The Theatre Group at SBCC Presents The Music Man

Though the group’s name, production locations, and company members have changed over the last several decades, the Santa Barbara City College Theatre Group has been producing community theater longer than any other company in town. This year marks their 70th anniversary, and the season kicks off with the popular standard of American musical theater Meredith Willson’s The Music Man.

The Tony award–winning comedic musical tells the story of congenial grifter Harold (the Professor) Hill, who plans to sell band uniforms and instruments to the people of River City, Iowa, and then skip town with the profit before organizing a youth orchestra and teaching the children to play music (as promised per the sales agreement). His scheme hits a snag, however, when the sweet but perceptive Marian (the Librarian) Paroo suspects his lack of sincerity.

Heavily influenced by events from Willson’s experience as an aspiring musician from a small, Midwestern town, The Music Man emphasizes the positive impact of imagination and passion and the transformative effect of artistic expression. The intimate, small-town community of River City requires a large cast of townspeople (one that spans several generations), and as such, the SBCC production features 35 cast members — all talented area actors and youth performers. Director R. Michael Gros expressed his excitement that the need for such a large cast allowed him to accomplish one of the important tenets of the Theatre Group’s mission: to celebrate and incorporate the artistic community.