The Music Man
at Taylor High School

Reviewed on February 14, 2020

Erin Driehaus
Mercy McAuley High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 1

Gather your trumpets, flutes, and finest uniforms! Taylor High School's "The Music Man" marched its way onto the stage and provided a thoroughly entertaining performance.

"The Music Man ," set in 1912, tells the iconic story of Harold Hill and his adventure into River City, Iowa, where he hopes to swindle citizens out of their money by forming a boys' band. Attempting to quell suspicion about his motives and credibility, Hill decides to charm the local music teacher, Marian , ultimately resulting in the two developing real feelings for each other. Confusion, drama, and a lot of musical numbers ensue as the intrepid couple dodges the challenges brought on by Hill's band and realize their true feelings for one another.

Taylor High School's "The Music Man" was filled to the brim with energetic dancing, impressive diction, and clearly-evident chemistry. Taylor's superb cast and adept crews delivered a performance that was enjoyable in every aspect and showcased their numerous talents.

Starring as Harold Hill , Ben Wessel was fantastic in his performance, dominating the stage with his impressive skills in both acting and singing. Wessel perfectly encapsulated his character, expressing Hill's complex emotions through song. Wessel's melodious voice soared as he effortlessly sung the iconic songs of this classic show, never wavering and without a single note out of key. Wessel had wonderful stage and vocal chemistry with Emily Brettschneider , who portrayed Marian . The combination of Wessel's rich timbre and Brettschneider's lovely soprano voice in "Till There Was You" was perfect; their two voices blended together in a pleasant harmony.

Other standout performances from the cast include Lucy Stratton as Mrs. Paroo and Nick Swope as Mayor Shin . Stratton was hilarious, providing many of the funniest interactions throughout the show, all while still maintaining her impressive Irish accent. Swope took on the important role of the show's main antagonist, managing to embody his character in a way that was distinct and engaging through his Iowan inflection and physicality. The cast, as a whole, kept up their high energy during the entire performance, even after many intricate dance numbers. The Quartet , consisting of Henry Aug , Tommy Hensler , Nick Burley , and Michael Rapien were especially entertaining, maintaining the energy of the show through their sweet harmonies.

Taylor's talented sets and props crews were vital to the establishment of the small-town Iowan setting. Eve Ullmann , Aiden Flores< cq>, Piper Chatman , and Nick Buirley provided the show with multiple moving set pieces that helped communicate the location of characters throughout the show, from the bleachers in the gymnasium to the romantic footbridge. Piper Chatman and Makayla McVey also helped establish setting by providing characters with items tying them to the scene, such as the books in the library or Mrs. Paroo's needlework.

Thanks to the many talents of their cast and crew, Taylor's "The Music Man" was a high energy and entertaining retelling of the timeless tale of the traveling band salesman that succinctly captured the joy and spirit of the classic story.

Charlotte Shores
Randall K. Cooper High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 10

After a new pool table is installed in the local billiard parlor, a whole lot of trouble is found in River City. Although the River City Citizens certainly experienced their fair share of trouble, it is as clear "as a button hook in the well water" that Taylor High School and their sensational production of "The Music Man" did not.

Written by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey , "The Music Man" takes place in the fictional town of River City, Iowa in the year 1912. The money-hungry Harold Hill convinces the entire town that they have trouble while proclaiming to be a professor of music. Although Hill can impress all other River City residents with his charismatic smooth-talking, Marian , the conceited librarian and music teacher, is suspicious of his true intentions. While the con man roams, this once sleepy and dull town is transformed into an energetic and musical wonderland.

The production, as a whole, brought forward a monstrous amount of enthusiasm and consistency, even during various long dance numbers such as "Shipoopi" and "Marian the Librarian ." The harmonious energy and consistency of each actor were enthralling and well-rehearsed.

Ben Wessel effortlessly brought Harold Hill's silver tongue and charisma to life while leading high-energy numbers with mellifluous and rich vocals. Emily Brettschneider , in the role of Marian , exercises caution and restraint with her love interest, yet, as the story evolves, she is showcased through her body language and voice that she is capable of deep devotion. Lucy Stratton whom she played off well, was a star in her own right. With an impressive Irish dialect, Stratton displays a cheerful and spunky nature in the motherly role of Mrs. Paroo .

