to WCU students (from left to right) Chris McAllister, Patrick Detloff, Trevor Perry and Lance Alexander, members of the cast of WCU’s upcoming production.

Mann, who originated the role of the Beast in the Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast,” is the new Carolyn Plemmons Phillips and Ben R. Phillips Distinguished Professor of Musical Theatre at Western. “The Music Man” will be his directorial debut at Western.

“The Music Man” is the story of Harold Hill, a con man who intends to cheat the River City community by offering to equip and train a boy’s marching band, then skip town with the money. His typical scam goes amiss when he falls for the town’s librarian and tries to maintain his cover, all the while sharing a love of music with the town.

Jared Bradshaw, currently performing in the New York production of “Forbidden Broadway” through Feb. 5, will guest star as Harold Hill. A native of Atlanta, Bradshaw is a friend and apprentice of Mann.

The cast also features Western students Anthony Giordano as Tommy, Nick Belli as Charlie, Rachel Phillips as Eulalie and Rachel All as Alma. Western faculty and staff with principle roles include Terry Nienhuis, professor of English, as conductor and Terry Welch, assistant to the chancellor, as Mrs. Paroo.

Show times for all evening performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, through Saturday, Feb. 24, and 3 p.m. for the Sunday, Feb. 25, matinee.  All performances will be held in the Fine and Performing Arts Center of WCU.

Tickets are on sale now at $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and WCU faculty and staff, and $5 for students and groups of 20 or more. Reservations are highly recommended.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Fine and Performing Arts Center box office at (828) 227-2479 or visit http://wcutheatre.ticketsxchange.com.