The Music Man

This article is about the stage musical. For the 1962 film adaptation, see The Music Man (1962 film). For the 2003 made-for-television adaptation, see The Music Man (2003 film). For other uses, see Music Man.
The Music Man
Original Broadway poster
MusicMeredith Willson
LyricsMeredith Willson
BookMeredith Willson
Franklin Lacey
Productions1957 Broadway
1961 West End
2000 Broadway revival
2022 Broadway revival
AwardsTony Award for Best Musical

The Music Man is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns 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. Harold is no musician, however, and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love with him. He risks being caught to win her heart.

In 1957, the show became a hit on Broadway, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and running for 1,375 performances.[1] The cast album won the first Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and spent 245 weeks on the Billboard charts. The show's success led to Broadway and West End revivals, a popular 1962 film adaptation and a 2003 television adaptation. The Music Man is frequently produced by both professional and amateur theater companies and is a popular choice for high school and college productions.[1]

  1. ^ a b John Kenrick (25 March 2010). Musical Theatre: A History. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 238. ISBN 978-1-4411-4811-7.