Neshaminy celebrates 60 years of musicals with "The Music Man"

In 1964 Neshaminy staged its very first musical, Meredith Willson's The Music Man. Directed by music teacher and Choir Director Theodore Kloos (now the namesake of the school's auditorium), the production was described in that year's NHS yearbook as, "Spectacular, stupendous, insurmountable," the show "filled the auditorium to capacity with an anticipating audience, anxious to view the product of months of travail by the Music Department. The result was fabulous -- 'better than Broadway' was the reaction of one gentleman. And it truly was."

The show is ready to make a grand return from Thursday, February 2 through Sunday, February 5. This version is directed by Choir Director Kristin Nichols, herself a Neshaminy graduate and features performances by two lead casts that alternate shows during the run. Ninety-four students are in the cast, and with the tech crew the number of students participating this year reaches 100. Several performers from Neshaminy's elementary schools also appear in the show.

Following rehearsal on Saturday, January 28, both casts had the opportunity to meet Craig Bierko, who portrayed Harold Hill in the first Broadway revival of the show in 2000. Bierko, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance, has an extensive career in film, television and on stage. He was currently in Los Angeles working on a TV show but took time out via Zoom to talk about his experience as the lead in this major production and offer advice to our casts about their own performances and acting in general. He called The Music Man "a gift to the audience," and urged the Neshaminy cast to enjoy every moment and to bring their own unique perspective to their characters.

The Music Man was first performed on Broadway in 1957. It featured Robert Preston playing charming con man Harold Hill, who attempts to hoodwink an entire Iowa community with promises of teaching their children to play musical instruments and form a marching band. He plans to skip town after selling them instruments and uniforms but without any lessons since he actually has no musical ability. His plans are thwarted by the town's librarian and piano teacher Marian who sees through the con. Two fall in love, and things get complicated as a result.

The show features songs that have become American standards, energetic choreography, and colorful period costumes and sets. The Music Man is family-friendly with lots of humor, music and energy to keep even the youngest audience members delighted.

All tickets for The Music Man at Neshaminy HS can be purchased in advance online for $10 (plus a $2 service fee) or $12 at the door (cash only, please). Performance times and dates are as follows:

• Thursday, February 2, 7 pm
• Friday, February 3, 7 pm
• Saturday, February 4, 1 pm
• Saturday, February 4, 7 pm
• Sunday, February 5, 1 pm

Ticket purchasing and cast information can be found at www.neshaminy.org/musical.

Neshaminy High School is located at 2001 Old Lincoln Highway in Langhorne.