The Music Man on the 1971 Tonys


WHADDYA TALK, WHADDYA TALK, WHADDTA TALK! We are only 24 AWAYS AWAY from Broadway's biggest night of the year, the 73rd Annual Tony Awards playing you the best spectacular performances from the past telecast. Are you ready for more showstopping performances?!! Here comes another classic.

At # 24 today on our countdown, we take a trip to the small town of River City, Iowa in the year 1912. There, we meet a superstitious sales conman playing a game of hit and run. The game is played simple…. organizing an all boys marching band, collecting all the money needed for it (including Musical Instruments, Uniforms, and Music Books), and then heading to the next down before everyone finds out they've been tricked. However, his world turns upside down when he meets the town's Librarian. That superstitious conman I am talking about ?Professor Harold Hill?, better known as The Music Man. The musical features a score and book by Meredith Wilson and Franklin Lacey.

From the 1971 telecast (where some of the most famous Broadway stars at the time came back to recreate their iconic performances), the late Tony winning original star Robert Preston as "Professor Harold Hill" and the company perform the song that became well known to this day as the earliest version of rap… the patter showstopper YA GOT TROUBLE.

THE MUSIC MAN was inspired by Meredith Wilson?s 1948 memoir entitled AND THERE I STOOD THERE WITH MY PICCOLO talking about his early life in Iowa and playing in a John Phillip Sousa band. The book did so well, he originally conceived his story as a Musical Television special. However, it did not work out. Wilson later teamed up with Franklin Lacey to edit the book of the show.
In the original script, the character of " Harold Hill" had literally an 8 minute monologue which slowed down the show. They read through it and Wilson started seeing it more as a lyric. The long monologue was then changed into an entire musical named considered as an early version of rap. That song happened to be YA GOT TROUBLE. The inspiration of the leading lady role of "Marian The Librarian" was a woman named that Wilson met during World War II named Marian Seely who as a medical librarian in Utah.

After many years of rewrites, the show had its World Premiere in 1957 at Broadway's Majestic Theatre for 1,375 performances. Under the direction of Morton DaCosta and choreographed by Onna White, the cast starred?.

Tony winner Robert Preston (later Eddie Albert and Bert Parks) as "Professor Harold Hill"

and

the late Barbara Cook as "Marian?.

The original production was nominated for 9 Tony Awards that same year winning 5 including Best Musical, Best Leading Actor in a Musical (for Robert Preston), and Best Leading Actress in a Musical (for Barbara Cook).

The show went on to become a worldwide hit. It was later revived 3 times in New York City.

In 1965, New York City Center presented a limited run of 16 performances stint. The creative team featured direction by Gus Schirmer Jr. and choreography by Vernon Lusby. The cast featured…

Bert Parks as "Professor Harold Hill",

and

Gaylea Byrne as ?Marian?.

The show was then brought back to New York City Center in 1980 for another short stint of 29 performances. This time, the creative team under the direction and choreography by Michael Kidd featured a cast led by ?.

the iconic Dick Van Dyke as "Professor Harold Hill"

and

Meg Bussert as ?Marian?.

Both New York City Center engagements did not receive and Tony Award nominations or wins.

The most recent Broadway revival of The Music Man on Broadway happened in 2000 at the Neil Simon Theatre running for a total of 721 performances. This production was directed and choreographed by Tony winner Susan Stroman. The cast starred?

Tony nominee Craig Berko Pa (later Robert Sean Leonard and Eric McCormack) as "Professor Harold Hill",

and Tony nominee Rebecca Luker as "Marian".

The revival was nominated for 8 Tony Awards that year including Best Revival of a Musical but lost all the categories.

Most recently, it was announced that THE MUSIC MAN will officially be marching its way back to Broadway in the Fall of 2020. Previews will begin September 9th, 2020 and Opening Night scheduled for October 22nd, 2020 at a TBD Shubert Organization house. Under the direction of Tony winner Jerry Zaks and choreography by Tony winner (and a nominee again this year) Warren Caryle, the cast will star…

Award winning stage and screen favorite Hugh Jackman as "Professor Harold Hill"

and

Tony winner Sutton Foster as "Marian".

We know for a fact that this new revival will be getting so much buzz.

