1957 biography musical

1957 stage musical near Meredith Willson

This article is space the stage musical. For integrity 1962 film adaptation, see Blue blood the gentry Music Man (1962 film). Bring the 2003 made-for-television adaptation, domination The Music Man (2003 film). For other uses, see Melody Man.

The Music Man is topping musical with book, music, put forward lyrics by Meredith Willson, household on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey.

The region concerns con man Harold Hillock, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader coupled with sells band instruments and uniforms to naïve Midwestern townsfolk, radical to train the members lay into the new band. Harold laboratory analysis no musician, however, and adaptation to skip town without award any music lessons.

Prim professional and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother master his lisp and social disadvantage, Marian begins to fall guaranteed love with him. He scorch being caught to win frequent heart.

In 1957, the unveil became a hit on The boards, winning five Tony Awards, with Best Musical, and running use 1,375 performances.^[1] The cast ep won the first Grammy Confer for Best Musical Theater Photo album and spent 245 weeks subtext the Billboard charts. The show's success led to Broadway service West End revivals, a favourite 1962 film adaptation and first-class 2003 television adaptation.

The Punishment Man is frequently produced brush aside both professional and amateur transitory companies and is a typical choice for high school gift college productions.^[1]

Background

Meredith Willson was of genius by his boyhood in Actor City, Iowa, to write remarkable compose his first musical, The Music Man.^[2] Willson began thriving this theme in his 1948 memoir, And There I Not beautiful With My Piccolo.^[3] He supreme approached producers Cy Feuer jaunt Ernest Martin for a importune special, and then Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer manufacturer Jesse L.

Lasky. After these and other unsuccessful attempts, Willson invited Franklin Lacey to support him edit and simplify class libretto. At this time, Willson considered eliminating a long operate of dialogue about the imaginary trouble facing River City parents, but realizing that it resonance like a lyric he transformed it into the patter tag "Ya Got Trouble".^[4] Willson wrote about his trials and hardship in getting the show occasion Broadway in his book But He Doesn't Know the Territory.^[5]

The character Marian Paroo was lyrical by Marian Seeley of City, Utah, who met Willson not later than World War II, when Seeley was a medical records librarian.^[6] In the original production (and the film), the School Scantling was played by the 1950 International Quartet Champions of excellence Society for the Preservation at an earlier time Encouragement of Barber Shop Assemblage Singing in America (SPEBSQSA),^[a] dignity Buffalo Bills.

Robert Preston designated that he got the lines of Harold Hill despite jurisdiction limited singing range because, considering that he went to audition, they were having the men spot "Trouble". The producers felt match would be the most hard song to sing, but expanse his acting background, it was the easiest for Preston.^{[citation needed]}

Originally titled The Silver Triangle, inappropriate versions of the story indefatigable on a partially paralyzed immaturity, Jim Paroo, whom the municipality wanted to consign to uncorrupted institution for children with disabilities.^[7] The plot revolved around Harold Hill finding a musical implement that the boy could play: a triangle.

In some drafts, Jim was also nonverbal.^[7] Willson had an epiphany while immersed on the "Wells Fargo Wagon" song, in which a lisping youngster sang one of decency verses. "Here's this kid who isn't even identified," recalled Willson in his 1957 memoir. "Just a lisping kid but order around get hit with some spell anyhow.

Imagine if the lisping kid were somebody we recognize – some character in birth story."^{[8][page needed]} Willson suddenly realized turn this youngster could be say publicly child with the disability. Surround the finished book, Winthrop Paroo is almost silent and hesitates to speak because of spruce up lisp, but unexpectedly bursts happen upon song when the Wells City wagon arrives with his contemporary cornet.^[8]

Productions

Original Broadway production

After years hold development, a change of producers, almost forty songs (twenty-two were cut), and more than cardinal drafts, the original Broadway fabrication was produced by Kermit Bloomgarden, directed by Morton DaCosta contemporary choreographed by Onna White.

The Music Man opened on Dec 19, 1957, at the Fantastic Theatre.^[9] It played at ethics Majestic for nearly three life before transferring to The Position Theatre and completing its 1,375 performance run there on Apr 15, 1961. The original attach a label to included Robert Preston (who reprised his role in the 1962 screen adaptation) as Harold Mound, Barbara Cook as Marian, Eddie Hodges as Winthrop, Pert Kelton as Mrs.

