Such is the setting of Meredith Willson’s classic romantic musical, a big slice of Americana featuring such hits as 76 Trombones, Trouble, Till There Was You, The Wells Fargo Wagon, and Gary, Indiana (where Professor Hill supposedly earned his music degree from). As usual, Christian Community Theater has put together an extravagant production with vibrant sets and costumes and some exceptional voices – the most remarkable of those being Sandy Campbell as Marian the Librarian who brings the ballads My White Knight and Till There Was You to new levels of beauty and richness, while at the same time filling her character great tenderness, intelligence, and emotion.

Then, of course, there’s the Music Man himself, CCT favorite Dan Walsh, leading the band. His voice sounds a bit nice and gentle to be that of a scheming, slippery salesman, but he’s extraordinarily effective when relating to the kids like Marian’s young, shy brother Winthorp (David Cabinian) whom he teaches to sing an enthusiastic Gary, Indiana. Dan also leads a spectacular 76 Trombones in which he gets the entire town to imagine a boys band marching through their streets, the cast turning in an exceptionally energetic scene to Susan DeLeon and Aaron Pomeroy’s choreography. Other standouts include a charming Mrs. Paroo (Kathy Schmidt) and amusing turns by Harold’s long-lost friend Marcellus (James Wigdahl) and his player piano playing girlfriend Ethel Toffelmier (Lia Metz). Talented teenagers Brooke McKinney and Justin Caster lead a magnificent group of dancers from young to old (yes, even the old geezers get into the swing of things in CCT's rendition) in the big dance numbers.