Just as Professor Harold Hill dreamt of leading a grand marching band with 76 trombones, John Ludin and the team at Montana TheatreWorks dreamt of bringing the Bozeman community together this summer for an uplifting, bright, light, funny, and family-friendly theatrical performance of The Music Man for the first time in the TheatreWorks’ 32-year history.

The choice of production also offers a striking contrast to last summer’s bold and emotionally charged staging of Cabaret. Where Cabaret explored darker themes and the tension simmering beneath glamorous nightlife, The Music Man swings fully in the opposite direction — colorful, whimsical, optimistic, and overflowing with small-town charm. It is a production rooted in laughter, heart, and nostalgia, reminding audiences why classic musical theatre continues to resonate across generations.

It can be tricky for a community theatre to assemble such a large cast for a show that includes up to 24 musical numbers, and six to eight amazing dance sequences. The timing was right for The Ellen, and the cast of 43 talented performers will hit the stage beginning July 10, 2026. Rehearsals have transformed the historic theatre into a bustling hub of music, choreography, and costume fittings, capturing the same energetic spirit that drives the fictional town of River City throughout the show. Supporting the production is a live orchestra of 17 local musicians, whose performances will bring Meredith Willson’s iconic score to life each night, adding richness, energy, and authenticity to the production while further highlighting the depth of artistic talent within the Gallatin Valley community.

                                                                                   Illustration by scenic designer Ashley Milleson

Each production from Montana TheatreWorks includes bringing national talent to the stage. This production will bring back director and choreographer Roger Castellano, who choreographed Annie at The Ellen in December 2024. Roger’s job at Disney in California allows him the flexibility to direct and choreograph independently for other theater companies, including The Ellen. His high-energy choreography and ability to balance large ensemble casts with intimate storytelling make him a natural fit for a production like The Music Man, where movement and momentum are essential to the magic of the show.

Casting for major roles in The Music Man had the team looking nationally and calling on old friends, while also finding talent as far away as South Carolina, where Sarah Elizabeth Combs resides. Sarah has a deep resume, which includes her notable performance as Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Las Vegas production of The Phantom of the Opera. In The Music Man, she will perform as Marian the Librarian, bringing warmth and elegance to one of musical theatre’s most beloved leading roles.

A perfect choice for the role of Professor Harold Hill, the delightful entertainer Alan M-L Wager has known John Ludin for decades. Alan’s busy schedule of directing and performing allowed him to be a part of The Music Man this summer, adding another layer of chemistry and familiarity to a production centered around connection and community. Harold Hill is a fast-talking salesman with endless charisma, and the role requires someone capable of balancing humor, heart, and showmanship — qualities audiences can expect in abundance from Wager’s performance.

Familiar local names returning to The Ellen stage include Frank Simpson and Cheryl Sheety, and many new local performers will join them in this energetic story of community living, exemplifying what The Ellen stands for. The Ellen is dedicated to presenting to the Gallatin Valley the very best in the performing arts, with the goal to entertain, educate, and inspire audiences while celebrating the human experience, and providing cultural and social enrichment for all. Productions like The Music Man showcase not only professional-level performance but also the importance of creating opportunities for local talent to share the stage with nationally recognized artists.

In the search for trombones and other musical props for the production, John Ludin put out a call to the Bozeman community asking for any spare instruments — new, old, battered, it didn’t matter, as long as they made noise — to be lent in exchange for a pair of tickets to the opening performance of The Music Man. The response was quick and terrific, and the community showed up in true Music Man fashion to solidify both the community aspect of the show and the spirit of the theatre community itself. As the story goes, travelling salesman Harold Hill — who doesn’t know a treble clef from a cleft chin — scams the local folk into buying musical instruments and fancy uniforms for a boys’ band. But before the fast-talking con artist leaves town, his heart skips a beat when he meets Miss Marian, the librarian. It’s a tuneful tale of hometown harmony, love, and honor, sure to delight every generation. Line up the family, join the parade, and make it a summer to remember with this crown jewel of Americana musical theatre.

That sense of participation may be what makes productions at The Ellen feel uniquely personal. Audiences are not simply watching a polished musical unfold on stage; they are often seeing neighbors, friends, teachers, musicians, and familiar faces woven directly into the performance. In many ways, that spirit mirrors the central message of The Music Man itself: that music, laughter, and shared experiences can bring an entire town together, something The Ellen Theatre does with each of its large productions.

The Music Man will run for 12 performances at The Ellen Theatre from July 10–26, 2026. Don’t be fooled by resale ticket sites—tickets can only be purchased at The Ellen box office, or directly from their website https://www.theellentheatre.com. Enjoy the show!