By ROD KING

For the Northwest News

That lovable musical con man Harold Hill will be at the top of his game at Bishop Dwenger High School for three performances, peddling musical instruments and band uniforms in the ever-popular musical “The Music Man.”

The show will be performed Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 29, at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating, $5 for students (April 28 show only) and $7 for general seating.

Playing the part of the unflappable con man is junior Eric Dumford. The female lead, Marian the librarian, is junior Lillian Pflueger, who in the end falls for him and helps him make good on his promise to start a band in River City, Iowa.

Drama Director Sue Nelson makes sure scenes flow smoothly, actors move about the stage with purpose, the songs and action are performed with emotion and lines are delivered clearly.

“We started rehearsals in January and the show is coming together nicely,” Nelson said. “However, we were not able to get on stage until Monday, April 17, because it is in the gym and basketball was in full swing and the noise of bouncing balls was overpowering.

“We have a talented cast that is eager to learn and excited to perform. Our leads, Eric as Harold Hill and Lillian as Marian, are very capable and the supporting actors/actresses give the show a lot of life. Eric, in particular, has a lot of experience in performances here and at Fort Wayne Summer Music Theater.

“I chose to produce ‘The Music Man’ for several reasons. First of all it’s fun and lighthearted and everyone is familiar with the music. The other is that it has a broad age range which gives us an opportunity to include students from Bishop Dwenger’s feeder schools playing the children who will be in the proposed band promised by Harold Hill. Several of them are in major supporting roles. Amaryllis is played by Ellie Proulx (St. Vincent), Raphael Barton is Winthrop and Gracie Shinn is Chelsie Schriner (St. Jude) and Jules Roy (St. Elizabeth) plays several supporting characters.

“We also have some parents of cast members and a barbershop quartet called the Chain Gang that I worked with when I directed this show at Leo High School a number of years ago.”

Nelson is happy to be back directing shows. “I really love working with choirs and musicals. I was in the middle of staging ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at East Side High School where I was drama director from 2008 to 2020 when the pandemic hit. It was canceled and the drama department was eliminated,” she said. “It’s good to be back.”