Robert Meredith Willson (Meredith Willson) wrote the Broadway musical The Music Man (his most famous work) which premiered on Broadway in 1957. It was adapted twice for films in 1962 and 2003. He also wrote three other Broadway musicals, composed symphonies and wrote some popular songs (some individual songs of his include: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas", "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You", and "I See The Moon"). His film scores were nominated twice for the Academy Awards.
Willson was borne on May 18, 1902 and died on June 15, 1984. He lived in the Northeastern part of Iowa.
From about 1948 to the end of his life he was an active member, and a deacon, of the Westwood Hills Congregational Church in Los Angeles. He donated a stained glass window, known as "The Music Man Window" to the church. It was placed above the pew where he would normally sit. The stain glass window represented various musical instruments.
He also composed hymns for the church, including: "Anthem of the Atomic Age" in 1953. He and the pastor, who was also from Northeastern Iowa, were very close friends.
Willson died of heart failure in 1984 at the age of 82. He is buried at the Elmwood Saint Joseph Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa.
What is The Music Man?
The Music Man is a story about love and lies. And of course in the end everybody realizes what matters most to them and they all end up happy :)
Harold Hill (The Music Man) is a fake traveling-salesman who pretends to sell boys band instruments and uniforms, and he even pretends to teach the band! He travels to River City Iowa and makes a ton of money by tricking the townspeople into buying his products. Near the end he realizes he is in love with the piano teacher who is also the Librarian (Marian Paroo) who lives in River City. Because he loves her, Harold refuses to run away from the angry townspeople who have figured out his tricks and are coming after him.
The people catch him and take him to court, and just in-case you have not seen the show I will not ruin the ending for you :)
Random Facts!
Meredith Willson referred to The Music Man as "an Iowan's attempt to pay tribute to his home state".
It took Willson eight years and thirty revisions to finish the musical. And he wrote more than forty songs for that musical.
Willson would drive a Rolls Royce to church every week :)
Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
My Experience:
I loved being in The Music Man! I was just in the chorus but it was the most fun I have ever had being in the chorus! The dances were fast and fun and the music is amazing! I loved the age range in the musical because it gives the show more depth and comedy and because I was able to be on stage with my whole family!
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