Diyas Morgan as Harold Hil and the cast of The Music Man JR during rehearsal.

Key West will dance the Shipoopi and revel in the excitement of the Wells Fargo Wagon coming to town when students from seven area schools perform Meredith Willson’s The Music Man JR. The musical tells the story of charismatic con man Harold Hill, played by Diyas Morgan, who galvanizes a stodgy, entertainment-starved Iowa town at the turn of the 20th century. Intending to fleece River City’s citizens with a false scheme to organize a kids’ band, Hill’s plans hit a sour note when he falls for Marian, the town librarian, played by Sophia Hill and Ashlyn Picco.

The Music Man JR. is based on Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, which won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, Author, Composer and Lyricist.  The musical was turned into a 1962 film starring Robert Preston as Harold Hill and Shirley Jones as Marian Paroo. The Key West production will open exactly one month after the opening of the Broadway revival of The Music Man, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. If you can’t get to New York, see it here!

The show opens on the Rock Island train to Iowa, with salespeople and newspaper readers talking about business. Iconic songs from the show include “Ya Got Trouble…with a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool!” Marian and the young Amaryllis muse about love in “Goodnight, My Someone.” Harold promises the town a big dream as he describes how “Seventy-six Trombones led the big parade.” Winthrop lisps his way through “Gary, Indiana.” And the Beatles used the song “Till There Was You” from this show to feature Paul McCartney’s vocals. The Pick-a-Little Ladies have their noses in everyone’s business, and the School Board Quartet sing their way around town.

Meredith Willson’s The Music Man JR. is a beautiful story about how music can transform a person and a community. In a similar manner these students have worked together to present their unique interpretation of this show. Director, Karen Hillgrove, has worked hard to give each of the 31 students in the play a chance to shine. Music Director, Nancy 3. Hoffman, has coached and nurtured their singing talents, along with special vocal consultant, Lieutenant Joe Tripp from the Key West Police Department, who is an avid barbershop quartet singer. Penny Leto has been teaching the lively choreography, assisted by Heidi McConnell. Costumes have been planned and prepared by Ms. Hillgrove and Anne Bared-Hill. Mia Cawvey has been helping in all aspects of the production as Student Director.

Shows will be on Thursday, March 10 at 7:30, Friday, March 11 at 7:30, Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 13 at 2:00. Parade over to the Key West High School Auditorium at 2100 Flagler, for Tickets, or get them online at www.bvmpkw.org.  Prices are $3-$10, with families from $10 – $15 (student discounts apply).  For more information please call (305) 504-7664, or email [email protected]. Keys Kids Junior is sponsored by Bahama Village Music

Program, a local non-profit dedicated to bringing music education to the lives of children in our community who would otherwise miss out on the benefits of music education.

Meredith Willson’s The Music Man JR. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com.