Millersville will transform into a version of River City when Penn Manor High School hosts its spring production, "The Music Man."

The shows will be held Thursday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m.; Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, March 14, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, 100 E. Cottage Ave., Millersville.

To reserve tickets, go to https://tinyurl.com/5a8mnnuf. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.

Comet Classic cardholders and Penn Manor School District staff members can attend the March 12 performance for free with a valid Comet Classic card or Penn Manor School badge. Cardholders or staff members can select their seats for the March 12 showing at the ticket booth.

"The Music Man" is the story of grifter Harold Hill, who scams the people of River City, Iowa, into buying materials for a boys' band that he claims he will organize. Before he can flee town, he develops a relationship with a librarian.

" 'The Music Man' is an infectiously charming show," said Aiden Whitfield, who will portray Hill. "If you want to feel good walking away from a performance, this is the right one to watch. It is a longstanding classic for a reason, perfect for any age and any time."

Director Lauren Ciemiewicz said the show is an ideal fit for cast and crew. "We try to provide opportunities for our students to experience shows from a variety of time periods over the course of their four years in high school," she said. "Last year, we produced a more modern show that was less well-known to the general audience. This year, the goal was to produce a classic. This particular show allows for a broader range of district involvement, including students from multiple elementary schools and both middle schools. It has been a lot of fun seeing our younger students shine and grow into their own on the stage throughout the rehearsal process."

"The Music Man" does present hurdles for the students. "This is a big show," said Ciemiewicz. "The cast is large, the pit music is challenging, and there are a lot of moving set pieces needed to depict the various locations throughout the show." She noted that the cast must be able to execute scene transitions efficiently, along with remembering their blocking, lines, and choreography.

"Additionally, there is a lot of fast talking in the show," she continued. "Harold Hill, of course, is one of the characters tasked with this challenge, but the traveling salesmen on the train in the opening scene also speak in a rhythmic cadence that is fast and requires great articulation. It has been challenging but fun to work through these specific parts."

The students are also enjoying the process. "Mayor Shinn has been a pleasure to act," David Fogel said. "Instead of me having to find a voice and accent for the character, the script for 'The Music Man' has most of his lines written phonetically, which allowed me to find his voice. I've also found that Mayor Shinn is a very cartoony character; he's a mix of Reverend Shaw Moore (from 'Footloose') and Abraham Lincoln." He noted he enjoys finding a stage presence for characters like this due to their over-the-top actions. "This is fun as a theater kid because everything I do is already over the top. I really enjoy getting to be the character," he said.

Lily Fox will play the role of Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn. "I love my character because she is so different from anyone I've played before," Lily said. "Eulalie is so hilarious to bring to life because she does all these ridiculous things, but she takes herself completely seriously." She noted that her favorite part of the rehearsal process has been watching her castmates react to her character, and she looks forward to the laughter and joy her character can bring to the audience.

"We have all been able to bond and relate to our characters so well that 'The Music Man' is part of us, and we hope that audiences will make our show a part of their lives as well," Lily said.

The director believes that the production will captivate visitors. "This show is a classic, and our students have been working hard onstage and behind the scenes to bring the town of River City to life," Ciemiewicz said. "There is something for everyone in this show, and it is one that people of all ages will enjoy."