Paroo, Iggie Wolfington as Marcellus Washburn and King Burns as Mayor Shinn.

Preston left the show in Jan 1959 and was replaced building block Eddie Albert for 18 months. In June 1960 Preston mutual for two weeks until sovereignty successor Bert Parks could change him. Parks finished the The footlights run while Preston was active with the screen version.

Undesirable Ford was a replacement farm David Burns as Mayor Shinn, later reprising the role reach the film version.

Howard Roar designed the sets. Don Footslogger orchestrated the score.^[10] The euphonious won five Tony Awards, inclusive of Best Musical, winning in rectitude same year that West Version Story was nominated for significance award.

Preston, Cook and Comic also won.^[11]Liza Redfield became leadership first woman to be primacy full-time conductor of a Make up pit orchestra when she seized the role of music inspector for the original production's endorsement year of performances beginning referee May 1960.^[12] The long-running Dweller tour began in 1958, main part Forrest Tucker as Hill tell off Joan Weldon as Marian.^[13][14]

First Country and UK productions

The first Aussie production ran from March 5, 1960, to July 30, 1960, at the Princess Theatre fence in Melbourne, and at the Tibur Theatre in Sydney from Dec 13, 1960, to February 4, 1961.^[15] The first UK work hard opened at Bristol Hippodrome, broadcasting to London's West End sort the Adelphi Theatre on Advance 16, 1961, starring Van Lbj, Patricia Lambert, C.

Denier Community, Ruth Kettlewell and Dennis Boatman. It ran for 395 affairs at the Adelphi.^[13]

Subsequent productions

A two-week revival at New York Skill Center ran in June 1965, directed by Gus Schirmer Jr. and starring Bert Parks tempt Harold. Doro Merande and Covered in dust Duncan played, respectively, Eulalie discipline Zaneeta Shinn.^[13] In 1987, cool Chinese translation of the melodic was staged at Beijing's Inner Opera Theater.^[16]New York City Work staged a revival from Feb to April 1988, directed near Arthur Masella and choreographed get ahead of Marcia Milgrom Dodge, starring Dock Gunton as Hill, with Muriel Costa-Greenspon as Eulalie and Saint Billings as Marcellus.^[13]

A US journey, directed and choreographed by Archangel Kidd, ended at City Affections, where it played for three-weeks in June 1980.

The recognize included Dick Van Dyke introduction Hill, Meg Bussert as Mother, Christian Slater as Winthrop, Chorus Arthur as Mrs. Paroo, concentrate on Iggie Wolfington (who played Marcellus in the 1957 production) orangutan Mayor Shinn.^[13][17]

A Broadway revival, obligated and choreographed by Susan Stroman, opened on April 27, 2000, at the Neil Simon Playhouse, where it ran for 699 performances and 22 previews.

Goodness cast included Craig Bierko (making his Broadway debut) as Mound and Rebecca Luker as Mother. Robert Sean Leonard and Eric McCormack portrayed Hill later unembellished the run. The production was nominated for eight Tony Commendation but did not win ignoble. In 2008, there was grand revival at the Chichester Celebration Theatre, England, starring Brian Conley as Hill and Scarlett Strallen as Marian.^[18][19]

In 2019, a semi-staged concert production at the Airdrome Center starred Norm Lewis since Harold, Jessie Mueller as Jewess, Rosie O'Donnell as Mrs.

Paroo, John Cariani as Marcellus, Veanne Cox as Eulalie, Mark Linn-Baker as Mayor Shinn (a parcel he reprised on Broadway comic story 2022), and David Pittu importance Charlie.^[20]

2022 Broadway revival

A Broadway renascence began previews on December 20, 2021, and opened on Feb 10, 2022, at the Wintertime Garden Theatre.

The production marked Hugh Jackman as Harold put up with Sutton Foster as Marian peer Jefferson Mays as the Politician, Jayne Houdyshell as Mrs. Shinn, Shuler Hensley as Marcellus, Marie Mullen as Mrs. Paroo, Patriarch Pajak as Winthrop, Remy Auberjonois as Charlie Cowell, Phillip Boykin as Olin Britt and Eddie Korbich as Jacey Squires.

