“…so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”- Romans 12:5
The Music Man is a bright and happy musical written by Meredith Wilson. The show centers around Professor Harold Hill. He claims to sell music instruments and establish marching bands. The show begins as Professor Hill arrives in River City, Iowa, a town full of stubborn and self-sufficient people who are not welcoming to strangers, especially traveling salesmen. Professor Hill is neither a music teacher nor a salesman. He is a con man. The people of River City have good reason to not trust him, but love helps to overcome all the obstacles in this wonderful musical. Eventually, Professor Hill falls in love with Marian Paroo, the local librarian and piano teacher. It is a wonderful show with a happy ending.
The show first opened on Broadway in 1957. It featured Robert Preston as Professor Harold Hill and Barbara Cook as Marian Paroo. The show has been performed in theatres around the world. It has won multiple Tony awards and has even been made into a movie, twice. Just this past year, The Music Man was revived on Broadway. This time Professor Harold Hill is played by Hugh Jackman and Marian Paroo is played by Sutton Foster.
Both Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman have had major success in movies, TV, and on Broadway. They are award-winning stars on both stage and screen. They have achieved the highest success in their field. When they were cast and began work to prepare the show, they immediately found a connection and friendship. Being a star can be lonely, even when surrounded by so many people.
When the show moved to Broadway and prepared to open at the Winter Garden Theater, Jackman and Foster were given their own private dressing rooms. In a recent interview, Foster said that they didn’t realize how the separation would affect them. To help stay connected, she and Hugh meet 30 minutes before each show and have “Carpet Time.” They sit on the floor and share their day with each other. They take time to discuss their families, their hopes, and their fears. Foster told CBS News that this is one of the most important parts of her day.
When I first heard about this wonderful practice, shared by these two friends, I was reminded that we need each other. It is easy to become isolated. We get lost in the business of each day. We find ourselves separated from family, friends, and neighbors. We often forget that we need one another. God created us as social people. God created us as family. Like Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, we must be intentional about connecting with one another. As a family of faith, we look to our small groups, like Sunday school, Bible studies, and mission groups to relate. These groups allow us to connect, care for one another, pray for one another and be God’s family, together. Being connected is an intentional act. How will you stay connected?
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