In addition to THE MUSIC MAN being a successful stage musical. It also became a huge hit on the screen as well.
The original film adaptation was released in 1962 from Warner Bros. Entertainment. Featuring its original creative team under the direction of Morton DaCosta and choreography by Onna White, the cast featured?

Robert Preston reprising his Tony winning performance as "Professor Harold Hill"

and

Shirley Jones Ingels as "Marian".

The original film was nominated for 6 Oscars that year winning only 1 for Best Score.

In 2003, THE MUSIC MAN was captured on film again. This time it was made as a TV Movie for Disney and ABC Television Network. Under the direction of Jeff Bleckner and choreography by Tony winner Kathleen Marshall., the cast starred?

Tony winner Matthew Broderick as "Professor Harold Hill"

and

Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth as "Marian".

The TV movie remake was also nominated for a 5 technical Emmy Awards.

THE MUSIC MAN today is a popular show still performed in schools, community, and regional theatres worldwide.
Doesn't this show make you want walk out singing the songs?

#TonyAwards #CountdownToTheTonys #BroadwaysBiggestNight #NYBTTonyAwardsCountdown #ThisIsBroadway



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Sutton Foster to Star Opposite Hugh Jackman in ‘The Music Man’ (Exclusive)

WE LOVE YOU MADLY, MADLY, MADAME LIBRARIAN MARIAN! It has been announced that 2 time Tony Award winning Broadway favorite Sutton Foster will return to the Great White Way in the upcoming revival of Meredith Wilson’s legendary musical The Music Man on Broadway. The celebrated performer (known for her…

More

EXCLUSIVE: The Hollywood Reporter breaks the news on Sutton Foster?s highly anticipated return to Broadway as Marian Paroo in THE MUSIC MAN! Opening October 2020. www.musicmanonbroadway.com

Sutton Foster to Star Opposite Hugh Jackman in ‘The Music Man’ (Exclusive)

The two-time Tony Award-winning triple threat and star of the hit TV Land series 'Younger' will return to Broadway after a six-year absence.

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Rialto Chatter: Hugh Jackman Will Return To Broadway In THE MUSIC MAN

PLEASE FOLKS, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENION PLEASE! It has just been announced that YA GOT TROUBLE (WITH A CAPITOL T, AND THAT RHYMES WITH P, AND THAT STANDS FOR POOL) once again as Meredith Willson's legendary musical The Music Man is eyeing a return to Broadway next year starring the Award winning versatile star of stage and screen himself Hugh Jackman. No word has been announced on the creative team, the actual start date or the Theater it will be performed in.

THE MUSIC MAN is a romantic musical comedy featuring a score and book by Meredith Wilson and Franklin Lacey. It tells the story of Harold Hill, a traveling salesman con artist who arrives in the small town of River City, Iowa convincing and collecting money from the na?ve residents in starting their own marching band. After all the money is collected (for Musical Instruments, Uniforms, Books, and Lessons), he then skips town before the town realizes they have been tricked. However, his world turns upside down when he meets the town's Librarian "Marian Paroo" and eventually fall in love. It features some of the most notable songs ever written for the stage including YA GOT TROUBLE, GOODNIGHT MY SOMEONE, 76 TROMBONES, MARIAN THE LIBRARIAN, MY WHITE KNIGHT, THE WELLS FARGO WAGON, SHIPPOPPI, & TILL THERE WAS YOU.

THE MUSIC MAN was inspired by Meredith Wilson?s 1948 memoir entitled AND THERE I STOOD THERE WITH MY PICCOLO talking about his early life in Iowa and playing in a John Phillip Sousa band. The book did so well, he originally conceived his story as a Musical Television special. However, it did not work out. Wilson later teamed up with Franklin Lacey to edit the book of the show.
In the original script, the character of " Harold Hill" had literally an 8 minute monologue which slowed down the show. They read through it and Wilson started seeing it more as a lyric. The long monologue was then changed into an entire musical named considered as an early version of rap. That song happened to be YA GOT TROUBLE. The inspiration of the leading lady role of "Marian The Librarian" was a woman named that Wilson met during World War II named Marian Seely who as a medical librarian in Utah.

