For some, the event was a new experience and a family affair.
Gov. John Engler said he brought his wife and triplets to see the show.
“I wanted my girls to see a classical musical with good production,” Engler said. “This was the perfect play for such an experience.”
The musical’s plot revolves around scam artist Harold Hill, who visits the small town River City, Iowa. His smooth talking and charming looks help convince the townspeople he can turn their young boys and girls into a marching band, and that he is a marching band conductor.
Most in the town eagerly support his proposal with cash for uniforms, instrument books and instruments.
Hill’s plans begin to crumble when the town’s librarian, Marian Paroo, researches his claims and finds them false. But the duped town folk continue to buy into Hill’s scam until the mayor of River City questions his credentials.
Albert Parker, a retired school teacher, plays the mayor.
“I am the antagonist after Harold Hill,” Parker said. “I play Mayor Shinn, it’s a good part in the play - the mayor is an interesting guy.”
Paroo chooses not to expose Hill to the town because she falls in love with him. As the play moves from scene to scene, Hill no longer wants to be a scam artist because he also has fallen in love with Paroo, and grown closer to her once-introverted little brother.
During the last scene of the play, Hill is brought to the town center and forced to prove he can direct the band, which shows up in uniform with instruments.
“Think like a band,” says a desperate Hill, played by Gerritt Vandermeer.
“The Music Man” was first performed on Broadway in 1957. The original play was inspired by Willson’s childhood experiences in Mason City, Iowa, and since then it’s been widely performed by community theater, high schools and professional groups alike.
Parker said the cast of 36 competed with 3,000 people auditioning for the musical.
“The show has outstanding dancers and choreography,” Parker said. “The people cast for this show are very professional.”
Parker said cast members had a chance to see the play on Broadway before they began performing.
Marie Green, a resident of Shepherd, said she saw “The Music Man” many years ago in New York City.
“It has been years since I’ve seen this play,” Green said. “But the lighting and the stage in this revived one is much better.”
Green was recently in New York as a Red Cross volunteer, and saw several Broadway shows while she was there.
“This show is even better than some shows I saw during my three-week stay in New York,” Green said.
“The Music Man” runs 7:30 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at Wharton Center’s Great Hall Ticket prices range from $30.50 - $50. For ticket information, call The Wharton Center Box Office at (517)432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON.
