Cocktail Party Fact: Meredith Willson based the musical on his own experiences growing up in Mason City, Iowa. The patented patter type rythmic songs, which we think of as unique to this show were a staple on his radio program. He also actually did play piccolo in John Philip Sousa’s marching Band.

Here’s The Plot: Traveling salesman and con man Harold Hill arrives in the sleepy Iowa town of River City determined to fleece the locals of their money with his newest scam. He wants to convince the parents that their children need to be in a marching band, order lots of instruments and uniforms, and before they can realize he doesn’t know how to teach them anything, skip town. The town’s unmarried librarian, Marion Paroo, sees through his charm. Fearing she might give him away, Hill sweet talks her and tries to distract her by seeming to fall in love with her. To his surprise, he actually does. And Marion, when she sees the pride and self respect that the town’s children exhibit when given this wonderful dream — especially her little brother Winthrop — ends up siding with the now reformed “Music Man.”

Memorable Melodies: “Iowa Stubborn,” “Trouble,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Marion the Librarian,” “Wells Fargo Wagon,” and “‘Til There Was You.”

Vital Statistics: Book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson, story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey. Directed by Morton DaCosta, choreographed by Onna White. Originally produced by Kermit Bloomgarden with Herbert Greene, in association with Frank Productions. Opened on December 19, 1957 at the Majestic Theater and ran 1,375 performances.

Why See It?: In its evocation of small town turn of the century American life, with its mixture of Barbershop Quartets, Town Women’s Dance Recitals, cakewalks and ice cream socials, The Music Man stands as a cheery welcome home for weary theatergoers. What might not be so immediately apparent is the extraordinary sophistication of the musical moments, with numerous songs sung in counterpoint, blending together everything from gossiping ladies sung against a quartet singing “Goodnight Ladies,” to a stirring march fitting perfectly with a waltz-like ballad such as “Seventy-Six Trombones” and “Goodnight My Someone.”