If you ask anyone in NWI if they have performed for, auditioned for, know someone who has performed for, know someone who has auditioned for, seen a play done by, or worked backstage for Jerry Reinhart's Ross Music Theatre they will probably say that they know of someone. One reason is Ross Music Theatre has been around since 1963 with the same two people
in charge Jerry and Margilee Reinhart. The other reason is the number of families that are involved every year. Ross Music Theatre has always
been a place where many families have performed together and this year seems to really stress that point. This year the DeLaughter family from
Crown Point has everyone in the show except mom. Doug, plays big Josh while his son Ethan, plays the role of Billy, and his daughter Hanna,
plays Cynthia Benson. Clayton St Martin, plays little Josh and his father Gary, plays, what else, Little Josh's, father. Mary Ann Reeves is
recreating her role as Susan and her daughter Katie is in chorus and a dancer in the show. Bob McGukin, plays Mr. MacMillian, and his
daughter Maddie, plays Cynthia Benson's , Friend and his son Matt, is also in the youth chorus. Then there are the Reinharts. Jerauld and Margilee Reinhart once again have their daughter in law Melinda Reinhart (who by the way will take over as choir director at Merrillville High School the Job Jerry Reinhart once held for 39 years) playing the part of Josh's mother. Melinda's Husband Mike was one of the big lighted keyboard designers and in charge of all technical aspects of the show
from lighting to 32 cordless mics. Their son Jacob, who played the 18 month old baby in their last production of "Big" is now 10 years old and
performs with his 6 year old brother Lucas, as one of Josh and Billy's Friends in the youth chorus. With so many families and casts and crews
of 100 and 40 years of performances it may be hard to find even 6 degrees of separation.
"BIG The musical" is based on the 1987 hit Tom Hanks Movie. Show dates are July 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7:30 and July 22 and 29 at 3:00 PM at
Reinhart Auditorium in Merrillville high School for Ticket prices in advance are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for Seniors and Students through High School and $8.00 for Children 12 and under Ticket
at the door are 2.00 more for adults and seniors and students but children are still $8.00 for more information please call 219-769-2864
or 219-947-4922 or on the web at www.m-mproductions.com
Opening this weekend BIG the musical. This production is BIG in every sense of the word. With it’s Big dance numbers, big band sound, big cast and crew ( over 100), big stage and BIG sets this is a musical you don’t want to miss this summer. Based on the 1987 Tom Hanks hit movie it has all the charm of the film plus some great musical numbers. Jerry Reinhart said he has never had to work so hard on a show and that’s saying a lot as he’s has been doing summer shows f since 1963. M & M and Ross Music Theatre Premiered the first version of this show in 1999 not only the first in the area but one of the first two theatre groups to do this in the US. The creators of the show have done some changing to “BIG” since 1999 so this will be the first time this version of the show has been done in NWI. So if you want to see something different this Summer come out and enjoy Ross Music Theatre and M & M Productions BIG: The Musical. Performances are at Reinhart Auditorium in Merrillville High School July 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7:30 PM and July 22 and 29 at 3:00 PM
