the mommy avenger

We’ve watched The Music Man since we were kids. The songs have played in our house for years. We knew the lines. We knew the music. But somehow, until now, we had never seen it live on stage.

That finally changed when the National Tour came to the Pikes Peak Center as part of the Broadway at Pikes Peak Center lineup. And let me just say — seeing this classic performed live is an entirely different experience.

A Story That Still Works

Written by Meredith Willson, The Music Man tells the story of fast-talking salesman Professor Harold Hill, who arrives in River City, Iowa, with a plan to sell band instruments and uniforms to the townspeople. The only problem? He doesn’t actually know how to teach music.

He convinces the community that forming a boys’ band will keep their children out of trouble. His plan is to collect the money and skip town. But things don’t go quite the way he expects. He meets Marian Paroo — the town librarian, piano teacher, and skeptic — and slowly, both the town and Harold himself begin to change.

It’s funny. It’s sweet. It’s packed with familiar songs like “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Trouble,” and “‘Til There Was You.” And at its heart, it’s about second chances, community, and believing in something bigger than yourself.

The Performances Were Incredible

The actor portraying Professor Harold Hill was magnetic. From the first moment he stepped on stage, he owned it. His timing during “Trouble” was sharp and quick, and his charm felt effortless. He made Harold feel layered — not just a con man, but a man slowly realizing he might want something more than the next train out of town.

And Marian the Librarian? Absolutely stunning. Her voice was clear, strong, and emotional in all the right places. “‘Til There Was You” was one of those quiet theater moments where you could feel the entire audience leaning in. She brought strength and warmth to Marian without losing the character’s independence.

Their chemistry made the story believable. You weren’t just watching a classic musical. You were watching two people fall in love in real time.

Costumes, Sets, and Pure Broadway Magic

The costumes were beautifully done — from crisp band uniforms to period dresses that made you feel like you’d stepped into early 1900s Iowa. Nothing felt overdone. Everything felt intentional.

The sets moved seamlessly from the town square to the library to living rooms and storefronts. They created River City in a way that felt both charming and expansive without distracting from the performances. It’s amazing how live theater can transport you with just lighting, movement, and thoughtful design.

A New Family Favorite

Even though we grew up watching this show, seeing it live gave it new life. We laughed harder. We noticed details we’d never caught before. And walking out of the theater, every single one of us was smiling.

It instantly catapulted to one of our favorite productions we’ve seen together.

There’s something special about sharing a classic like this as a family and realizing it still holds up. It still resonates. And it still leaves you humming the music all the way home.

If you have the chance, you can still catch this incredible production at the Pikes Peak Center on a very limited run through February 26, 2026. If you love Broadway. If you love classic stories. If you just need a night out that leaves everyone happy.

This one is worth it.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}