'One day he will be on Broadway.' Tuslaw grad bringing musical he created to local stage

LAWRENCE TWP. – Randolph McFarren decided he wanted to try his hand at creating a musical during his freshman year at Tuslaw High School.

"I always had these ideas and I thought I might as well write one," the 17-year-old said. "The process was grueling, to say the least. I've had some ups and downs but I got to work."

"Sense & Sensibility" never made it to the stage. But his second musical, "Mansfield Park," will come to life June 9 and 10 at Puffenberger Hall in Canal Fulton.

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McFarren, who graduated this year and has dreams of heading to Broadway, brings to life the story of Fanny Price, a girl sent to live with wealthy relatives, through music, a vivid set and beautiful costumes.

The musical is based on the Jane Austen novel of the same name.

McFarren said Austen's works are relatable and have themes that are still relevant in modern day.

Coming from a musical family — his father, Chris, once served as the McKinley band director and his siblings are all talented — McFarren used his abilities and classes such as music theory in high school to guide him to create the musical.

He began writing "Mansfield Park" about a year ago.

"My friend and I joke it's my baby. How ironic it took nine months (to complete)," said McFarren.

He wrote the score as well as created and hand-sewed all of the costumes.

"I've been sewing since the seventh grade," he explained. "It is one of my other passions. I got it from my grandmother."

A melting pot of good people

The show includes about 25 actors and 11 orchestra pit members from across the state, including McFarren's friends, former choir director, his sister and his father, who will lead the pit.

"It's a big melting pot," he said. "Rehearsals are such fun. They are the best people in the whole universe. My favorite thing about the show is how their personalities shine through with their parts. They feel so human on stage."

Family and friends have volunteered to help get the show on stage. He's enlisted their help to build the set and get the word out about the show.

McFarren said he searched for a place to hold the event and Northwest worked with him to secure the venue. He saved more than $2,400 to rent the theater, which he earned working at Here for You in Canal Fulton.

McFarren loves working with children and earned an associate degree while in the R.G. Drage early childhood program and also secured his child development association credential.

"Working with children is the most interesting experience and fulfilling," he said. "There's no better feeling than a child giving you a hug and telling you they love you."

He jokes that someday he might combine his love of kids and music and put on a production of "West Side Story" using toddlers.

On his way to Broadway

McFarren will attend Kent State University and study theater.

He said this musical is a steppingstone to greater things, adding his first foray into the musical world taught him so much. "Sense and Sensibility" helped him to learn how to put together a musical, skills he built upon when creating his newest work.

His ultimate goal is to have his own work debut on Broadway.

"Obviously I want a musical I wrote on the Great White Way," he said. "I have to dream big."

While McFarren is well known for his performances on stage, including Daddy Warbucks in Tuslaw's production of "Annie" earlier this year, he said he would rather be on the other side directing.

"Performing is fun, I guess I have a knack for it, but I love just giving directions and being in the background and making sure it all comes together. That is my forte."

McFarren's mother, Leatha McFarren, knows her son will find his way to Broadway.

She wasn't surprised when he told her he was going to take on this project.

"If anyone could make it happen, it's him," his mother said. "He's very determined."

That's something he has shown time and time again, she said.

A few years ago, McFarren told his mother he wanted to be drum major of the Tuslaw Marching Band, but he didn't know how to twirl a baton.

With the help of YouTube, he taught himself how to twirl. For the past two years, he led the marching band.

"He made it on the line and he was fabulous," Leatha McFarren gushed. "Everywhere we went the crowds were cheering for him."

In another instance, McFarren told his mother he was going to learn how to play the piano to be part of the jazz band. So he learned how to play.

"Whenever he sees something he just goes for it," she said. "I know one day he will be on Broadway, which is his ultimate goal."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

If you go

What: "Mansfield Park," a musical created by 2023 Tuslaw High graduate Randolph McFarren

When: 7 p.m. June 9 and 10

Where: Northwest High School's Puffenberger Hall, 8580 Erie Ave. NW, Canal Fulton.

Cost: Tickets are $10 and available at the door.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Tuslaw grad Randolph McFarren bringing musical to local stage