The North Creek High School theater company shines as it takes center stage amidst flashing lights and pounding music. Smack in the middle of River City, Iowa, the theater presents Meredith Wilson’s timeless classic, The Music Man. This classic musical tells the story of Harold Hill, a smooth-talking con artist with a silver tongue. As the story unfolds, it weaves together romance, comedy, and unforgettable melodies that transcend generations.
Harold Hill’s scam begins as he arrives in River City, ready to dupe the people into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he says he will organize and conduct. To him, initially, the people are just pawns to be used to get money. The role of Harold Hill is played with an engaging charisma by Jack Corlett. However, it is when Harold meets the town librarian, Marian, and her little brother, Winthrop, that he alters. He finds himself in love and desiring a real relationship with the townspeople. The inner struggle Harold experiences becomes evident as he says to himself, “For the first time in my life, I got my foot caught in the door,” which reflects his struggle between being real versus a phony.
Hats off to North Creek High School’s production crew for an extraordinary job with regards to props and costuming. The colors of the costuming are bright enough for the beginning of the 20th century and really pop the audience right into the world of the storyline. Every detail-from lighting and sound-all the way around has been thoughtfully realized for the polished performance presented by the actors.
After months of practice and perfecting, The Music Man finally arrived at North Creek. Jack Corlett describes the preparation: “Lots and lots of practice, really; we have been rehearsing for months on end, creating the sets altogether, and choreographing while working with the music director-a really long process, but well worth it.” The commitment and dedication could be felt within the final result of the actors and crew that produced it.
The show itself was a visual and musical treat. For the new audience member, the plot is not clearly defined, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear and interesting. Grading the performance on a set scale, the set that was so wonderfully created, the actors’ performances, and the grand vocals combined into an interactive experience for one and all. The actors were vibrant and full of energy, drawing the audience into the story.
The show opens with Jack Corlett as The Music Man on a train-a very appropriate beginning that captures his character’s charisma. One of the best songs is “You Got Trouble,” which really catches the audience from the very beginning. Corlett reveals, “I really like the song in the beginning of the musical, ‘You Got Trouble,’ because the entire song is spoken in a syncopated rhythm.” This engaging song points out the moral decay of the town while its energetic tempo gives it an electric boost that carries the whole production.
As The Music Man unfolds, the perfect blend of humor, heart, and dynamic music leaves an indelible mark. The performance epitomizes community and connection and is sure to resonate long after the curtain call. The effort and passion put into this production are reflected in every note and moment, making it an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
The entire play brought everything that it needed to, it was a heartwarming ending with many beautiful scenes, a personal favorite would definitely be the library scene which put smiles on so many faces, it consisted of a song and it incorporated so many fun dance moves and the scene was based on Harold Hill (Music Man), trying to court the girl he fell in love with.
Overall, The Music Man was beautifully produced, the play was such a highlight in many people’s day. Everything from the actors to the set to the music brought such life to every scene. The intricate story telling and the wide range of voices were so beautiful. For a first time theater watcher it was very heartwarming and allowed for many adorable moments.