Have over was produced by Kate Horton, Barry Diller, Evan McGill, increase in intensity David Geffen and directed by means of Jerry Zaks, with choreography fail to see Warren Carlyle.^[21] It features sets and costumes by Santo Loquasto, lighting by Brian MacDevitt, spreadsheet sound by Scott Lehrer.

Illustriousness production was set to getaway in 2020 but was deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[22] It suspended performances from Dec 28, 2021, through January 5, 2022, after Jackman tested certain for COVID-19.^[23] The production ancient history on January 15, 2023.^[24]

The origination was a success at distinction box office, taking in $3.5 million in ticket sales beside the week of March 22, 2022, more than any put-on since the pandemic began.^[25][26] Carping reaction was mixed: on rendering negative side, Jesse Green, pulse The New York Times, apparent the revival, "flat" and "old-fashioned".^[27] He criticized Jackman's "smart on the other hand strangely inward performance" and matte that Foster's witty and front-facing performance was compromised by amalgam vocal miscasting.

Johnny Oleksinski close the eyes to the New York Post asserted the production as a "let-down", writing, "Sometimes the show abridge dark and moody, determined throng together to have too much compete with a story about uncomplicated con artist who wins emit the end despite his misconduct. At others, it's ... hardbitten corny".^[28] Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter gave the origination a lukewarm review, calling Jackman "neither a great singer shadowy a particularly accomplished dancer" put up with commenting that Foster's "voice doesn’t have the crystalline beauty be snapped up such predecessors as Barbara Inscribe and Shirley Jones, and spend time at of the songs aren’t in point of fact suited for her".

He finished, however, that "the show ironically feels urgently timely."^[29] On distinction positive side, in Variety, Marilyn Stasio gave the production unadorned rave review, praising all high-mindedness performances, direction and designs, distinguished calling it "vintage Broadway, nevertheless gussied up in grand, boastful style".^[30] It was nominated espousal six Tony Awards, including Outperform Revival of a Musical,^[31] however it did not win any.^[32] A special Theatre World Prize 1 for "Outstanding Ensemble" was tingle to the 21 cast human resources making their Broadway debuts invite the revival.^[33]

An official cast environment was released on September 23, 2022.^[34] In the fall 2022 fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Music Man destitute the Red Bucket fundraising put on video by raising $2,002,612 toward righteousness charity.^[35]

Synopsis

Act I

In the early season of 1912, aboard a entourage leaving Rock Island, Illinois,^[36] Airhead Cowell and other traveling salesmen debate whether modern conveniences gust making their profession more arduous.

"Professor" Harold Hill is subjugate as one whose sales genius make him immune from much changes ("Rock Island"). Charlie says that Hill is a fraud man who promises to suit boys' marching bands, then skips town after taking payments convoy instruments and uniforms. Upon representation train's arrival in River Borough, Iowa, a passenger leaves nobility train with a suitcase tag "Professor Harold Hill".

After town of River City describe their reserved, "chip-on-the-shoulder attitude" ("Iowa Stubborn"), Harold sees his old analyst and shill, Marcellus Washburn, who has "gone legit" and momentous lives in the town. Marcellus tells Harold that the unique person who might expose him is the only trained jongleur in town, Marian Paroo, greatness librarian who gives piano importune.

He also informs Hill prowl a new pool table was just delivered to the town's local billiard parlor so, scolding launch his scheme, Harold convinces River City parents of honesty "trouble" that can come strange a pool table in description community ("Ya Got Trouble"). Harold follows Marian home, attempting friend flirt with her, but she ignores him.

Marian gives neat piano lesson to a mini girl named Amaryllis while disceptation with her widowed mother reposition her high "standards where troops body are concerned"; she mentions class man who followed her residence ("Piano Lesson/If You Don't Assail My Saying So"). Marian's ashamed 10-year-old brother Winthrop arrives dwelling.

Amaryllis, who secretly likes Winthrop but teases him about wreath lisp, asks Marian to whom she should say goodnight encourage the evening star, since she doesn't have a sweetheart. Jewess tells her to just asseverate goodnight to her "someone" ("Goodnight, My Someone").

The next cause a rift, bumbling Mayor Shinn and potentate overbearing wife Eulalie MacKecknie Shinn lead the festivities for Sovereignty Day at the high institute gym ("Columbia, the Gem look up to the Ocean") but are enfeebled by a firecracker set prepare by troublemaker Tommy Djilas.

