*Meredith Wilson wrote the script AND the songs *It won many Tony Awards and is one of the most performed musicals

Harold Hill- Traveling salesman and "con man-" he sells band instruments, but can't play them! Marian- Sweet librarian and town piano teacher who sees right through Harold Hill Mrs. Paroo- Marian's Irish mother Winthrop- Marian's shy little brother who speaks with a lisp Marcellus- Harold's good friend Town People- Mayor and family, Barbershop quartet, Gossipy ladies

Patter Song: A very fast song with a lot of words All of the men are on the train talking about a man named “Harold Hill.”

Patter Song or Showstopper *One of the most famous songs from the show *Do you think Harold is a good salesman?

*Marian and Amaryllis dream about their future loves *“Someone Like You” by Adele is an example of a ballad Ballad- A song about love, usually slow

Showstopper: A song that blows the audience away There is usually a lot of dancing, and it involves the whole ensemble

A capella- singing with no accompaniment *Four part harmony *They are called barbershop quartets because men waiting to get their haircuts would sing to pass time! What are 2 men singing together called? 3? 5?

Partner Songs: 2 different songs that sound nice when put together The women are gossiping about Marian

Charm Song- one character tries to “charm” another

Finale: “the end” in Italian It’s the talk of the town- the instruments are finally here! Winthrop’s solo about Harold’s hometown

Dance breaks- big ensemble dance numbers that usually happen in Act 2 Famous Dance Numbers: "I don't need anything but you"- Annie "You're the one that I want”- Grease "Footloose”- Footloose "Step in time"- Mary Poppins "You can't stop the beat"- Hairspray

One of the most famous love songs of all time Reprise: Repeated version of a song heard earlier in the musical