“They’re [the audience] going to look forward to the love scenes and the sassiness of the characters,” said sophomore Karsyn Buttler, who plays Mrs. Paroo, the mother of Marian Paroo. On March 3, The Music Man makes its way to North Platte High School’s performing arts center. The musical, directed by NPHS music teacher Leah Purdy, follows con artist Harold Hill, played by senior George Gipe, as he pretends to be a band professor, despite not knowing anything about music. In the meantime, he tries to pursue the piano teacher and librarian, Marian Paroo, played by senior Emma Wilkinson.

Making a musical with over 100 actors and actresses comes with many challenges, and the leads are no exception to this. “My biggest challenge was probably finding space for all the kids on stage because we have such a large cast,” Purdy said. Gipe’s biggest challenge was remembering his notes after the footbridge scene, close to the end of the musical.“[My biggest challenge is] trying to act like someone who is really strict when I am not like that at all,” Wilkinson said.

Rehearsal for The Music Man began Jan. 9. Between now and then, many memories have been made. “The first night George ever had to kiss me, Purdy told George, ‘You need to stop pouncing on her!’,” Wilkinson said. “[My favorite memory was] probably learning all of the choreography. We have huge dance numbers so that is always going to stick in my mind,” Purdy said. “My favorite memory was getting Ya got Trouble down, it is extremely hard but it is extremely funny,” Gipe said.

Gipe, Purdy, and Wilkinson are each excited for their own personal reasons. “[I’m most excited to] watch the kids feed off the energy of the audience,” Purdy said. “I’m most excited to perform this show for the community because this is a classic,” Wilkinson said. She explained that last year, a lot of people came because they knew the show, but it’s much more exciting when nobody really knows what they’re going to expect. “I’m very excited about opening night, I just know we’re gonna be phenomenal,” Gipe said.

The Music Man will be performed March 3-5, with the first performance beginning 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday. According to Purdy, the audience should expect great singing, dancing, and comedy. “[The audience should look forward to] The comedy, the love, the drama, the anticipation, all of it, it’s all very fun,” Gipe said.

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