Harold takes the stage and announces to the townspeople that noteworthy will prevent "sin and corruption" from the presence of representation pool table by forming dinky boys' band ("Ya Got Business [reprise]/Seventy-Six Trombones"). Mayor Shinn, who owns the billiard parlor, tells the bickering school board denote get Harold's credentials, but Harold gets them to sing variety a Barbershop Quartet to amuse them ("Ice Cream/Sincere").

Harold along with sets up Zaneeta, the mayor's eldest daughter, with Tommy, abide persuades Tommy to work primate his assistant. After another knock-back by Marian, Harold is concrete to win her ("The Sadder But Wiser Girl"). The locality ladies are very excited push off the band and the ladies' dance committee that Harold structuring to form.

He mentions Jewess, and they imply (falsely, cherish turns out) that she locked away an affair with a now-deceased miser, who willed the review building to the town on the contrary left all the books style Marian. They warn Harold lose one\'s train of thought she advocates "dirty books" indifference "Chaucer, Rabelais and Balzac" ("Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little").

The school board arrives to review Harold's credentials, on the other hand he leads them in trade mark and slips away ("Goodnight, Ladies").

The next day, Harold walks into the library to chase Marian in earnest ("Marian decency Librarian"). For a moment, she forgets her decorum and dances with Harold and the teenagers. Harold kisses her; when she tries to slap him, she accidentally hits Tommy instead.

Interest Tommy's help, Harold signs orderliness all the boys in community to be in his tie, including Winthrop. Mrs. Paroo likes Harold and tries to surprise out why Marian is sound interested. Marian describes her pattern man ("My White Knight", rewritten for the film version though "Being in Love"). She sets out to give Mayor Shinn evidence against Harold that she found in the Indiana Bring back Educational Journal, but they entrap interrupted by the arrival distinctive the Wells Fargowagon, which delivers the band instruments ("The Healthy Fargo Wagon").

When Winthrop esteem so happy about his in mint condition cornet, and totally abandons her majesty shyness and self-consciousness, Marian begins to see Harold in dexterous new light. She tears rank incriminating page out of nobility Journal before giving the publication to Mayor Shinn.

Act II

The ladies rehearse their classical gambol in the school gym onetime the school board practices their quartet ("It's You") for blue blood the gentry ice cream social.

Marcellus slab the town's teenagers interrupt interpretation ladies' practice, taking over dignity gym as they dance ("Shipoopi"). Harold grabs Marian to flash with her, and all rendering teenagers join in. At position end of the dance, prestige Mayor angrily denounces Tommy's arrogance with his daughter. Regarding Winthrop's cornet, Marian later questions Harold about his claim that "you don't have to bother take up again the notes".

He explains desert this is what he calls "The Think System", and of course arranges to call on Mother to discuss it. The urban ladies ask Marian to retort their dance committee, since she was "so dear dancing integrity Shipoopi" with Professor Hill ("Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little" [Reprise]). They have contrary their opinions about her books, and they eagerly tell waste away that "the Professor told undo to read those books, current we simply adored them all!"

That night, the school gaming-table tries to collect Harold's certificate again, but he gets them to sing again and slips away ("Lida Rose").

Marian, break, is sitting on her vanguard porch thinking of Harold ("Will I Ever Tell You?"). Winthrop returns home after spending regarding with Harold and tells Jewess and Mrs. Paroo about Harold's hometown ("Gary, Indiana"). As Jewess waits alone for Harold, motion salesman Charlie Cowell enters constitute evidence against Harold, hoping bolster tell Mayor Shinn.

He single has a few minutes heretofore his train leaves, but chicago to flirt with Marian. She delays him so he won't have time to deliver birth evidence, eventually kissing him. Significance the train whistle blows, she pushes him away. Charlie cuttingly tells Marian that Harold has a girl in "every colony in Illinois, and he's free it from every one ad infinitum them – and that's 102 counties!"

Harold arrives, and after of course reminds her of the dishonest rumors he's heard about fallow, she convinces herself that Dickhead invented everything he told sum up.

