ELLSWORTH – Nostalgia is about to hit the stage with Ellsworth Middle School’s debut of “The Music Man, Jr.” this weekend. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. Feb. 5-7 and 2 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Ellsworth High School Auditorium (323 W. Hillcrest St.)

Musical Director Isabella Devereaux-Hanson said she chose “The Music Man Jr.” to expose kids to a classic Broadway production. This year’s selection is based on the 1957 six-time Tony-Award-winning musical written by Meredith Wilson.

“We really want the kids that come through our drama program to be able to experience a little bit of everything, and that includes a classic old show like this one,” Devereaux-Hanson said. “The kids weren’t really sure at first, but once they got into the read of the script, they were very excited.”

According to Devereaux-Hanson, “The Music Man” is a classic musical comedy set in the small town of River City, Iowa, in 1912. The story follows Harold Hill, a fast-talking traveling salesman who poses as a music professor. He convinces townspeople to buy instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band—even though he doesn’t actually know how to teach music. His plan is to skip town once he collects the money.

Things become more complicated when Harold meets Marian Paroo, the town librarian and piano teacher. Marian is skeptical of Harold’s schemes, but as she gets to know him, she begins to see a kinder side beneath his con-man exterior. Meanwhile, Harold unexpectedly grows attached to the town and its people, especially Marian and her younger brother, Winthrop.

As River City grows excited about the band and music brings the community together, Harold must decide whether to run away as planned or stay and face the truth. In the end, “The Music Man” is a heartwarming story about honesty, community, and the surprising power of music to change people’s lives.

Will Harold avoid trouble of his own? Will the boy’s band succeed? Do Harold and Marian end up making music of their own together? Find the answers to these questions while enjoying such memorable songs as “Ya Got Trouble,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Marian the Librarian,” “Pick-a-Little,” and “Til There Was You.”

Devereaux-Hanson said because the show is considered a classic and takes place in 1912, some of the costuming and choreography is “absolutely iconic.”

“There is a lot of partner dancing, which took some time for the middle schoolers to adapt to, and the costuming is a new challenge as many of the cast is dancing in character heels!” she said.

As with any production, the most challenging piece is figuring out scheduling for practices.

“We have many kids also playing another sport at the same time as the show, which is awesome, but also poses a challenge of practicing together,” Devereaux-Hanson said. “The most rewarding part is for sure when we have everyone all together and seeing the final product on stage. I also love seeing kids make friends with kids outside their grade or normal friend groups outside of school.”

The EHS auditorium has been ringing with laughter during practices, whether from hilarious one-liners or kids clowning around with blankets on their heads, costume parades, or a wayward shoe flung into the audience.

“Don’t be afraid to laugh at all of the quirky jokes,” Devereaux-Hanson said.

The kids and directors have poured their hearts into the production, rehearsing since October, not to mention the behind-the-scenes work of set building, costuming, promoting, etc.

Devereaux-Hanson hopes the kids get a new appreciation of older shows that shaped the music that we have today.

“A lot of kids now don’t know a lot of the classics and only know names of shows if they are Disney (which are also great) but getting kids exposed to all of the awesome different shows out there to create a new love of theater would just be so awesome,” she said. “We are also hoping to have a lot of the kids bit by the theater bug and continue performing through high school!”

As for the audience, she hopes they will appreciate the hard work the kids have put into the show, see the fun they’ve had through their performances and immerse themselves in 1912 River City, Iowa.

Tickets are for sale on GoFan at https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/article/2630182 Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students, and children 5 and under are free. Tickets will also be sold at the door, cash or check only.

Cast and crew (separate box)

Harold Hill – Kadyn Helgeson

Harold understudy – Ascher Johnson-Hall

Marian Paroo – Grace Turvaville

Marian understudy – Alora Christian

Charlie Cowell – Victor Schiller

Charlie understudy – Cruz Omtvedt

Mayor Shinn – Brennor Levers

Mayor understudy – Zack Frosch

Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn – Anna Kelly

Eulalie understudy – Alexis Bien

Marcellus Washburn – Ascher Johnson-Hall

Marcellus understudy – Luca Weis

Mrs. Paroo – Megan Peterson

Mrs. Paroo understudy – Kayleigh Aufderhar

Winthrop Paroo – Dylan Pechacek

Winthrop understudy – Levi Tomlinson

Amaryllis – McKayla Poellinger

Amaryllis understudy – Alice Barrett

Zaneeta Shinn – Reese Franklin

Zaneeta understudy – Bella Ganser

Gracie Shinn – Kaitlin Girdeen

Gracie understudy – Linnea Sears

Alma Hix – Addy Knutson

Alma understudy – Alexis Bien

Maud Dunlop – Alora Christian

Maud understudy – Peyton Frion

Mrs. Squires – Izzy Blue

Mrs. Squires understudy – Belle Kuske

Ethel Toffelmeier – June Feuerhelm

Ethel understudy – Mya Ruka

Ewart Dunlop – Chase Wilcox

Ewart understudy – Samantha Augustine

Oliver Hix – Cruz Omtevdt

Oliver understudy – Carolina Young

Jacey Squires – Radley Gilbertson-Cross

Jacey understudy – Jill Halvorson

Olin Britt – Benton Johnson

Olin understudy – Isabelle Swanson

Tommy Djilas – Luca Weis

Tommy understudy – Chase Wilcox

Conductor – Emmet Schrimpf

Constable Locke – Isabelle Swanson

Salesmen – Mya Ruka, Levi Tomlinson, Peyton Frion, Alexis Bien, Zach Frosch

Farmer - Carolina Young

Farmer's wife -  Bella Kuske

Ensemble – Kayleigh Aufderhar, Samantha Augustine, Alice Barrett, Macy Brown, Annaka Edgar, Bella Ganser, Jill Halvorson, Bentley Knutson, Ella Murphy, Mia Murphy, Elly Nelson, Anna Puhrmann, Josseline Raphael, Linnea Sears, Julia Schmidt, Natalya Walker

Student Stage Managers: Blake Girdeen & Zak Zierl 

Crew: Rosalie Anderson, Weston Butts, Blake Girdeen, Otto Jakes, Lizzie Larson, Mac LeClaire, Audrie Longo, GG Omtvedt, Aven Penman, Maryanne Petersen, Martha Seeger, Leah Sternisha, Lyla Soley, Hailee Thoner, Kyla Wilk, Zakary Zierl

Director/Choreographer/Costume Designer – Isabella Devereaux-Hanson

Stage Director/Set Designer – Weston Morley

Tech Manager  - Karen Kornmann

Costume Designer/Seamstress  - Shari Turvaville