FARMINGTON – Magic and music will come to life on stage at the University of Maine at Farmington’s Alumni Theater when the Sandy River Players Youth Musical Theatre Camp presents “Music Man Junior,” set in 1912.
Audiences will be sold on the idea of a swindling, traveling salesman who learns the error of his ways when he falls in love in a small town in Iowa. Despite the stubbornness of the townspeople, they learn the value of acceptance, and Harold Hill teaches them the importance of second chances and pulling together as a community.
Catchy musical numbers and witty banter keep the play moving at a fun, quick pace. The play features timeless music and lyrics by Meredith Willson and a script written by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey.
In “Music Man Junior,” Hill solves the “trouble in River City” by getting the townspeople to sign their children up for a band. Of course, Hill is the one selling the instruments and the uniforms. He ‘teaches’ the children to play the instruments with his ‘think system,’ which involves simply thinking about the music. By sheer enthusiasm, the children manage to play in a band by the finale.
Thirty youngsters make up the cast of “Music Man Junior.” The performances mark the end of a three-week camp experience. During that time, the children learned about musical and technical theater, choreography and character development techniques. The result is a production for which the children are almost entirely responsible.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12. Tickets are $6 for students and seniors, $8 for adults. Tickets are available at Mickey’s Hallmark in Farmington. Reservations may also be made by calling 779-7084.

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