They agree to meet survey the footbridge, where Marian tells him the difference he's straightforward in her life ("Till At hand Was You"). Marcellus interrupts survive tells Harold that the uniforms have arrived. He urges Harold to take the money allow run, but Harold refuses bump leave, insisting, "I've come vivid through the ranks...

and I'm not resigning without my commission". He returns to Marian, who tells him that she has known that he is splendid fraud since the third offering after he arrived. (Harold in advance claimed to have graduated get out of the Gary Conservatory in 1905, but Gary, Indiana, was turn on the waterworks founded until 1906.) Because she loves him, she gives him the incriminating page out decompose the Indiana State Educational Journal.

She leaves, promising to note him later at the Heartless. With his schemes for position boys' band and Marian performance even better than planned, Harold confidently sings "Seventy-Six Trombones". Though he overhears Marian singing "Goodnight My Someone", Harold suddenly realizes that he is in like with Marian; he and Jewess sing a snatch of wad other's songs.

Meanwhile, Charlie Cowell, who has missed his give instructions, arrives at the ice gregarious social and denounces Harold importation a fraud. The townspeople commence an agitated search for Harold. Winthrop is heartbroken and tells Harold that he wishes Harold had never come to File City. But Marian tells Winthrop that she believes everything Harold ever said, for it sincere come true in the rest every kid in town talked and acted that summer.

She and Winthrop urge Harold oppose get away. He chooses be acquainted with stay and tells Marian consider it he never really fell be thankful for love until he met ("Till There Was You" [Reprise]). The constable then handcuffs Harold and leads him away.

Mayor Shinn leads a meeting thwart the high school gym retain decide what to do meet Harold, asking, "Where's the band?

Where's the band?" Marian defends Harold. Tommy enters as top-notch drum major, followed by nobleness boys in uniform with their instruments. Marian urges Harold prevalent lead the River City Boys' Band in Beethoven's Minuet count on G. Despite the boys' little musical ability, the parents shoulder the audience are nonetheless glad by the sight of their children playing music.

Even Politician Shinn is won over, charge, as the townspeople cheer, Harold is released into Marian's instrumentality ("Finale").

Music

Musical numbers

Notes:
As this euphonious concerns a marching band, picture orchestration for several of dignity numbers includes band instruments.^[37][38]

"Lida Rose" and "Will I Ever Impart You", sung first separately mushroom then simultaneously, are examples expend Broadway counterpoint (songs with fall lyrics and separate melodies meander harmonize and are designed be a consequence be sung together).

Similarly, "Pickalittle" and "Good Night Ladies" bear out also sung first separately, elitist then in counterpoint. Willson's contrast is lampooned, along with couple counterpoint song pairs from Author Berlin musicals, in the 1959 musical Little Mary Sunshine, three counterpoint songs are combined: "Playing Croquet," "Swinging" and "How Do You Do?" "Goodnight, Overcast Someone" is the same song, in waltz time, as blue blood the gentry march-tempo "Seventy-six Trombones".^[39]

In the 1962 movie,^[40] the 1980 and 2000 revivals,^[41] and some amateur skull regional productions, "Gary, Indiana" go over the main points sung in Act 1 unreceptive Harold (1962 movie) and Wife.

Paroo (between "Marian the Librarian" and "My White Knight"), nuisance Winthrop singing a reprise rot it in Act 2 (with Mrs. Paroo and Marian Paroo in 2000).^{[citation needed]}

Casts and characters

Casts

Notable replacements

2022 Broadway revival

Main characters

Secondary characters

Setting and popular courtesy references

The Music Man is setting in the fictional town longawaited River City, Iowa, in 1912.

The town is based expose large part on Willson's cradle, Mason City, Iowa, and indefinite of the musical's characters absolute based on people that Willson observed in the town.^[42] Grandeur "river" in River City quite good probably the Mississippi River realistically Davenport, Iowa: the Rock Oasis conductor's announcing "River City, Iowa!

Cigarettes illegal in this state" implies crossing the Mississippi give birth to Rock Island, Illinois, into Siouan. The year 1912 was a-one time of relative innocence, primate recalled in 1957 after bend over world wars, the Great Indentation and the arrival of minuscule weapons.^{[citation needed]}

The musical includes many references to popular culture near the time.

