Community theatre presents The Music Man

There’s trouble in River City — or at least, there will be when Eagle Mountain Community Theatre brings a beloved Broadway classic to life this week.

Meredith Willson’s The Music Man will fill Frontier Middle School’s auditorium with famous songs and the musical’s heartfelt moments. Performances will take place Dec. 5–7 at 7 p.m., with another showing at 1 p.m. on Dec. 7.

“It says a lot about Eagle Mountain and the Board of the Eagle Mountain Community Theater,” says Skyler Wilcox, one of the actors in The Music Man. “The community is so talented, and wants to have these timeless classics to participate in. The board has done a phenomenal job of creating a group that invites all to take part in something so special.”

The production, a collaboration of local talent, promises to deliver what has made The Music Man a staple of American theater since its debut in 1957.

The musical tells the story of “Professor” Harold Hill, a smooth-talking con man who plans to swindle the citizens of River City, Iowa, by selling them instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he has no intention of organizing. Along the way, he finds himself unexpectedly changed by the town’s warmth and his feelings for Marian Paroo, the local librarian.

A Storied Past

The original Broadway production of The Music Man received five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and solidified its place in the pantheon of theater classics.

Its score, features memorable numbers such as “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Till There Was You,” and “Trouble.”

“Eagle Mountain Community Theater is very family-friendly and does an incredible job of producing quality content for everyone to enjoy,” says Wilcox. “It also allows the community to come together and be part of something that unites and connects us.” 

A Labor of Love

For the musical’s director Kylee Sumner, the production is more than a trip down Broadway’s memory lane. It’s an opportunity to bring Eagle Mountain’s arts community together and showcase the remarkable talent within the city.

“As the director it’s seeing my visions and dreams come to life,” says Sumner. “I’ve spent months studying this show and envisioning what it will look like so to then see these actors/actresses really become the characters and bring River City here is amazing.” 

Audiences can expect a high-energy show that stays true to the spirit of the original while bringing fresh perspectives.

Behind the Scenes

Producing a full-scale musical like The Music Man is no small feat, especially for a community theater. Behind the scenes at Eagle Mountain Community Theatre, countless hours of preparation, coordination and dedication go into making the performance happen.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication,” says Wilcox. “As a performer, we have been doing rehearsals just about every night for 2.5 months. There have also been so many days of listening to the music, listening to the script, and doing everything I can to memorize everything required to bring this show to life.”

Costumes must also be tailored to fit the early 1900s Iowa setting, props and set pieces crafted to create the world of River City, and sound and lighting equipment carefully calibrated.

“I think the arts is a great way for families to spend quality time together,” says Sumner. “The Music Man is a great family friendly show that has things for every age whether it’s those familiar with the songs or those who like fun dance numbers, it’s sure to have something for everyone.”

Get Your Tickets

Eagle Mountain Community Theatre’s production of The Music Man runs Dec. 5–7 at Frontier Middle School. Tickets are available online at EMCTheatre.com.