Miracle of The Music Man

The Classic American Story of Meredith Willson

By: Mark Cabaniss

Narrated by: Mark Cabaniss

The Music Man stands as one of the greatest achievements in American musical theatre, but few know about its rocky beginnings and the against-all-odds success story of its creator, Meredith Willson.

Mark Cabaniss steps back into the Golden Age of Broadway and brings to life the origins of this classic show, the music behind it, and the unlikely story of its creator. Interweaving behind-the-scenes accounts of people who worked with Willson, Cabaniss looks at his long and unusual career as a composer, conductor, radio personality, and flutist, which reached its pinnacle in The Music Man.

No one initially believed in Willson’s “Valentine to Iowa,” seeing it as nothing but a corny flop or, worse, a recipe for disaster. But when the curtain fell on opening night, a star called The Music Man was born. Over 65 years later, that star is still marching right to this day, endeared by millions around the world. To understand Willson, his career, and his music is to understand how the Music Man came to be: he was truly the only person who could have ever written this show due to his unique background, talent, incredible persistence, and belief. The show’s ultimate success and longevity was anything but inevitable—rather, it was truly a miracle.

©2022 by Mark Cabaniss. Produced and Edited by Daniel Christian (P)2022 by Centre Street Productions

A Terrific Read on a Wonderful Man

Have just seen the latest revival of the Music Man on Broadway, on Christmas Day, 2022, I was interested in learning more about Meredith Willson. A really good work on Willson’s career, especially around the creative work developing Music Man. Very highly recommended!

Just not that interesting

Very well researched and thorough but it just isn’t all that interesting as a story. I would not recommend it but if you really want to know how the play got put together you will get that from this.

A warm and affectionate valentine to a great man

Rather late in his delightful book, author Mark Cabaniss observes that Meredith Willson's own foreword to his most famous musical states that it ought to be presented as a VALENTINE to small town Iowa, not as a caricature. It occurred to me how well that word 'valentine' describes this loving history of The Music Man--both the play and its originator. Anyone hoping to read a warts-and-all account of either the man or his brilliant musical will be sadly disappointed. But everyone else will cheer. In fact, I can't remember when I've read (or listened to) a more affectionate tribute to a great artist. This audio version of the book is the sound equivalent of a page turner; I couldn't turn it off. And the author's own reading of it added immensely to my enjoyment of it. Since I was not already very familiar with Willson's biography, or with the history of the play, the book also possessed for me the nature of a mystery story unfurling. Every improbable turn of events kept me guessing what would come next. As for the extent to which Cabaniss was able to bring fresh information to his account, I cannot say. But I think it's safe to assume that his access to surviving witnesses, and the time he spent in the stacks at the Willson archives in Mason City, Iowa (and elsewhere) yielded more than enough novel detail and perspective to reward even the most knowledgeable reader.

Interesting but doesn't offer much that is new.

This book was an enjoyable and interesting listen but didn't present much new information that can't be found in earlier biographies or Willson's memoirs. The basic premise of the book is summed up in a quote by Willson where he says he didn't have to write the Music Man, just had to remember it. The author emphasizes things that fit this narrative even though there is plenty of evidence to the contrary- such as the 40+ drafts Willson wrote over the course of several years before arriving at the final version.

What a talented man

Meredith Wilson was a frequent guest on the old Arthur Godfrey radio show. He regaled us with many stories that are included in this book of bringing “The Music Man” to Broadway. I absolutely loved reading this book and learning even more about my favorite Broadway musical and about the man who created it. I will read this over and over and over. Absolutely delightful!!!