Similarly, the supporting actors and actresses tackled their roles with excellence, making even the smaller characters stand out. Nick Swope displayed his skepticism towards the town rumor mill in the overprotective blustery comedic role of Mayor Shinn . In addition, with high kicks and flips, Trevor Josshua and Anna Bracken put forth phenomenal coherence in their intricate dance moves as the roles of Tommy Djilas and Zaneeta Shinn , respectively.

As the curtain opened, a group of men appeared on a train with movable benches and a back wall measuring ten feet. This scene was made possible by the Set Design team of Aiden Flores and Cole Wolterman . The Lighting Design by Winston McKinney was executed to a tee by Blake Wanek , especially during scenes with tough lightning cues where the lighting followed characters as they moved across the stage. In addition, the Props Team, consisting of Piper Chatman and Makayla McVey , designed lighter-weight books out of cardboard and paper that were present in the dance number "Marian the Librarian ."

They may not have had 76 Trombones, but nonetheless, Taylor High School certainly had everything else in this astonishing comedic musical. Overall, the cast and crew excelled in their heartwarming performance of "The Music Man ."

Annika Halonen
Seven Hills School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 2

With blaring trombones and thundering bassoons, Taylor High School's production of "The Music Man" left a beloved conman/band director marching into the hearts of many. Bringing this classic tale to the stage, Taylor High School combined elements of the past and present to preserve the classic charm of the beloved Meredith Willson musical.

"The Music Man," written by Meredith Willson, is the story of a small town in Iowa that turns upside-down with the arrival of con-artist, Harold Hill . "Professor" Hill comes to River City intending to start a boys' band and ends up attempting to seduce the music teacher and town librarian, Marian Paroo . Through the story of fraud, love, and a Wells Fargo Wagon full of band instruments, the Iowans and their new visitor are reminded of the importance of family and true love.

Taking on the leading role of Harold Hill was Ben Wessel , who approached the role with a quick wit and strong vocals. The citizens of River City were deceived in every scene by his mild-manner and sunny disposition, leaving time for the con-man to sing through a quick tune before moving on to his next act of deception. Paralleling his talent in both acting and vocals, Emily Brettschneider tackled the role of Marian Paroo with style, grace, and a beautiful singing voice. With songs like "Goodnight, My Someone" and "My White Night" , she brought balance and poise to the otherwise fast-paced show.

In terms of the large ensemble of "The Music Man ," the citizens of River City brought consistent energy and harmonized vocals, keeping the town lively from the small scenes to the large songs. Big dance numbers such as "Seventy-Six Trombones" and "Shipoopi" demonstrated the strong soul of the people with help from the perfect formations and clean dance moves.

Another important aspect that brought individuality to this town was the intricate hair and makeup designs created by Makayla McVey , Tommy Hensler , and Bella Winegeart . The difference in hair designs between the young and older characters helped to show the age variations among citizens of the town. The simple make-up also helped to give important depth to the women of the town.

Bringing the entire show together, the stage management team, led by Eve Ullmann , did an excellent job keeping up with set changes and keeping the cast on track. The set changes were all smooth and quick, keeping the presence of stage crew to a minimum and leaving room for the beautiful set to be noticed. Complimenting the set well was the lighting design (created by Winston McKinney ) which, while simple, fit the Iowa town well and complemented the movement onstage in numbers such as "Rock Island" and "Marian the Librarian."

No detail, small or large, was left unattended in this production, from character details to props or lighting. The spirit of this timeless classic was well-preserved by the energy and intricacy of every element of Taylor High School's production of "The Music Man ."

Mattie Flynn
Mercy McAuley High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 3

Taylor High School rivaled the energy and excitement of even seventy-six trombones in their production of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man ."

Set in 1912 Iowa, "The Music Man" follows the story of Harold Hill , a conman traveling town to town selling instruments with the promise of forming a town band. This small town in Iowa is no different. Marian Paroo , the town's resident piano teacher and librarian, catches Harold's eye, and the two slowly form a romantic bond. Everything goes according to plan for Harold until a rival salesman shows up to town and exposes his lies. With the help of the town children and a certain librarian who secretly knew he was a fake from the beginning, the children succeed in forming a band and impressing their parents with a song that somewhat resembles "Minuet in G ."

The students at Taylor High School performed a fine production of "The Music Man ." They tackled the cast of quirky characters with ease, creating unique and differentiable onstage personalities. The sets and props were perfectly suited to the show, both period and location-wise.

