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Crewe Amateur Musicals Society is a Registered Charity (No. 517235)

Music Man - The Story
It's early in the Twentieth Century, and there's trouble, my friends, in River City. Iowa. `Professor Harold Hill,' as he calls himself this time around, is in the business of selling band instruments and uniforms, all with the guarantee that he will teach the youngsters of the parents who fork over the cash for his wares how to play. There's only one problem, and it's the fact that -- as one of his fellow competitors puts it-- `He don't know one note from another!' Alas, can it be the con is on?

When he jumps train in River City to escape the wrath of an angry gathering of his peers, whom he has `Given a black eye' to in the territory, thanks to his dubious business practices, he sets about plying his trade on the good folks of middle America. But right out of the chute, he runs into some problems: The Mayor of River City, George Shinn wants his credentials, the lovely young local piano teacher and librarian, Marion, has her doubts about him, and he lacks an `angle,' something to convince the local citizenry of the need for a `boys band' to get them out of the trouble they're in-- even if there isn't any until he `creates' it.

One of his problems is solved when he runs into Marcellus Washburn, a former shill of his, who mentions the new billiard table that just arrived in town. And that's all the Professor needs; because now they've got trouble, `With a capital ‘T' that rhymes with ‘P' and that stands for ‘Pool'!' With that, he's up and running and he's got everything timed, right down to the `Last wave of the conductor's hand on the last train out of town.' Yee-gods and great honk! River City, Iowa, is about to have their very own boy's band

Director & Choreographer: Eric Pover
Musical Director: David Greatbanks

Review taken from Noda North West News

Having previously enjoyed the film of this show I was particularly looking forward to seeing the stage version and was not disappointed in the production at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre.
Led by Jim Davidson in fine form as the con-man Professor Harold Hill and Linda Race in fine voice as the librarian and piano teacher Marion Paroo the show moved at a cracking pace with good all-round performances from the principals, chorus, dancers and student band.
Making a welcome return to the musical stage Ray Cowdall was well suited to the role of Mayor Shinn, as was Margaret Taylor bringing her considerable stage experience to the role of his wife Eualie Mackecknie Shinn (whoever thought up that name!) appearing with her friends acting out some comical scenarios in outlandish costumes.
Making his debut in a principal role Mark Pountain excelled as Marcellus Washburn.
The suspicious Mayor instructed the four-man board of school governors to delve into the Professor's credentials but they were conned by the Professor into forming a barber shop quartet.

Thereafter Eric Denyer, Darren Thornhill, Danny Williams and Bill Kynaston drifted in and out of various scenes with well sung melodies.
Susan Dodd (whose real-life family of Caroline, Ellen and Joseph were also in the production) brought Irish witticism to the role of Mrs Paroo, mother of Marion and young Winthrop played outstandingly by Simon Thunder.
Also outstanding was junior member Susannah Davies who gave a charming performance as Amaryllis and there were pleasing performances from Charlotte Platt as the Mayor's daughter Zaneeta defying her father's wishes in her romance with Tommy Djilas played by Josh Fischer.
Paul Nevitt was convincing as Charlie Cowell whose attempt to denounce the fake Professor was countered by Marion's defence and the arrival of the student band in their resplendent uniforms so ensuring a happy ending.
The production was enhanced by scenery by Proscenium, costumes by Triple C, wigs by Bromiley and properties by Howorth Wrightson and was backed by a good band.
Yet again, a brave attempt by a Society to perform something out of the ordinary proved to be unpopular at the box office which is a great pity.
Hopefully the opening night audience would spread the word and ticket sales would increase during the week as this fine production was deserving of much better support