Starstruck Theatre’s production of the popular musical “The Music Man” will render you speechless with delight! Enter River City, Iowa, a town of gossiping ladies, quarrelling school board members, and a few unlikely romances. Although the citizens of this charming, naïve little town can “never see eye to eye,” they are all fiercely proud of their ideals and the reputation of their city. 

Cunning traveling salesman Harold Hill arrives in town, just as controversy about River City’s newest addition, a pool table, develops. Hill, an infamous conman, proposes a seemingly perfect solution to the problem: a boy’s band, sure to prevent the city’s youth from getting into anything remotely scandalous. As the plot develops, Harold begins to find himself falling in love with the reserved town librarian, Marian Paroo,  an inevitable force of nature which threatens to inhibit his abilities to pull off perhaps his greatest swindle yet.

 With an extremely talented orchestra and many rousing, joyous songs, the enthusiasm during the performances in “The Music Man” was quite catchy. From the larger numbers such as “Marian Librarian” to the solo performances, including “My White Night” and “Till There Was You” the songs in the play were stunning and well incorporated into the plot itself. The choreography was also well done, and the stage was always a bright, fantastic array of colors and dancing citizens.

 The actors in the play did a fantastic job, interacting with the audience on several occasions and charming them with their loyalty and wit. The supporting actors were quite a show themselves, with MSJ’s own Seniors Connor Stokes and Anastassia Tselikova providing hilarity and laughter whenever they appeared in a scene as River City’s fiercely dedicated mayor and his flamboyant wife. Senior Scott Kavanagh also provided some excellent comedic support as a member of a constantly arguing school board, which  is later transformed into an extremely talented, melodic barbershop quartet.

 A story of love and its power to overcome obstacles and reform all that it effects, “The Music Man” was a simply delightful play and will be enjoyed by all who attend it. The energy and enthusiasm exhibited by every member of the cast was impressive and they all gave an incredible performance.

Located conveniently at the Jackson Theatre at Ohlone College, this play will have you spellbound and humming along with the show tunes for days afterwards. For more information on the play and ticket prices, go to www.starstrucktheatre.org.