After many years of rewrites, the show had its World Premiere in 1957 at Broadway's Majestic Theatre for 1,375 performances. The creative team featured direction by Morton DaCosta and choreographed by Onna White. The cast starred?.

Tony winners Robert Preston (later Eddie Albert and Bert Parks) as "Harold Hill"

and Barbara Cook as "Marian?.

The original production was nominated for 9 Tony Awards that same year winning 5 including Best Musical, Best Leading Actor in a Musical (for Robert Preston), and Best Leading Actress in a Musical (for Barbara Cook).

The show went on to become a worldwide hit. It was later revived 3 times in New York City.

In 1965, New York City Center presented a limited run of 16 performances stint. The creative team featured direction by Gus Schirmer Jr. and choreography by Vernon Lusby. The cast featured…

Bert Parks as "Harold Hill",

and Gaylea Byrne as ?Marian?

The show was then brought back to New York City Center in 1980 for another short stint of 29 performances. This time, the creative team featured direction and choreography by Michael Kidd. The cast starred?.

Dick Van Dyke as "Harold Hill",

and Meg Bussert as ?Marian?.

Both New York City Center engagements did not receive and Tony Award nominations or wins.

The most recent Broadway revival of THE MUSIC MAN happened in 2000 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre running for a total of 721 performances. This production was directed and choreographed by Tony winner Susan Stroman. The cast starred?

Tony nominee Craig Berko (later Robert Sean Leonard and Eric McCormack) as "Harold Hill",

and Tony nominee Rebecca Luker as "Marian".

The revival was nominated for 8 Tony Awards that year including Best Revival of a Musical but lost all the categories.

In addition to THE MUSIC MAN being a successful stage musical. It also became a huge hit on the screen as well.
The original film adaptation was directed by Morton DaCosta (who directed the original stage production) and was released in 1962 from Warner Bros. Pictures. The cast featured?

Robert Preston reprising his Tony winning performance as "Harold Hill"

and Shirley Jones Ingels as "Marian".

The original film was nominated for 6 Osars that year winning only 1 for Best Score.

In 2003, THE MUSIC MAN was captured on film again. This time it was made as a TV Movie for Disney and ABC Television Network. It was directed by Jeff Bleckner and featured choreography by Tony winner Kathleen Marshall. The cast starred Tony winning favorites?

Matthew Broderick as "Harold Hill"
and Kristin Chenoweth as "Marian".

This TV movie remake was also nominated for a 5 technical Emmy Awards.

THE MUSIC MAN today is also popular show still performed in schools, community, and regional theatres worldwide.

Who is excited to see Hugh go from leading a circus to a marching band 8 times a week?

Rialto Chatter: Hugh Jackman Will Return To Broadway In THE MUSIC MAN

BroadwayWorld has learned that Hugh Jackman will return to Broadway, starring as Harold Hill in a revival of The Music Man! Jackman posted a photo alluding to the upcoming revival on his Instagram account. No dates or theatre have been announced, but sources tell us the revival may be set for as soo…

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Cops bust man wanted for groping teens outside Broadway theater

Last week, there was a report of a sicko man who was groping 4 teenagers outside the stage door of Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre following a performance of Anastasia The Musical. He did it on Thursday (to a 15 year old girl) and then again this past Friday (to a 15, 16, and 19 year old girl).

It has just been reported that the creepy pig whose name is Hosny Elsayed (44 years old and works as a juice vendor) has been CAUGHT by the Police!!!. NYC Detectives recognized him from our very own Times Square, New York City area.

Thoughts?!!

What a creepy pig indeed!!!

Cops bust man wanted for groping teens outside Broadway theater

A Manhattan man wanted for groping three out-of-town teens outside a Broadway theater was busted Monday, according to cops. Hosny Elsayed was arrested ?without incident? in Midtown where he works a?

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Man accused of groping teens outside Broadway theater

HAVE YOU HEARD? WATCH OUT Broadway Stage Door Goers. There has been a report of a suspicious 55 year old man who was groping 3 teenagers outside the Stage Door of the Broadhurst Theatre (following a performance of Anastasia The Musical). Police are on the hunt for him. Thoughts?!

Man accused of groping teens outside Broadway theater

Police are searching for a man accused of groping three teenage girls after a Broadway performance of Anastasia the Musical.

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