Tacoma Musical Playhouse presents "The Music Man"

PERFORMING AT THE TACOMA FREEDOM FAIR

JULY 4, 2001 FROM 2:00 TO 3:00PM

ON THE MARINE PARK STAGE

 

            Tacoma Musical Playhouse presents a selection from the American classic, The Music Man by Meredith Willson.  It will be a fun show for kids and families.  It’s an affectionate peak into small-town, USA of a bygone era.

The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a children’s’ band he vows to organize – this, despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef.  He plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.  The Music man is family entertainment at its best.

The score is filled with familiar classics like “Seventy-Six Trombones”, “Gary Indiana”, “My White Knight”, “The Wells Fargo Wagon”, “Lida Rose”, and “Till There Was You”.  Willson includes rhythmic marches, barbershop quartets, love ballads, and songs that lead into dances. 

The Music Man opened on Broadway on Dec. 19, 1957, and established Robert Preston as a Broadway star.  The show introduced Willson’s songs in a production with an old-fashioned homespun plot that was heralded, as one of the best family-type shows presented in Manhattan for several decades.  The critics loved the original production and gave rave reviews, we are confident Freedom Fair audience will also have a wonderful time.   The full production runs from July 6^th through August 5^th at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse.  Tickets run from $17 adults, $15 student/military, and $10 children under 12.  Curtain time is at 8PM Fridays and Saturdays and 2PM Sundays.  Call early for tickets to this fine show will not last.  Call the box office at  (253) 565-6867.