with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson
, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey
. The plot concerns con man
Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with the cash. In River City, Iowa
, prim librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo sees through him, but when Hill helps her younger brother overcome his fear of social interactions due to his lisp, Marian begins to fall in love with Harold.
"You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you're left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays. I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering."
"A man can't turn tail and run just because a little personal risk is involved. What did Shakespeare say? 'Cowards die a thousand deaths, the brave man... only 500'? "
"It means, that America has finally produced a genius who can play the minute waltz in 50 seconds!"
"Never allow the demands of tomorrow to interfere with the pleasure and excitement of today."
"It's Capulets like you that make blood in the market place, Ye Gods!"
"You watch your phrasology!"
"I can't believe I almost missed this oppourtunity! Wait a minute... I haven't got any son!"
"But what the heck? You're welcome! Join us at the picnic, you can have your fill of all the food you bring yourself."
"All I want is a plain man All I want is a modest man A quiet man, a gentle man A straightforward and honest man to sit with me In a cottage Somewhere in the state of Iowa And I would like him to be More interested in me Than he is in himself And more interested in us Than in me."