Now playing at the Woodlawn Theatre is ‘The Music Man,’ a musical about 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. This family friendly production opened on Friday January 31 with much acclaim and is running through Sunday February 23. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets prices range from $18 to $30 and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388. The non-profit partner during this production is YOSA (Youth Orchestras of San Antonio) so the theater is currently accepting musical instrument and office supply donations during the run.

‘The Music Man’ is set in the early summer of 1912 and begins aboard a train leaving Rock Island, Illinois. A group of traveling salesmen debate about how modern innovations are making their livelihood more difficult. “Rock Island” When the train gets to River City, Iowa, a passenger leaves with a suitcase labeled “Professor Harold Hill.” Once in town, Harold Hill (Trey Hoadley) sees his old friend and sidekick Marcellus Washburn (Michael Parisi) who is trying to lead a normal life. He tells Harold about a pool table that was just delivered to the local pool hall and to launch his scam, Harold tries to convince the town’s parents of the supposed trouble that a pool table could bring. “Ya Got Trouble” Harold meets Marian Paroo (Sami Serrano) and attempts to flirt with her but she continuously ignores him. Despite his complete lack of musical literacy, he convinces everyone that he is a brilliant bandleader. As Harold struggles to keep his scheme afloat, he finds himself increasingly attached to the townspeople, who have all experienced a positive change since Harold came to town. When the truth comes out, Harold is arrested but Marian, who has fallen for Harold, defends him because of the positive influence he has had on everyone.

The Tony Award winning ‘The Music Man’ has become a beloved classic and the Woodlawn Theatre does an excellent job of bringing it to the local stage. With book, music and lyrics by Meredith Wilson, it is based on a story by Wilson and Franklin Lacey. The cast is one of the biggest seen at the Woodlawn in some time but they all work well together so that the action onstage flows effortlessly. It is interesting to notice that Harold Hill’s dialogue is fast paced and sometimes it is difficult to follow; maybe this is a way of suggesting how salesmen are often thought of as “fast talkers.” Regardless, Trey Hoadley does an admirable job as the con man Harold Hill. Highlights include the catchy “Seventy-Six Trombones” by Harold and the Children of Rivery City and “Marian The Librarian” when Harold and Marian dance in the library with the town’s children – it includes some of the production’s most impressive choreography. The costumes are gorgeous, the story is entertaining and musical numbers include the classic romantic song “Till There Was You.” After a successful opening weekend, ‘The Music Man’ continues to entertain guests of all ages, especially fans of marching bands. It is a definite must-see musical for the entire family.