The Ohio Light Opera’s The Music Man
Contents
The Ohio Light Opera’s The Music Man is a must-see for any music lover! This classic musical tells the story of Professor Harold Hill, who comes to Iowa to con the townspeople into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he intends to lead.
Introduction
The Ohio Light Opera’s The Music Man is a light opera adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name. It was revised and adapted for the smaller stage by stage director and choreographer Charles Repole and premiered at the College of Wooster inWooster, Ohio, in July 2011. It subsequently toured to seven other cities in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
What is the Ohio Light Opera?
The Ohio Light Opera (OLO) is a professional repertory theater specializing in American musical theater from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is based in Wooster, Ohio, and performs in the historic Freedlander Theatre on the campus of The College of Wooster. The company was founded in 1975 by James Robert Williamson, then Dean of Fine Arts at The College of Wooster.
What is The Music Man?
The Music Man is a 1957 musical by Meredith Willson, its libretto by Willson and Franklin Lacey, and lyrics by Willson. The story is set in early-20th-century Iowa, and focuses on con man Harold Hill as he poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to the naïve townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. Harold is caught when he attempts to win the heart of librarian Marian Paroo. The townspeople band together to stop Harold’s scam, and Marian realizes she not only loves Harold, but that he may be worth saving after all.
The Music Man opened on Broadway on December 19, 1957, starring Robert Preston as Harold Hill and Shirley Jones as Marian Paroo. The original Broadway production was a huge success, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and running for 1,375 performances. The show has enjoyed numerous revivals and tours over the years; the most recent Broadway revival opened in 2000 and starred Matthew Broderick as Harold Hill.
The Music Man: A Brief Overview
The Music Man is a 1957 musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naïve Midwestern townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. Harold is no musician, however, and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons.
One of the most popular Broadway musicals of its time, The Music Man won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was made into a 1962 film starring Robert Preston as Harold Hill and Shirley Jones as Marian Paroo. The Ohio Light Opera has been performing The Music Man since 1983, making it one of the longest running productions in their history.
The Ohio Light Opera’s The Music Man: A Review
The Ohio Light Opera’s The Music Man is a charming production of the classic musical. The cast brings the familiar characters to life with energy and enthusiasm, and the music is beautifully performed. The show is well worth seeing if you’re a fan of the musical or just looking for a fun evening out.
Conclusion
The Ohio Light Opera’s The Music Man was a heartwarming and enjoyable production. The music was beautiful and the acting was top-notch. I would highly recommend this show to anyone looking for a light and fun evening of theatre.
