The Music Man opens Playhouse’s fall season

In 1957, Meredith Wilson, a young man from Iowa who had come East to study at The Julliard School in New York, opened a play on Broadway, called The Music Man about a little town in Iowa. Wilson, a triple-treat talent, wrote the book, music, and lyrics for The Music Man, with the heart of a man who grew up in perhaps one of the most gentle, innocent times in America. His play, The Music Man, went on to become one of the top 10 musicals in the history of American musical theater.

The Cumberland County Playhouse will open its fall season Sept. 17 ay 7:30 p.m. with this carefully chosen musical well known for bringing audiences doses of pure joy for almost 50 years.

“With all the woes and pressures of the world, the worries and fears we all share, it seems The Music Man is what we all need,” said Jim Crabtree, producing director. “The Playhouse couldn’t think of a better antidote to such problems than to laugh and sing together along with the people River City, Iowa, small town America. We have such an incredible professional and volunteer company to play the parents and grandparents of River City,” he said, “and we also have an especially talented group of children and teens to portray the young people of the town right now.

“River City is a town very much like Crossville, McMinnville, Athens, Livingston, Sparta, Jamestown, Pikeville, and the like?and the small town spirit that still lives in places like Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville,” said Crabtree.

Crabtree went on to say that the Playhouse has Terry Schwab in his performing prime ready to present another rendition of his Harold Hill character. “We couldn’t resist pairing him with Nicole Begue (Christine in Phantom) and her glorious soprano ringing with “Trouble” and love for the Music Man, as Marian the Librarian,” he said. “We also couldn’t resist the idea of comedic masters Jason Ross and Carol Irvin as Mayor and Mrs. Shinn, Britt Hancock as big, Marcellus, and the soothing strength of Weslie Webster as Mrs. Paroo?just to name a few.. The Playhouse stars are out in force,” he said.

The songs are so much a part of American life that most people recognize them even if they’ve never seen The Music Man with selections like: “Ya Got Trouble,” “Good Night, My Someone,” 76 Trombones,” “Good Night Ladies,” “Gary, Indiana,” and “Till There Was You.”

The Music Man is for everybody who loves small town America, barber shop harmony, hauntingly memorable ballads, brass bands, and a great story about how one person can make a difference and everyone should try. It is for people who remember good natured, small town politics in a time when a new pool table was the greatest danger faced by parents trying to raise wholesome kids?and a pretty music teacher was the raciest subject of gossip for main street’s delightedly scandalized ladies.

“The Music Man has it all: Laughter, romance, kids, melodies, harmonies, heartstrings, and joy,” said Crabtree. “You’ll leave the theater feeling proud of your roots and hopeful about what can still be accomplished in this world.”