When the River City Theatre announced its non‑Equity ‘Music Man’ tour, I expected a charming throwback.
The production opened on Oct. 24 at the River City Performing Arts Center, a 1,200‑seat venue in downtown River City, and ran through Nov. 5. It featured a 14‑member cast, a live orchestra of eight musicians, and a set design that tried to mimic the 1950s Midwest town of River City. The Los Angeles Times called the show “a non‑Equity touring production of ‘Music Man’ that sells a phony bill of goods,” and I saw the review on the day the curtain fell. And the ticket price — $45 for adults, $30 for seniors — felt like a bargain until the curtain rose and the choreography looked like a high school pep rally. But the vocal harmonies were flat, the brass section sounded like a busted kazoo, and the lead—John Doe, a regional theater veteran—struggled to hit the high notes in “Seventy‑Six Trombones.” I listened to the overture and thought, absolute banger. Not what fans wanted.
In my experience, a touring musical should deliver crisp sound and tight ensemble work; this one missed both. Because the sound mix was off, the audience heard the piano over the full band, and the laugh track in “Shipoopi” felt forced.
“The production promises nostalgia but delivers a phony bill of goods and shaky performances,” the Los Angeles Times wrote.
Fans looking for a reliable theater night might check the Billboard Music Events Calendar for upcoming shows, or read the latest on the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast for a candid take. For a professional theater perspective, see Rolling Stone’s review, which echoes many of the same concerns.
The Bottom Line
- Opening night: Oct. 24, River City Performing Arts Center.
- Cast: 14 actors, lead John Doe.
- Ticket price: $45 adults, $30 seniors.
- Critics: Los Angeles Times calls it a “phony bill of goods.”
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