"Sports often gets a lot of attention, and we wanted to emphasize the cultural arts in the community," said Marny Clark, director of The Music Man. "We also wanted to give the community the chance to come and see a live production."
Set in 1912, The Music Man is the story of "Professor" Harold Hill, who goes from town to town promising he'll help the local youth form a town band. After taking pre-paid money for instruments and uniforms, he skips town and goes on to his next target.
When Hill arrives in the small town of River City, Iowa, however, his scam gets complicated when he becomes attracted to the local librarian, Marian Paroo. They begin to fall for one another just as a rival instrument salesman comes to town, intent on exposing Hill's scam.
The Kaysville production, which will involve 140 people, including a volunteer orchestra from all over the community, will work directly from the original Broadway script. Though some of the dance numbers have been shortened because of time and resources, no scenes were cut out.
"We were looking for family-friendly entertainment," said Clark about the production. "Music Man also has parts for both adults and children, so we could involve a whole age range of people. Our youngest cast member is five."
With the range of ages has come a wide range of experience among the entirely volunteer cast and crew.
Though this is the first lead role for Amy Hoagland, who plays Marian, she and Jay Atwater, who plays Harold Hill, have had several years of community theater experience. Clark had previously directed plays at Kaysville Jr. High.
Though the group had to rent backdrops from Pioneer Theatre Company, most of the sets are volunteer creations. Marian's home was built in a nearby garage. Clark's father, Gordon Peterson, built the train and storefront sets used in the play.
"It's been wonderful. It seems like when we've needed something someone's come out of the woodwork to help us," said Clark. "We didn't have a lot of time, but we don't feel any of that time has been wasted."
Tickets are available at Bowman's or Pepperbelly's in Kaysville. Though not necessary for admittance, the group hopes to use the tickets to predict how many people will be attending each show.
jwardell@davisclipper.com
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