Heading the cast was Ben Wessel , who played an exceptional Harold Hill . Wessel's deep, rich voice flowed through each song, and his easy vibrato shone through, especially in the song "Marian the Librarian ." He was a natural on stage, creating wonderful chemistry with each of his castmates, namely Emily Brettschneider , who played the role of Marian . Brettschneider was a perfect fit for her role. Her crystal clear soprano vocals and gentle vibrato beautifully glided through the music, and there was seemingly no end to her high range. Brettschneider carried herself with grace every time she walked onstage.

This cast demonstrated impressive skill from accents to dancing to beautiful harmonies. Lucy Stratton , who played Mrs. Paroo , Marian's Irish mother, is a prime example of those skills. Stratton kept an impressive Irish accent that never faltered, even when singing. Trevor Josshua and Anna Bracken , playing Tommy Djilas and Zaneeta Shinn respectively, had wonderful chemistry. Their dancing was impressive, and they executed the choreography well. The four Quartet members, Tommy Hensler , Henry Aug , Nick Buirley , and Michael Rapien , accomplished difficult harmonies in many songs throughout the production. The ensemble showed great commitment to the choreography and demonstrated vocal skill with fine harmonies in each song.

The technical aspects of this show splendidly captured the feel of 1912 Iowa in their sets and props, especially. Their simple set painted the perfect picture of the small town in which the show took place. The attention to detail on the houses and the footbridge helped make the locations come alive. Attention to detail was a common theme in the crews of this show. The props were well-made and interesting to look at. They fit the needs of the show well.

It seemed that Taylor High School was "Iowa Stubborn" to put on a good show, and they succeeded in their production of "The Music Man ."

Nadya Ellerhorst
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 4

What do you get when you cross 76 trombones, 110 coronets, and "more than a thousand reeds springing up like weeds?" A noise complaint? Not quite! Instead, you get Taylor High School's rousing production of "The Music Man ."

Often considered a quintessentially-American musical classic, "The Music Man" was the brainchild of Meredith Willson who wrote its book, music, and lyrics. Making its Broadway debut in 1957, the musical soon earned five Tonys, including "Best Musical," and in 1962 was transformed into a critically-acclaimed film. The musical centers on the exploits of conman Harold Hill as he convinces a small Iowa town that its supposedly rampant corruption can be quelled only by the formation of a band. In all his swindling, he becomes smitten with the town's prim and proper librarian, Marian Paroo , and both are forced to reevaluate their contrasting morals as they fall deeper in love.

Acting and technical elements intertwined to create an old-timey spectacle complete with spirited musical numbers and an abundance of feel-good humor. With a vocally-dexterous, zestful cast, cleverly designed set, and period-appropriate hair and makeup, 1912 River City, Iowa was vividly brought to life.

Although every cast member maintained a splendid energy for the entirety of the show, the spectacle wouldn't have been complete without Ben Wessel as cunning Harold Hill and Emily Brettschneider as strait-laced Marian Paroo . Wessel upheld a suave and crafty demeanor from the musical's start and served as an ideal foil to Brettschneider's proper, stuffy character, who brushed off his initial flirtations like dust from one of her beloved bookshelves. The duo's vocal talents must also be lauded. Wessel's dynamic voice, combined with his clever stage movements, made for wonderfully entertaining numbers, especially in "(Ya Got) Trouble" and "Marian The Librarian ." Likewise, with a vibrato as lovely and clear as an Iowa country sky, Brettschneider offered moving performances, especially in "Goodnight, My Someone ," in which the softer side of her character was beautifully revealed.

Additionally, Lucy Stratton< cq> as the kind Mrs. Paroo made for a delightful addition to the show, offering motherly wisdom and hilarious exuberance, such as when lauding Hill's< cq> apparently foolproof "think system." Stratton's ability to preserve her convincing Irish accent, even while singing, was likewise impressive. Also notable was the melodious Quartet comprised of Tommy Hensler , Henry Aug , Nick Buirley , and Michael Rapien . Starting off as a quadruplet of quarrels, under the direction of Hill , the Quartet soon overcame their differences to form a smooth four-part harmony. Although some cast members' lines were difficult to understand in the midst of more crowded scenes, their ability to keep up with the show's overall quick pace was admirable.

Toe-tapping tunes aside, the production's set, hair, and make-up offered much to its early 20th-century feel. Set highlights included a train complete with upholstered benches and the cozy porch of the Paroo household. Thanks to the set's simple yet effective design and the concurrent efforts of the crew, scenes were generally able to change faster than you can say "Shipoopi." The period-appropriate hairstyles and make-up brought to life through research by Makayla McVey , Bella Winegeart , and Tommy Hensler were equally impactful. From utilizing half ponytails and hair buns to distinguish between River City's younger and older female residents, to the lifelike wrinkles on Mayor Shinn's face, the show's hair and make-up made a profound contribution to the musical's vintage air.

