Wilson, who composed this long-lasting musical, set the scene in his own beloved Iowa at the turn of the last century. It is hard to see anyone but Robert Preston as Harold Hill, but Norman Moses makes his 50th appearance at Skylight Opera Theatre very memorable in his dream role. He can sing, he can dance and he can make a schemer quite irresistible as the townspeople in River City and especially its librarian soon discover.

Under Hill's spell, all woven to profit himself, he convinces the town to start a boys' band in order to keep the young people out of trouble. He sells them instruments and uniforms and the theory that they can learn to play music by imagining it.

He also encourages the formation of a barbershop quartet and a dancing group to enliven the town. His salesman skills are all working for him. He even wins over Marian, the librarian, who initially sees through his deceptions and resists his advances, but to his and her surprise, they fall in love despite their original intentions.

From start to finish - from the train ride in the opening scene to the dissonant parade at the end, we are beguiled. We are entertained with beautiful love ballads and the tight harmonies of the barbershop quartet, charmed by the lovely, spirited choreographed dances, and amused by the bumbling antics of the blustery mayor and his eccentric wife Eulalie and her peers.

The outstanding ensemble numbers are many, but "The Wells Fargo Wagon" and "Shipoopi" stand out for their vigor. The scene in the library is an amazing masterpiece of choreography.

Harold Hill's "Ya Got Trouble" is a classic, and the Quartet's "Lida Rose" will always be one of my favorites, especially when it is combined with Marian's "It's You."

There is another delightful union of two songs when Harold and Marian combine "Goodnight My Someone" and "Seventy-Six Trombones," two of the show's signature tunes. And then there's "Till There Was You," one of the loveliest love songs ever written.

When you unite a clever script, fleshed-out characters, good lyrics and melodies and 37 gifted actor-musicians, one is in for a treat.

That was the case in this perfectly executed production.

Thanks to Moses (Hill), Niffer Clarke (Marian), Joel Kopischke (Marcellus), Mark Bucher (Mayor Shinn), Debra Babich (Eulalie), Rhonda Rae Busch (Marion's mother) and Cole A.Winston (Winthrop) for their impressive work in the leading roles. Thanks, too, to all the others, too numerous to mention by name.

Behind the scenes, harmonizing all the elements into this lovely creation are Peter Dean Beck (set and lighting design), Gregory W. Slawko (costume design), Gary Ellis (sound design), Pam Kriger (choreographer), Richard Carsey (music director) and Bill Theisen (master director).