The Music Man!

 

The Music Man is one of those classic musical theater shows that are in the country's zeitgeist. Even if you've never seen this show, the movie or The Simpson's famous monorail tribute, you know all the songs. I've never seen any of this except the Simpson's tribute, but the songs from the show are burned into my brain. My parents had this album when I was a kid and I listened to it prior to discovering the Beatles, The Doors and of course the Monkees.

Professor Henry Hill (Elliot Andrews) is a con man. Jumping off a train in River City, Iowa in 1912 or so, Hill is going to con the "stubborn Iowans" into starting a boy band by buying instruments and uniforms from him and then skipping town. Along the way, Hill meets Marion (a wonderful Elizabeth D'Aiuto) a widow who serves as the town librarian. The con goes bad, Hill is found out, he falls in love with Marion and the townspeople forgive him once the band is formed. That's the story. But the music is the draw here.

The beginning of the show features a train full of salesmen rapping. Yes, rapping in 1957. Whether it was known as rap or not, that's what the song is. It's kind of fascinating. All the songs are there. 76 Trombones, Gary, Indiana, Wells Farro Wagon, Marion the Librarian, Shipoopi, and Trouble where T it rhymes with P and that stands for pool. It's a great time.

The performances by this musical theater staple are fantastic. Especially Elizabeth D'Aiuto as Marion. Her voice is operatic and though it's her tour debut, she could be Christine in Phantom easily. Wow.! Elliott Andrews as the grifter Henry Hill is a fast-talking great lead. He keeps it together. He definitely is the glue. The others are also a step above including the number of children who get a lot of time and a lot of songs to sing. Dylan Patterson as Winthrop, Marion's son, shines with a solo song that drew huge cheers.

This play has 3 more performances at the Lied Center in Lincoln. It's well worth the time.

This show has the chops to be done at the middle school level right up to this professional show. To see it by the pros first will make any other type equally as fun. It's old fashioned, unapologetic, and sticks to the original.  

Bravo!