Taylor High School begins with a capital "T", and that rhymes with "P," and that stands for passionate. With their vibrant, memorable production of "The Music Man ," the evident dedication of both the cast and crew were put center stage.

Lizzy Schutte
Mercy McAuley High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 5

The cast and crew of Taylor High School Drama did justice to a timeless classic in their production of "The Music Man ." Staying within the time period with impressive accuracy, they took a journey to early 1900's Iowa, where song and dance have never gone out of style.

"The Music Man" tells the story of Professor Harold Hill , a con artist who travels from town to town, promising to start bands for the children, collecting money for uniforms and instruments, and promptly skipping town without making good on his promises. He finds a reason to stay in a small town in Iowa, however, when his heart is captured by the town librarian, Marian .

Ben Wessel portrayed the leading character, Harold Hill, with quick wit and a smooth voice that rose and fell in tandem with the classic musical accompaniment. Wessel embodied the charming and sly Professor Hill with well-developed character, and his voice beautifully serenaded his on-stage love interest, Marian . Emily Brettschneider took on the role of Marian terrifically with her high-reaching vocal range required by the role. Brettschneider kept up the smug, poised disposition of the town librarian before melting into a romantic chemistry with her counterpart, Professor Hill . The two led the show beautifully, portraying a sweet and funny boy-meets-girl love story wrought with witty banter and starry eyes.

Supporting the leading performers with a steady stream of comedy were Mrs. Paroo , played by Lucy Stratton , and Mayor Shinn , played by Nick Swope . Each character brought a burst of comedy in a different way. Mrs. Paroo's cheeky urging of her daughter to pursue Professor Hill romantically was a relatable source of laughter. The slapstick comedy engendered from Mayor Shinn's blundering antics did justice to another classic form of comedic relief. Also, not to be overlooked was the sonorous melody put forth by The Quartet which had a consistent sound that was especially beautiful in ballads such as "Lida Rose ."

The set of the show was noteworthy as well, as it produced a true sensation of being transported to rural Iowa in the early 1900's. The props stayed consistent with the set and time period as well, carefully created and detail-oriented. The hair and makeup fit the time period with spot-on accuracy, pairing well with the captivating costuming. The visual aesthetics of the show certainly matched the quality of the performance.

Taylor High School Drama produced a spot-on rendition of a well-known classic, "The Music Man ." From the expert on-stage chemistry and full sound of the chorus, to aesthetically consistent set pieces and costumes, the production was well-rounded with comedy, time-period accuracy, romance, and nostalgia.

Caitlin Kirton
Campbell County High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 6

It's never been so easy to fall in love with a crooked con artist as it was in Taylor High School's production of "The Music Man ." Set in 1912, the musical follows a traveling salesman, Harold Hill , whose goal is to con as many cities as he can. His scheme: convince the townspeople that their children need to form a marching band. He creates panic in the town by persuading the parents that the new pool table will be an issue for their children. Marian Paroo , the town's music teacher, is skeptical of Harold because he knows nothing about music. As the show progresses, Marian and Harold fall in love, and the citizens of River City come together over the band.

With Ben Wessel as Harold Hill and Emily Brettschneider playing Marian Paroo , the romance between the leads was beautifully developed. Both of their vocals were remarkable; they hit the notes effortlessly. Lucy Stratton tackled the challenge of using an Irish accent wonderfully as Mrs. Paroo , and her performance was simply hilarious and heartfelt. Marcellus Washburn , played by Ryan McCollum , added an interesting dynamic that gave Harold Hill a connection to the River City. His skeptical remarks and friendly banter were perfectly executed.

One of the most impressive elements of the play was the challenging choreography that all did with ease. Trevor Josshua , playing Tommy Djilas , and Anna Bracken , playing Zaneeta Shinn , did fantastic leaps, kicks, and spins that were a joy to watch. In every scene they were in together, they created the most adorable romance. Another notable element was the use of a quartet. The Quartet (Tommy Hensler , Henry Aug , Nick Buirley , and Michael Rapien ) helped narrate the story after it was formed, and their harmonies would make anyone smile. The entire cast made sure that every moment was filled, and the large ensemble made it feel like a real town.

