“The Music Man” conned his way into the Blackford Theater in April in a spectacular production from the Harker Conservatory. Director Laura Lang-Ree and musical director Catherine Snider guided a record-breaking 52-member cast through this charming Broadway favorite by Meredith Willson.

In another first, the cast included four Gr. 6 students, who more than held their own with their upper school counterparts. Katie O’Bryon created the energetic choreography, Paul Vallerga designed the huge and beautiful set, Brian Larsen oversaw the technical aspects, Caela Fujii supplied the lovely period costumes, Joan Sommerfield supplied the band with its instruments and all the other props, and Natti Pierce-Thomson lit the show beautifully. Excellent stage management was provided by Michael Prutton, Gr. 10, and the live band managed to sound like there were truly 76 trombones in the house.

Congratulations!