McKinney Summer Musicals returns this week with The Music Man

by Shawn Parikh

Last summer was a big year for McKinney Summer Musicals in that they had returned to the metroplex after 11 years with a smash hit. Last year's success of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 27 had over 2500 attendees meant that this theater company was not gonna take another long hiatus. The company is coming back this weekend with the opening of The Music Man that will run from July 5 - 13.

The Music Man is a comedy that woos and wins its audience with open emotions and nostalgia for an oldfashioned American past. The show tells the story of Professor Harold Hill, who sets out to con the good people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he never plans to organize. But this phony peddler sings a different tune when he falls for Marian, the town librarian and piano teacher. Instead of skipping town before the instruments arrive, Harold's love for Marian convinces him to stay and face the music. It’s delightfully fun, energetic, and contains some of the best show music of musical theatre, including "Seventy-six Trombones", "Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little", "Gary, Indiana" and "Till There Was You".

The show will be performed at McKinney North High School and tickets can be purchased online or by calling 214-544-4630. For your consideration, here is clip of the song "Shipoopi" starring Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Broderick from the ABC movie: