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Me and the Music Man (and a #giveaway)

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Recently I had the chance to see Hugh Jackman play the role of Professor Harold Hill on Broadway in The Music Man.

I’ve mentioned in a previous InspyRomance post that I’m a huge fan of theater, and travel to Broadway in NYC often, but this was my first trip since the 2020 COVID Broadway shut down and then reopening over a year later.  Hugh (a huge star known for his work in movies as well as on stage, for those who may not be familiar with the name) had announced his plans to star on Broadway prior to the shutdown, and I’d already been excited to see him.  When we had to delay 18 months or so, I didn’t want to miss out.

A friend and I attended, and we thoroughly loved the show.  Everything about the production was top rate and enjoyable, and Hugh, as well as his co-star Sutton Foster, playing Marian Paroo, were excellent.

The Music Man and I have a significant history together.  It was the very first musical I ever attended as an audience member, sitting in the fifth row of our local community theater.  A classmate of mine played Winthrop, and it was the first time I felt the magic of the theater wash over me.  The first of many.  Seeing that local theater production of The Music Man started me off on a long life of being a live theater audience member and loving every moment of it.

Because I loved the production, my mother bought me the soundtrack of the movie, on a big vinyl record.  I played it over and over until I’d memorized every line of every song.  To this day, it’s my favorite Broadway musical.

The town I grew up in had an outdoor theater program every summer.  Anyone could audition.  I’d only been in one play before, certainly not an experienced actress, but when I was nineteen, they announced they were doing The Music Man.  I had to try out … which I did.  I was placed in the chorus as a singer and background townsperson, which was fine with me.  Because as much as I love to watch theater, I have no acting skills!  But it was fun to take part in the production of my favorite play!

When I was writing my series of inspirational romance, Pawleys Island Paradise, in Book 3, Journey to Fulfillment, Marianne Mueller was looking for a way that her seafront inn could bring in more revenue.  She decided she’d start a dinner theater using her inn’s dining room.  Workers added a stage, and she began the many steps required to cast, rehearse and produce a live show that would draw theatergoers.  What show did I have her produce?  Well, The Music Man, of course!

And just today, before I sat down to write this blog, I was reading a book by InspyRomance’s own Elizabeth Maddrey and I chuckled when I saw that Jeremiah, the hero of A Heart Restored, had performed in The Music Man when he was in high school!  I guess I’m not the only fan!

I’d love to see your comments about:  Have you ever seen The Music Man?  Where did you see it?  Who was your favorite character or what was your favorite song?  If you haven’t seen it, what has been your favorite theater show that you have seen?

I’ll draw one random commenter to win a copy of my book Journey to Fulfillment.  Winner chooses whatever e-book format you’d like, or if you’re a US reader, you can also choose paperback. (Sorry international readers; e-book only.)   I will choose a winner on Friday Oct 7.

Laurie Larsen (48 Posts)

**Heartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.** An award-winning author, Laurie is living her dream life at the beach, writing novels. Laurie writes beachy inspirational romance that takes place in the South Carolina Low Country. She retired from the big day job and now focuses on writing full time. Strolls on the sand, soaking up the sun and riding the waves can be considered the best kind of research.


Comments

  1. Hi Laurie! I’ve never seen ‘The Music Man’, but it sounds great.
    It’s funny how your first performances stay with you. My friend’s mum was part of a musical theatre group when we were young, we thought she was so glamorous! I remember when we were about 10 being allowed to see her perform in the chorus of ‘Guys and Dolls’, it was the first time I’d seen anything like that and I was spellbound, it’s stayed one of my favourites.

  2. You had me at The Music Man. I am a huge fan. I haven’t seen it live but would love to and would love to see Hugh Jackman in it (I saw him in Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne before he was a movie star and had his break in America. He was the best part of that show which is my least favourite one I have seen live)

    In Year 9 I was in the Music Man at high school. I was a kid in the scenes with townspeople (To this day I say “trouble with a capital T that rhymes with P and stands for pool”). I was also a red indian in the 4th of july play, And a band member. I know most of the songs too. I like Goodnight my someone goodnight my love. Most of the songs are really good. At one stage I knew most of the lines also. I think I enjoyed Marcellus Washburn He was the perfect sidekick.

    I think one of my favourite musicals I have seen is Me and My Girl.

  3. Yes! It’s so true! I’ve seen many plays performed over the years but it’s my first one that holds so much nostalgia and special memories!

  4. Oh what an awesome comment Jenny! Sounds like you’re as fond of Music Man as I am! I thought of you and Narelle, Aussies, as I watched Hugh, such a huge Australian star! He’s such a talent, but I hear a genuinely kind person and very modest.

    I’ve never seen Me and My Girl. I’ll have to look for it!

  5. I love musicals. And The Music Man in particular. I have been trying to figure out how to see Hugh on Broadway in this. Getting there is easy – just a two ish hour train ride up. But the tickets stay juuust out of my reach for various reasons. And now it’s closing. And I’ll probably miss it. I’m glad you got to go!

