The Music Man is a musical by Meredith Wilson which debuted on Broadway in 1957, and has been revived several times since. A staple of community, regional, and high school theatres, the show is set in the fictional town of River City, Iowa, and follows the exploits of traveling salesman Harold Hill, and town librarian, Marian.
Many songs from the musical have become standards in the American songbook, including "Seventy-Six Trombones" and "Pick a Little, Talk a Little".
References
- Episode 2616 is a spoof of The Music Man. Preston Rabbit (named after Robert Preston) comes to Sesame Street and wants to give the people there gifts (rather than con them). The episode includes four song spoofs by Paul Jacobs and Sarah Durkee: "What's Your Name?" spoofs "Iowa Stubborn"; "TROUBLE" on Sesame Street spoofs "TROUBLE" in River City; "Until There Was a U" spoofs "Till There Was You"; and "Seventeen Ice Cream Cones" spoofs "Seventy-Six Trombones".
- On Sesame Street, Professor Gary Gill travels around the country selling the letter G. He shows up on Sesame Street with his two assistants in episode 4076 to help Baby Bear improve his growl, and sings a parody of "Ya Got Trouble."
- Slimey is surrounded by pieces of costumes and casts off a hat that Oscar says looks like something from The Music Man in episode 3856.
- Indigo is a bluebird who is feeling blue, and Big Bird figures he can cheer him up by shouting "Seventy-Six Trombones" in his face, until Bob suggests something more soothing.
- In Elmo's World: Music, The Music Channel shows a documentary about the very first music played in the entire world ever. It then advertises that coming up next is The Music Man, The Sound of Music and Name That Tune.
Connections
- Paul Benedict played Mayor Shinn in the 2000 Broadway revival
- Matthew Broderick played Harold Hill in the 2003 TV movie
- Barbara Cook played Marian Paroo in the original 1957 Broadway production
- Kristin Chenoweth played Marian Paroo in the 2003 TV movie
- Hermione Gingold played Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn in the 1962 film
- Buddy Hackett played Marcellus Washburn in the 1962 film
- Ron Howard played Winthrop Paroo in the 1962 film
- Shirley Jones played Marian Paroo in the 1962 film
- Molly Shannon played Mrs. Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn in the 2003 TV movie
- Dick Van Dyke played Harold Hill in the 1980 Broadway revival