"The Music Man" marches onstage at Truman High School

The theme for this year’s theater season at Truman High School centers on being patriotic. So when theater director Ron Meyer was looking for musicals for students to work on this fall, there was one that came to mind almost immediately – “The Music Man.”

“This is one of those shows that just says All-American,” he said. “The kids are doing great. They are really interested in doing their best on stage and entertaining the audience.”

Based on the book by Meredith Wilson, “The Music Man” centers around con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader, selling band instruments and uniforms to the townspeople before skipping town with their money. But in a small town in Iowa where Hill stops for his next con job, Marian the librarian sees right through him. After he helps her younger brother, however, Marian falls in love with Hill, and in turn he risks getting caught in his schemes after falling in love with her.

“The Music Man” is at 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday at Truman High School, 3301 S. Noland Road. Admission is $6 in advance or $7 at the door.

Meyer said one of the biggest challenges in “The Music Man” is the large number of cast members. In addition to the Truman High School students, there are 16 third through fifth graders who play the children in the production.

“It always makes it more difficult with that many people,” he said. “And in addition, we have a huge amount of scene and costume changes. I do think, though, that the kids are doing very well. They are serious about doing their best and are really working together as an ensemble cast to have the best possible performance. It is crucial for them to know that everyone is important on stage.”

Senior Zac McGee plays Jaycee Squires, one of the members of the barbershop quartet. He said he has enjoyed being in the musical because of the opportunity to sing that it gives him. His favorite song – “Goodnight Ladies.”

“I think I like that song the best because of the big harmony that comes into play with the (barbershop) quartet,” he said. “I hope the audience sees how well we all work together on stage. It is definitely a musical with so much going on that they will never get bored.”

Sophomore Luke Atkison plays Tommy Djilas, one of the “bad boys” among the group of teenagers that is always causing trouble. A chorus member in last year’s “The Wizard of Oz,” Atkison said preparing for “The Music Man” was entirely different.

“Last year, there was a lot of fantasy and make believe involved with ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ This year, the musical is much more realistic, which makes it a lot easier to get into character,” he said. “My favorite song is ‘76 Trombones.’ It is a lot of fun and you have the whole cast out there dancing. It is the music, I think, that everyone will like the most. All of the music, dancing and singing is so much fun and you can’t help but enjoy yourself.”

“The Music Man”
Music and lyrics by Meredith Wilson
WHEN: 7 p.m. Today, Friday and Saturday
Where: Truman High School, 3301 S. Noland Road.
Admission: $6 in advance and $7 at the door.
Directed by: Ron Meyer

Cast list:
Harold Hill: Spencer Wilson
Marian Paroo: Hayley Lewis
Charlie Cowell: Jacob Garr
Maud Dunlop: Meghan LeVota
Marcellus Washburn: Jake Sapp
Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn:
      Dana Masters
Mayor George Shinn: Steven Finkle
Mrs. Paroo: Tanya Sapp
Tommy Dijilas: Luke Atkison
Zaneeta Shinn: Erin Waterhouse
Winthrop Paroo: Blake Savidge
Constable Locke: Dillon Amaya