TALKBACK DISCUSSION GUIDE
We hope you have enjoyed The Music Man as much as the cast and crew here at WCS has enjoyed performing it. Now that the curtain has closed on our musical adventure, why not keep the thought-tunes playing? Spend a few moments offstage exploring some of the themes explored onstage.
For Lower School Students:
- What did you like most about the show tonight?
- Who was your favorite character? Why?
- The character of Harold Hill deceives the town, but doesn’t really suffer any punishment? Do you think that is realistic? Is it ever OK to lie, even if you aren’t caught or it turns out OK in the end?
- Imagine that the play didn’t end where it does, but continued along. What do you think would happen next? Does Harold stay in River City? Does he give back the money? Does Marion continue to produce the band with him?
For Upper School Students:
- What did you like most about the show tonight?
- The character of Harold Hill deceives the town, but doesn’t really suffer any punishment? Do you think that is realistic? Is it ever OK to lie, even if you aren’t caught or it turns out OK in the end?
- Despite Harold’s deception, the town seems to be better off in the end, more joyful and unified. Can you think of times in history or in your life when God has redeemed a situation, despite the sinful actions or evil intentions of someone? (See Genesis 50, Romans 5)
- Winthrop (Marion's little brother) is grieving the loss of his father, and feels especially betrayed by Harold's grift and deception. How do you respond when someone deceives or betrays you? How does Scripture prescribe we ought to handle such things? (see Matthew 18)
- How do gossip and rumors impact Marion and others in the town? Why do we love gossip so much (when it is about others) but hate it (when it is about us)?