For example, interject making his pitch, Harold Bing lists popular musicians and composers: Gilmore, Pat Conway, Giuseppe Creatore, W.C. Handy and John Prince Sousa.^[43] Some of the native references are anachronistic: "Trouble" contains references to both Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, a monthly intelligence magazine that did not open publication until October 1919, final the nonalcoholic "near-beer" Bevo, which was first brewed in 1916.^[44][45] In addition, Rafael Méndez (referred to by Hill as "O'Mendez," a great "Irish" trumpeter) was six years old in 1912.^[46]

Recordings

Main article: The Music Man (original Broadway cast recording)

The first pick up of "Till There Was You" was released before the first cast album version.

Promotional copies of the 45 rpm celibate, Capitol P3847, were released question November 26, 1957, even already the Broadway production had premiered. Produced by Nelson Riddle, gush featured his orchestra and 17-year-old vocalist Sue Raney.

The innovative cast recording was released get by without Capitol Records on January 20, 1958, in stereophonic & monophonic versions and held the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for twelve weeks, remaining perpendicular the charts for a of 245 weeks.

The seal album was awarded "Best Contemporary Cast Album" at the chief Grammy Awards ceremony in 1958 and was inducted in 1998 as a Grammy Hall stand for Fame Award winner.^[47]

In 1959, decoration composer and arranger Jimmy Giuffre released Jimmy Giuffre and Circlet Music Men Play The Symphony Man, consisting of jazz canto of tunes from the musical.^[48] "Till There Was You" was covered by Anita Bryant discern 1959 as a single mix up with Carlton Records, reaching No.

30 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[49]The Beatles covered "Till There Was You" on their 1963 notebook With the Beatles (issued directly Meet the Beatles! in representation United States). Rosemary Willson afterwards told The New York Times that her husband's estate difficult to understand received more money from influence royalties of the Beatles' recordings of "Till There Was You" than it did from character musical's original production.

A cast tape featuring the 2022 revival cast was recorded at Manhattan Center see was released on December 9, 2022 by Accidental Jacket Pastime, produced by Robert Sher, Brian Gillet and Huck Walton.^[51]

Adaptations

Main articles: The Music Man (1962 film) and The Music Man (2003 film)

Preston starred in the 1962 film adaptation, with Shirley Linksman as Marian, Buddy Hackett by reason of Marcellus, Hermione Gingold as Wife.

Shinn and Ron Howard considerably Winthrop.^[52]

The success of the 2000 stage revival prompted a 2003 television film starring Matthew Broderick as Hill and Kristin Chenoweth as Marian, with Victor Garber as Mayor Shinn, Debra Anchoress as Mrs. Paroo and Topminnow Shannon as Mrs.

Shinn.

Reception

Though West Side Story had unlock nearly three months earlier, The Music Man captured audiences, critics and five Tony Awards, as well as Best Musical. The New Dynasty Times theatre critic Brooks Atkinson wrote in his review "If Mark Twain could have collaborated with Vachel Lindsay, they backbone have devised a rhythmic caper like The Music Man, which is as American as apple pie and a Fourth get the picture July oration....

The Music Man is a marvelous show, untold in wholesome and comic tradition."^[53]

Walter Kerr of the Herald Tribune glowingly described the opening site of the musical: "It's blue blood the gentry beat that does it. Magnanimity overture of The Music Man drives off with a unite of good, shrill whistles instruct a heave-ho blast from portion the brass in the hole, with the heartier trombonists shuffling to their feet in pure blare of enthusiasm.

The screen sails up to disclose birth most energetic engine on illustriousness Rock Island Railroad (circa 1912) hurtling across the proscenium write down real smoke pouring out accomplish its smokestack and real mist rolling along the rails".^[3] Kerr called Preston "indefatigable: he's got zest and gusto and capital great big grin for selection slam-bang march tune".^[3] Robert Coleman of the New York Circadian Mirror wrote that the maker "made a 10-strike in touchdown Robert Preston for the give a call role", stating that Preston "paces the piece dynamically, acts ingratiatingly, sings as if he'd antediluvian doing it all his sure, and offers steps that would score on the cards do away with dance judges".^[3]

Frank Aston of leadership New York World-Telegram and Sun declared "It deserves to people at least a decade", particularly praising Barbara Cook's performance monkey Marian: "If all our stack-tenders looked, sang, danced, and up to date like Miss Barbara, this nation's book learning would be overwhelming".^[3] John Chapman of the Daily News pronounced The Music Man "one of the few unmodified musical comedies of the behind 26 years", stating that Of Thee I Sing (1931) "set a standard for fun abstruse invention which has seldom antique reached.

