review

The first question many theater fans might ask is, why would OSF do The Music Man? Why take on a production that's ubiquitous to every high school in the country with a musical/theater program? (I think Shasta High has done it at least four times.)

The answer: Who cares?

Directed by Bill Rauch (in his second year as OSF's artistic director), it's a tour de force--a brilliant, entertaining romp. Actually, considering the national angst brought on by the current recession, doing The Music Man seems like the perfect call.

At what better moment can we fall back on the diversion of pure entertainment than in hard times? The Iowans hand over their money to Professor Harold Hill for the hope of music. In art, we see something different than commerce. The joy and wonder of human expression can guide us through tough times.

Read the complete review.