Although Meredith Willson’s The Music Man made its debut in 1957, this all-American musical is a timeless classic that still resonates with audiences today. And Toby’s Dinner Theatre’s production is without a doubt a top-notch version of it.
Toby’s Dinner Theatre, located in Columbia, has been drawing audiences as well as some of the best actors from throughout the region for over 45 years. If you are not familiar with dinner theater, you get a full buffet meal as well as an entertaining show for one price. Their food is pretty good too, which includes a salad bar, full hot buffet line, carving station, complimentary basic drinks (although a full cash bar is available), and choice of desserts.
The Music Man runs through May 18th and centers around Harold Hill, a con artist who tries to sell band instruments to the residents of River City, Iowa. “Professor” Hill doesn’t know a thing about music and plans to dart out of town as soon as he collects payment, without providing any music lessons to the youth of the Midwestern town.
Hill is played by Jeffrey Shankle, an actor who can be seen frequently performing in productions at Toby’s. Shankle was born and raised in Frederick County and started in his first theatrical production while attending Frederick High School. In 2023, he won a Helen Hayes Award for playing the part of Nick Bottom in “Something Rotten.” “I had been nominated before, but never won. It was a nice surprise as I wasn’t expecting it,” Shankle said. His leading performance in this show is equally stellar.
In fact, the whole cast does an amazing job. Sometimes, you may have some strong lead actors without a strong supporting cast. But with The Music Man this is not the case. In fact, this is a cast show. The musical numbers beckon a strong performance from everyone and they deliver.
This is evident from the beginning scene, which opens with a group of traveling salesman mimicking a train ride debating the modern day challenges of their profession. The chorus of voices immediately grab your attention and kick off the show with a bang.
With music being in the title of the show, the music better be good. And it is. The show features classic songs that musical theater fans already know and love, with two of the most memorable clearly being Seven-Six Trombones and Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little. The live orchestra that accompanies the singers is fantastic. And for anyone that is a fan of the barbershop quartet genre, and who wouldn’t be, this is a fantastic show to see.
In some productions, costumes aren’t always noticed or at least called out. But in this particular production, the costumes are noticed and help immerse you in the story. The show is directed and choreographed by Mark Minnick, who clearly put together a terrific ensemble for this show.
Shankle is not the only local connection in the show. Melynda Burdette, who by day is the managing director of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre in Frederick, plays the role of Mrs. Squires, one of the gossipy townspeople.
And finally, the town plays a part as well. There is a little bit of poking fun of the small town attitude that one might experience anywhere in the country. The townspeople even sing about this in the song titled “Iowa Stubborn.”
You got trouble, if you don’t see this show. So make sure you see this production of The Music Man. This beloved musical has won multiple Tony Awards and this particular show is definitely worthy of consideration of some Helen Hayes nominations.
Pardon the dust when you pull into their parking lot, as Toby’s Dinner Theater is undergoing a significant renovation. A new performing arts center, which will house a state-of-the-art, theater in-the-round space, a black box theater, and more is currently under construction. To learn more about this show or to purchase tickets, visit TobysDinnerTheatre.com.
By Shuan Butcher
Photos Courtesy of Toby’s Dinner Theatre