Its equal arrived identical 1950 – Guys and Dolls – and I would asseverate that The Music Man ranks with these two".^[3] In goodness Journal-American, John McClain deemed glory show "a whopping hit. That salute by Meredith Willson optimism his native Iowa will feigned even Oklahoma! look to disloyalty laurels".^[3]

In popular culture

The Music Man's popularity has led to secure being mentioned, quoted, parodied skin texture pastiched in a number discern media, including television, films professor popular music.

Television

The Music Man has been parodied in swell number of TV shows, with The Simpsons episode "Marge vs. the Monorail", written by Conan O'Brien. At some point generous the second Broadway revival, Author was approached about playing picture role of Harold Hill cart a brief run, but fiasco ultimately could not fit voyage into his schedule.

He says, on the DVD commentary residue for the aforementioned Simpsons chapter, that it was the hardest choice he's ever had have an adverse effect on make professionally, because The Tune euphony Man is one of fillet favorites. O'Brien did, however, rightfully host of the 2006 Honour Awards, sing a parody amendment of "Ya Got Trouble" engage his opening monologue targeting NBC and their slide in rank ratings.

The television program Family Guy has parodied the melodic at least three times. Encircle the episode "Brian Wallows leading Peter's Swallows", Lois chastises Brian's high standards in a skit of "Piano Lesson". In in the opposite direction episode, "Patriot Games", Peter showboats after scoring a touchdown preschooler leading a stadium full arrive at people in a rendition come close to "Shipoopi", complete with choreography pass up the film.

In Episode 22 of Boston Legal, "Men bring under control Boys", Alan Shore sings natty parody of the song "Trouble" to convince patrons of unadulterated restaurant not to eat nobleness salmon. Several Music Man songs were used in Ally McBeal, for example in the stint 2 episode "Sex, Lies gain Politics" in which lawyer Bog Cage spurs the jury smart singing "Ya Got Trouble" be dissimilar him.^[54] Season 2 Episode 15 (2012), "The Super Speedy Intoxicant Squeezy 6000", of the Telly show My Little Pony: Concord Is Magic, makes numerous allusions to The Music Man, with a song based on "Ya Got Trouble".^[55]

MSNBC's Keith Olbermann has numerous times referred to Hag News TV host Glenn Creek as "Harold Hill" on decency air.^[56][57][58]

Robert Hanson stars in exceptional community theater production of The Music Man in the Netflix original show Grace and Frankie.

Film

In the 1960 film The Apartment, Jack Lemmon's character appreciation given tickets to the puton but is stood up unbendable the Majestic Theatre. In Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), Michele sings "The Fit Fargo Wagon". The next gathering, in The Wedding Singer (1998), Robbie teaches Rosie to make believe "'Til There Was You" shelter her 50th wedding anniversary.

The 2006 mockumentary/documentaryPittsburgh centers on performer Jeff Goldblum as he attempts to secure a green visiting-card for his Canadian actor/singer/dancer beau, Catherine Wreford, by appearing second-hand goods her as the leads principal a summer regional theatre work hard of The Music Man behave Goldblum's hometown of Pittsburgh, Penn.

Music

The political satire group distinction Capitol Steps parodies numerous songs from musicals, including The Symphony Man.^{[citation needed]} To evoke go around of the 20th century Souk Street USA at some disparage its theme parks around glory world, Walt Disney Parks stake Resorts uses songs from nobleness show, including "76 Trombones" add-on "Wells Fargo Wagon".^[59]Bill Hayes parodied "Rock Island" in a 1959 industrial musical Good News Lengthen Olds written by Max Hodge, with Oldsmobile product terminology dollop as the "whatayatalk".^[60]

The North Sioux Band Festival in Mason Capability, Iowa, is a yearly affair celebrating music with a collective emphasis on marching bands.

Willson returned several times to dominion home town of Mason Power point during the 1950s to partake in the event, including trustworthy the "Big Parade", and greatness stars of the film appall participated in the event show 1962.^[61]

Awards and honors

Original Broadway production

1980 Broadway revival

2000 Broadway revival

2022 Station revival

Notes

Citations

Sources

Further reading

External links