Young Carrollwood Player Takes Show On the Road

When the national tour of The Music Man makes its way through the area, it won’t be without some local flair.

Starring in the role of Winthrop, the diffident lisping younger brother in the classic Broadway musical, is 10-year-old hometown boy and Carrollwood Players member Sebastian Hagelstein.

And it all started with a mention in passing at the dinner table.

It was a co-worker of Sebastian’s mother Georgia who suggested the then six-year-old boy try out for the local production of Oliver at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. When Georgia brought it up that evening, Sebastian seemed interested.

That began his young career on the stage.

In four years, Sebastian has gone from starring in the lead role of Oliver to roles in productions of A Christmas Carol and Cinderella to touring the country and performing in front of crowds of thousands.

“The first few times I was nervous,” Sebastian admitted about his introduction to the stage. “But, I’ve been doing it so long, I don’t anymore.”

For his jump to the national gig, it seems almost as serendipitous as his first production.

“We traveled up to New York just to see what it would be like at one of the big casting calls,” says his mother.

After taking in the experiences of the Big Apple they returned home to Tampa. Just a few days later, they received word that Sebastian had landed the part.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” she says.

The role is quite difficult Sebastian admitted, having to sing two solos with the lisp, but it is something he has experience with from the British accent he donned in the production of Oliver.

And for young Sebastian the opportunity is not just starring in a national production, but also seeing the country. Including his first ever run-in with snow.

"It was really cool,” said Sebastian. “I got to go sledding for the first time."

But four months on the road also means working with a tutor on those long bus rides to keep up with any schooling he is missing during his leave from Lee Academy for Gifted Education.

“We are all working together,” says Georgia, who is traveling with Sebastian on the 80-city tour.

When Sebastian’s father flew up to visit, he brought with him school work for Sebastian, and took back the completed work back to his teachers.

“It was an easy decision for us to let Sebastian take this opportunity," said Lou Ann Willis-Fraser, his Language Arts teacher and Lee Academy Guidance Counselor. “He is a gifted learner, and he is very motivated.  With the support system of his family, we knew this was something he could handle.”

Sebastian is even integrating the experience into his education, keeping a journal about the experience for his English class and studying each state he visits as part of his Social Studies lessons.

Searching for words to sum up the uncharacteristic adventure for such a young boy, Sebastian sounded like any other 10-year old.

“It’s really fun," he said. "It’s great.”

The touring production of The Music Man will be at the Lakewood Center’s Youkey Theater on February 16 with tickets still available for purchase at TicketMaster.