'Banjo Boys' Gets Production at Sondheim Center 8/8

Banjo Boy (formerly "Banjo Boys") goes to full production this summer in Fairfield, Iowa, at the Stephen Sondheim Performing Arts Center. August 8th through 17th!  It's a brand-new 552-seat theater. If you're within 100 miles of Fairfield, please come catch it. Or if you know anyone nearby, please tell them. Call the box office from noon to 6 PM weekdays (Central Time) at 641-472-2787 or buy tickets at www.iowatix.com.

Banjo Boy is a bio-musical with a twist--from heaven an elderly Meredith Willson goes back to 1928 to try to steer his younger self away from mistakes he originally made, and works to rescue his non-existent relationship with his father. His adventures upon running away from home include meeting a young Louis Armstrong, tracking down an elderly John Philip Sousa in San Francisco,  falling in love with Zi Ling, a Chinese mui tsai (indentured servant), forming a group--The Banjo Boys--and returning home to Mason City, Iowa to help win the Iowa High School Band contest with his own song and win the love of his father. Banjo Boys is a glorious celebration of American Music, of American diversity, and of the life of Meredith Willson. Many of the songs are here on the website to listen to. The songs have wit, rhythm, poignancy, and actual melodies!