Meredith Wilson’s all-American classic, The Music Man, enticed both Craig Schieber as director and Mary Duckering as costumer to come back to the forest theater after an absence of several years. This powerful duo worked hand in hand with choreographer Lee Ann Hittenberger, first time music director, Stephen Wall, and set designer Chris Stanley to produce a seamless show that was visually, musically and dramatically polished.

Fast talking salesman, Harold Hill (Mark Wenzel), arrives in River City, Iowa to convince the trusting townspeople that they need a big brass band. Not knowing a trombone from a timpani, Hill plans to skip town with cash in hand, only to be waylaid by the singing school board members, dancing teenagers, town gossips, and of course, Marian the librarian (Kristina Hanlon).

A highlight of this show was appearing on Channel 7’s Evening Magazine. Half the cast was able to skip school and work to perform selected scenes at the theater for John Curley and crew during the week before opening. The camera man was especially grateful that all of his gear could be driven around to the theater. They were both impressed with our show and the beauty of the theater. Our famous pink rhododendron blooms were featured in the final cut. The show aired during our final dress rehearsal – we rehearsed and watched at the same time.

Heeding the call of the Forest Theater, Marion Allred returned after a 9 year absence to reprise her role as Maud Dunlop (her 12^th Mountaineer show). David Jensen returned to the stage to reprise his role as Oliver Hix in the quartet (his 11^th Mountaineer show).

The Music Man was the first of two shows executed at the theater without the use of Kitsap Cabin which was closed for renovation. The Players’ retrofitted the woodshed and tool room for kitchen and eating space; raised tarps and built a fire ring to create as cozy an environment as possible. In an unprecedented community effort to raise money necessary to complete the renovations, 100% of the cast and crew agreed to reprise the The Music Man as a benefit performance on August 25, 2001. Between ticket sales, donations and proceeds from the bit-part auction and the sale of Betty Jensen’s fabulous hats (worn by the Pickalittle Ladies). about $10,000 was raised! 3549 attended the first 8 performances.