  6. You’ve got until Jan 1 and then it’s gone!! I hear he’s moving on to do another Wolverine movie.

    So a question for you Elizabeth — what inspired you to write The Music Man into Jetemiah’s backstory?

  7. I love musicals. My favorite was Fiddler on the Roof at a cute barn theater in New England. It had a great cast.

  8. The only musical I’ve seen was The Sound of Music but it was at a private school. I went with a friend when I was in middle school. Her cousin was in it.

  10. Great musical with beautiful music. Maybe you’ll be inspired to go check out another one!

  11. I haven’t seen The Music Man, but its really high on my list of musicals to watch. Two of the musicals I have on DVD are Singin in the Rain, and The Bandwagon, and I think I could watch just those endlessly! I practically grew up on the Sound of Music! I have The Sound of Music soundtrack on vinyl, and I even suffered through subtitles to watch an older German version of the story. Even though its a little more morbid, I think that the lyrics from Sweeney Todd are REALLY clever. In the area I’m in there isn’t any musical theater 😒! But I was in six dance recitals, and I’m excited to get back to that at some point.

  12. You’ve listed some musicals I’ve never seen and that’s saying something!! How exciting to be planning a return to dance. Best of luck!

  13. I’ve never seen the Music Man! The only live theater performance I went to was one that one of my nephews played bass for when he was in college, and I can’t remember the name of it! lol!! That was quite awhile ago, over 10 years! Unless you count the performances done at church, and then I’ve seen the King and I performed as a ballet. To actually be in a theater, though, is none!

  14. Oh my gosh, put it on your Bucket List! You have to see a live musical performed by a good theater troop. Music Man, if you possibly can, but definitely any traditional musical! :)

  16. I just love the musical and thought it’d be fun to include (I think. It’s been a minute since I wrote it, so trying to remember my reasons is a little tricky ;) )

  18. I love the theater, also. I don’t get to go very much and have never been to Broadway. I have seen the movie version of The Music Man several times. I liked Marion. Shirley Jones was so pretty. And I love all of the music. I will probably have “76 Trombones” going through my head the rest of the day. ❤

  20. Ha ha. Me too! A friend told me a tv version of the movie was released starring Matthew Broderick and Kristen Chenowith. I’d love to track that one down and watch it!

  22. I’ve only ever seen the movie versions of The Music Man. I think there’s a version with Matthew Broderick that was on TV years ago, I really enjoyed that one. I love live theater when I can go to a show though.

  23. I too saw The Music Man . Loved the production, and especially Hugh Jackman and sutton Foster. The entire cast was excellent. As former performer dancer and theatre major, I have literally seen hundreds of plays on And off Broadway. Each is unique an the work and dedication of the performers, backstage crew, ushers etc is always appreciated.

  24. Hi, I have never seen The Music Man. I have only watched musicals on TV, I loved Beauty and The Beast and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers among other ones. Have a great week.

  25. Yes! I want to find the Matthew Broderick version! I’m sure somewhere in the world of streaming channels I can find it!

  26. Oh Yvonne! Wasn’t it magical? They put out a cast soundtrack and I plan to order it! I’ so envious of people (like you) who feel comfortable portraying others on stage. My fate is being an appreciative audience member!

  29. Me and My girl is set in england and the cockney area. One of the songs you may recognize is Doing The Lambert Walk. Another is “Leaning on the Lamppost”.
    My very first musical I saw in Adelaide was Big River and I loved that too.

  30. I so want to see that. I did see it on TV they filmed a performance from Broadway. I know Hugh Jackman played Curly and it was really good. I think this is what was his break in America.

  31. I’m so glad you were finally able to go see this production. It sounds awesome. I have loved the soundtrack for The Music Man for a long time and saw the play performed in a community theater many years ago. My favorite show that I have seen was a touring production of My Fair Lady. It was a great show and I loved all of Eliza’s dresses.

  32. I have not seen the Music Man. I have not seen a theater show. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

  33. I have never had the opportunity to see The Music Man, but I have heard the plot synopsis and I think I would enjoy it. I have had the opportunity to see a live theater production of a show about The Little House on the Prairie.

  35. Oh you bet, this production was top-rate! I love My Fair Lady too. Great music in that one.

  37. Oh Debra, I hope you you find a good theater production and give it a try. See if you become a fan as well!

  38. Oh I’ve never heard of that play. I’ll have to check it out! I loved the tv show.

  40. I have never seen the theater production of the Music Man but love the movie. My favorite song is Gary, Indiana performed by a very young Ron Howard.

  41. I have not seen the Music Man and I actually can’t remember the last time I watched a theater show. However the Music Man sounds so interesting!

  42. My friend just went to see the show at her community theater! I haven’t seen it but I have gone to my local theater many times and have seen some really good productions.

  45. It’s a perfect show for non-professionals because the plot and songs are so full of joy!

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