The Music Man marches to the Valley stage

By: Brooke W

            This year Mr. Kent Bonte will be directing the musical titled The Music Man by Iowa’s own Meredith Willson.  The musical will be held in the Valley High School gymnasium on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2:30.  The main characters in the story are Harold Hill and Marion Peru, played by Joe Strong and Sara Reierson.  Mr. Bonte says he chose this play because it fit our musical and acting talent very well and because nobody has performed it at Valley for 20 years.  It is a classic, and he was actually in it himself when he was in high school.  It is about a man named Harold Hill, a traveling salesman who tries to con the River City citizens into purchasing instruments and uniforms to start a boy’s band although he has no band conducting experience.  In the process, he falls in love and changes the town forever. 

            Mr. Bonte also says that his biggest challenge overall this year has been recruiting young men to be in the musical.  He says that there are plenty of women and that he always has great people, but he would like to see more guys participating.  He also feels that many people go to watch sporting events, but when it comes to drama there are never as many people attending.  The same kids that are out performing with their athletic teams are now performing on the stage, and deserve the same wonderful support from the community members.