The town of River City was also made a reality through the effective set design. The set crew (Eve Ullmann , Aiden Flores , Piper Chatman , and Nick Buirley ) designed and built most of the set. The fronts of house and store signs were all rigged into the fly system and flown in during certain scenes; this brilliant use of flies made it easy to distinguish where the characters were in every scene. Even the backdrop had details that made it obvious that it was set in Iowa. With the use of flies and numerous set pieces, the stage crew (Eve Ullmann , Brandon McCollum , Gracie Konrad , and Cole Wolterman ) had impressively quick scene changes. The make-up and hair crew (Makayla McVey , Bella Winegeart , and Tommy Hensler ) had a large cast to take care of, but they made sure that all the wigs were perfect and a hair wasn't out of place. The detail given to the hairstyles was one of the factors that strengthened the 1912 setting.

Taylor High School's production of "The Music Man" was truly heartwarming. As all the children of the town came out with their instruments and uniforms in the final scene, the citizens of River City came together. The final moments reflected the passion everyone in the cast and crew had for this show.

Eva Schramm
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 7

When a con man tricks a ragtag band into playing music, a shy boy into speaking, a town into believing in itself, and a librarian into falling in love, that means "Ya Got Trouble" in Taylor High School's production of the well-known classic, "The Music Man ."

Meredith Willson's "The Music Man" is a masterpiece of musical theater from 1957. When Professor Harold Hill , a traveling con man, arrives in River City, Iowa, he convinces the locals to start a marching band by providing him money to purchase the uniforms and instruments. His intention is to flee as soon as he receives enough cash, but not everyone in town believes his promises. Mayor Shinn doubts his credibility and seeks to expose his lies. Librarian Marian Paroo suspects Hill is a fraud but holds her tongue since her shy brother, Winthrop , is participating in the band. As Hill begins to develop feelings for Marian , he faces a difficult decision about skipping town. By the musical's end, Hill has changed everyone for the better, including himself, when he realizes that the joy he brings is worth far more than what he sells.

Taylor High School's production couldn't have been more entertaining. The combination of the high-energy ensemble, superb vocal quality, and dynamic choreography created the perfect environment for a spectacular show.

The title character was portrayed by Ben Wessel , who perfectly captured the confidence and suave of Harold Hill . His adept acting talent, along with his excellent vocal ability, made every moment memorable. Wessel's connection with Emily Brettschneider , portraying Marian , was truly authentic. Their performance of "Till There Was You" was entirely breathtaking and beautiful. Supporting characters Mayor Shinn and Ms. Shinn , played by Nick Swope and Katie Pangallo respectively, demonstrated impressive characterization and comic timing with their humorous performances. Forbidden teenage lovers, Tommy Djilas (Trevor Josshua ) and Zaneeta Shinn (Anna Bracken ) also were distinctly captivating with their advanced dance skills and unmatched energy.

"The Music Man" presents a major technical challenge. The story takes place in a variety of locations around River City . Taylor High School conquered this by using several store signs and base set pieces to establish location. The stage management team, made up of Eve Ullmann and Makayla McVey , had their hands full with tracking the many transitions. However, they rose above the challenge using excellent organizational skills to plan for easy transitions. Using their fly system, the stage crew was able to complete scene changes quickly and fluently. Winston McKinney's dynamic lighting isolated scenes to shift focus and assist in establishing the many locations. Taylor High School's technical teams brought the town of River City to life onstage.

Taylor High School captured the beauty behind this musical theater classic. Through high energy performances, well thought out scene changes, astonishing vocal quality, and "Seventy-Six Trombones," Taylor High School's production of "The Music Man" was nothing short of marvelous.

Elizabeth Volk
Saint Ursula Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 8

Seventy-six trombones, a hundred and ten cornets, and over a thousand reeds: this sounds almost too good to be true for a marching band! While it might be an exaggeration, other bands can certainly rival this imagined one's performance through their dedication and energy. This was especially true in Taylor High School's delightfully charming production of Meredith Willson' s musical, "The Music Man ."

In 1912, notorious con man Harold Hill arrives in the small town of River City, Iowa in hopes of swindling money out of the innocent townspeople. Over Mayor Shinn's protests, he convinces them that they need a boys' marching band to curtail the "trouble" caused by a new pool table. Hill even woos the uptight librarian Marian, despite having no true feelings for her. However, he starts to question his lying ways when Marian returns his affections and saves him from the Mayor's ire.

