By Deirdre Parker Smith

For the Salisbury Post

Piedmont Players’ lively production of “The Music Man” is just the thing for those of us suffering from post-hurricane, pre-election blahs.

Director and choreographer Tod A. Kubo also designed the sets, and instead of stretching himself too thin, he brings the parts together with a clear vision. This is a simple story of a con man who falls in love with one of his marks in a small, Midwestern town. It’s also almost entirely music and a lot of dancing, in the streets, in the gym, on the footbridge, even in the library. 

Alyssa White’s beautiful voice and proper mannerisms make her a lovely Marian the librarian, who doesn’t believe a thing Professor Harold Hill proclaims, at least at first. Hayden Waugh is a handsome and assured Hill who carries out his con to create a band for the kids in town without a hitch. Even when we shouldn’t believe him, we do. Perhaps he needs a touch of evil here and there.

Thierry Agnant is absolutely adorable as Marion’s little brother, Winthrop. Devastated by the death of his father and afflicted with a lisp, at first he says nothing. But when he breaks out of his shell and grabs a cornet and sings “Gray, Indiana,” watch out world — this kid’s going to be a star.

Having Piedmont regulars Debbie Hubbard and Mark Stephenson as mayor and Eulalie Macecknie Shinn is another bright light, with Hubbard’s silly singing and dancing and Stephenson’s bluster at all the right points. Wendy Weant, another familiar actor on the local stage, is Marian’s mother, Mrs. Paroo.

Noemi Robinowitz is the plucky sidekick to Hill, Marcellus. Robinowitz is quite the wise-cracking con artist.

Luke Bardinas is the bad boy that the mayor’s daughter, Zaneeta, falls for. Alexis Sutorius looks uncannily like a Barbie doll; it’s sort of amazing when she speaks. Bardinas does a lot of dancing in his role, always with enthusiasm.

The young people in the show seem to be having a good time and turn in good performances. The ensemble knows all the choreography and songs and works well together, remembering to smile and frown in the right places.

Kubo creates an interesting set, using painted backdrops created by Jennifer O’Kelly (also the lighting designer) for city street scenes, a spinning house for Marian and family, a cozy library, a moonlit bridge and flats suggesting the buildings of town such as the bank and livery.

The one disappointment is that the music is pre-recorded. It sounds good, all the cues are right, but at times it overpowers the voices on stage.

“The Music Man” has a big cast, and the show runs about 2-1/2 hours. It’s totally suitable for children and adults of all ages. The silliest word in the show, shipoopi, could be the newest hashtag.

To see a complete cast list and learn more about them, go to PiedmontPlayers.com/cast.

For tickets, go to https://piedmontplayers.com/#whats-on. Performances are on weekends through Nov. 3.

Deirdre Parker Smith is a freelance writer and editor and former 35-year employee of the Salisbury Post.