The Music Man KIDS (Grades 3-5)
Session A
Mondays & Wednesdays

Time commitment: March 21-May 21

Based on Meredith Willson's six-time-Tony-Award-winning musical comedy, The Music Man KIDS features some of musical theatre’s most iconic songs and a story filled with wit, warmth and good old-fashioned romance. The Music Man KIDS is family entertainment at its best — a bold, brassy show that will have the whole town atwitter!

Master showman Harold Hill is in town and he’s got “seventy-six trombones” in tow. Can upright, uptight Marian, the town librarian, resist his powerful allure? The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman, Harold Hill, as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize. The catch? He doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, whose belief in Harold’s power just might help him succeed in the end in spite of himself.

HITS Theatre performance classes are an opportunity for students to develop their acting, singing, and dancing skills through a traditional rehearsal process. Each production is supported by a professional director, choreographer, music director, stage manager, and designers. As an ensemble, the students each play an important role in telling the story for a live audience by learning music, choreography, and staging. Our creative team guides the students through character development, proper vocal technique, while strengthening motor skills, coordination, and social-emotional learning.

Instructors:
DENNIS ARROWSMITH - DIRECTOR
DANA LEWIS - CHOREOGRAPHER
MATT JONES- MUSICAL DIRECTOR
SOPHIE CLAYTON - STAGE MANAGER

THE MUSIC MAN KIDS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.  www.MTIShows.com

DATES/TIMES:

Rehearsals

March 21 - May 11, 2022

Mondays & Wednesdays

4:45-6:15 p.m.

No class on Monday, March 28th in observance of Chavez Huerta Day.

DRESS REHEARSALS (Two 2-hour rehearsals)

Attendance at dress rehearsals is mandatory. Please consult your family’s calendar before registering for this class.

May 16 & 18, 2022
Monday & Wednesday
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

PERFORMANCES (Two 30-minute performances)

Student participation in both public performances is required. Check all performance dates and times prior to registration.

Friday, May 20

4:30 p.m. Actors and Crew Called
5:15 p.m. Final Dress Rehearsal
6:15 p.m. Break
6:30 p.m. Performance #1

Saturday, May 21

1:00 p.m. Actors and Crew Called
2:00 p.m. Performance #2


TUITION:
$595.00 tuition and materials fee per student after January 31, 2022.
$25.00 annual registration fee per account

*Financial Assistance and Payment Plans are available by application - click on corresponding tab above.  These applications should be submitted BEFORE registering for the class.*

AUDITIONS/PLACEMENTS:

Auditions will occur during the first 2 rehearsals. All students will read lines from the script and learn a short vocal & dance combination to assess skill levels. Students are not expected to prepare anything for auditions, but some have found taking private voice and acting lessons helpful to boost confidence on audition days.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Please notify HITS Theatre of any known conflicts with the rehearsal schedule prior to the first day of class. Any unexcused tardy or absence may result in reassignment of roles and/or removal from production numbers at the discretion of the production team. Two unexcused absences may result in the removal from the production.  Participation in Dress Rehearsals and Performances is required.

HITS understands life brings surprises and new conflicts may arise. We encourage families to notify HITS Front Desk as soon as possible so our instructors can properly plan for rehearsals.

ATTIRE:
Comfortable clothing that allows movement and closed-toed shoes with rubber soles. Jazz shoes are recommended.

HEALTH/SAFETY:
Students will be required to adhere to all safety procedures and practice social distancing at all possible times. HITS Theatre reserves the right to refuse entry or dismiss anyone who does not adhere to theater policies. For more information, visit https://hitstheatre.org/health-and-safety/

Professor Harold Hill, a fast-talking traveling salesman with a shady reputation ("Rock Island"), arrives in River City, Iowa, on the morning of July 4, 1912. Hill moves from town to town, selling musical instruments, uniforms and the promise of forming a boy's band. Hill is a crafty character whose standard procedure is to leave town with the money he collects before anyone is able to discover he cannot read music. The townspeople greet each other and sing with pride about their inflexible nature ("Iowa Stubborn"). As they disperse, Hill enters the scene and begins to focus attention on the need for a boy's band and the trouble that has entered River City in the shape of a pool table ("Ya Got Trouble").

An old friend has warned Harold about Marian, the willful town librarian and music teacher. After her first encounter with Harold, Marian speaks about his unwanted advances to her mother, Mrs. Paroo. Mrs. Paroo scolds Marian for not speaking to the man and criticizes Marian's high expectations ("Piano Lesson"). Marian reflects on her plight while listening to her young piano student, Amaryllis, practicing a piano lesson ("Goodnight, My Someone"). Later at the Fourth of July celebration, Harold steals the crowd's attention to move in and sell his band idea ("Seventy-Six Trombones"). Mayor Shinn pushes for proper credentials from Harold.

Harold follows Marian to the library, where she warns him that she will check his credentials. The ladies in town gossip about the charming newcomer ("Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little").

Marian appears with the reference book, but before she can hand it to the mayor, Gracie excitedly announces the arrival of the Wells Fargo Wagon with the new band instruments ("The Wells Fargo Wagon"). With the exception of the Mayor, the town is now under Harold's spell. Marian's research pays off, but she withholds the evidence when she discovers Harold is helping her brother, Winthrop, to cure his speech impediment. Marcellus, Harold's old friend and former partner, leads the crowd in a new dance ("Shipoopi"). Winthrop returns home from fishing and sings for his mother and sister the song that Harold has just taught him ("Gary, Indiana").

Future band members have been busily working on Harold's "Think System" of musicianship while Harold meets Marian at the footbridge. She confesses that she has known he was a fake since the third day he was in town. Now it's Harold who is off-balance. The uniforms arrive, but so does Charlie Cowell, Harold's arch enemy. Marian tries to prevent Charlie from getting to the Mayor, but is unsuccessful. She wants to warn Harold, but Charlie reaches him first. He still has time to run, but he can't — he's hooked on Marian.

The angry town gathers, hearing that Harold is a fake. Marian speaks out in his defense while the band arrives in uniform. Harold is handed a baton. "Think, men, think," is his command. At the drop of his arm comes the Minuet in G as it has never been "played" before. But each struggling note is music to the parents' ears. Harold has his band at last, and a truly loving librarian by his side.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE LINK:

https://hitstheatre.configio.com/pd/1348?code=ogaQ1yHxnx

PAYMENT PLAN LINK:

https://hitstheatre.configio.com/pd/1284?code=Q3aWH4N15I