The cast of Taylor's production admirably rose to the challenge created by the show's demanding vocals and choreography. They synchronized their dancing and harmonies to form a cohesive portrait of a close-knit community. The crew's contributions also succeeded at bringing River City to life, highlighting and complementing its unique inhabitants.

As Harold Hill , Ben Wessel brilliantly embodied the role of a fast-talking, conniving salesman. His powerful vocals and assertive stage presence made Hill's deceptions believable, especially when seducing Marian< cq> with an elaborate dance number in her library. In the latter part of the show, Wessel brought a previously unseen softness to Hill to demonstrate how he has changed. Wonderfully working alongside him was Emily Brettschneider as Marian . From the start, her pure soprano voice contrasted her hard exterior, revealing Marian's true kindness.

Lucy Stratton , who portrayed Marian's mother Mrs. Paroo , magnificently maintained a thick yet understandable Irish accent. As Zaneeta Shinn and Tommy Djilas , Anna Bracken and Trevor Josshua< cq> superbly expressed the young lovers' carefree attitudes through their excellent dancing. The Quartet , consisting of four school board members that Hill tricks into becoming a barbershop quartet, harmonized beautifully with each other during acapella segments. With each song, their confidence and connection with each other grew, eventually turning them into a true vocal ensemble.

Just like the cast, the crew fully committed to creating the town. The simplistic sets, designed and built by Eve Ullmann , Aiden Flores , Piper Chatman , and Nick Buirley , suggested the town while keeping the focus on the characters. Their attention to detail impressed, particularly with the accents on Marian's house matching her costumes and with the signs identifying key locations in the town. Makayla McVey , Bella Winegeart , and Tommy Hensler conceptualized the hair and makeup to match both the time period and the characters' personalities. They aged some performers up to match the demographics of an actual town and created beautiful hairstyles.

With verve and confidence, Taylor High School put on a lovely production of "The Music Man ." Through their synchronization, the company created a production capable of rivaling a larger-than-life marching band.

Bethany Groeschen
Randall K. Cooper High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 9

One Iowan town, one librarian, one phony scam, one music man, and seventy-six trombones make for an entertaining tale of deception and honesty, distaste and love. Taylor High School , bursting with musical talent, wove this tale with their production of "The Music Man ."

A scam artist, masquerading as one "Professor Harold Hill" , arrives in River City, Iowa intending to make a big buck by forming a boys' band and embezzling the participants' money. However, the unexpected happens when the charlatan finds himself eagerly falling in love with the stubborn and much-less-eager Marian the librarian, and his façade is discovered by the people of the small town. What no one realizes until the end is that the professor's intentions were ultimately overshadowed by the comradery and liveliness he brought to the stubborn little town.

Energy spread through the theater as the Taylor High School's theatrical cast and crew opened their premiere performance of Meredith Willson's "The Music Man ." The choreography beautifully displayed the varying talent across the company. With beautiful vocals gracing showstopping classics and entertaining favorites, such as "Seventy-Six Trombones ," "Marian The Librarian," and "Shipoopi ," the stage became wonderfully alive.

With her angelic musical gift, Emily Brettschneider vocalized her dream and desire for love as Marian Paroo , the local librarian and piano instructor. Her indecision and apprehension about Harold Hill showed distinctly in the actions and upon the face of this talented actress, and the romantic tension between this lead and her counterpart was as thick as Harold Hill's web of lies. With his astoundingly mature voice, Ben Wessel , as Professor Harold Hill, crooned his playful love interest in the local librarian with "Marian The Librarian ," and his faux concern with the safety of the town's young people with "(Ya Got) Trouble ." From the delivery of his scam to the wooing of his new love interest, Wessel embodied every aspect of the cheating, phony, music man.

Under the instruction of Professor Harold Hill , a male quartet spontaneously formed. Tommy Hensler , Henry Aug , Nick Buirley , and Michael Rapien creatively displayed the progression of the quartet as they practice, each time improving their skills and tightening their harmonies. The progression was shown throughout the show, and the difficulty of the task was handled with precision and released a musically pleasing outcome.

Costumes played a significant role in this musical, indicating the time period and setting. The dresses and suits were superb and made it simple to distinguish the characters with significant roles. There was creativity in Marian's transition from a dress that implied her uptightness to a dress that showed she had been put at ease by Harold Hill .

Taylor High School's performers taught the power of love and the significance of truth and honesty as they wove the tale of "The Music Man" that changed a stubborn town and a stubborn heart.