They spend their days going to work or school, but in their off-time, a group of Saskatoon theatre-enthusiasts gather to form the cast of The Music Man, a Tony Award winning musical being put on by the Saskatoon Summer Players.

Ashley Smith, who plays Marian Paroo, says the play follows a salesman who tries to con the residents of River City into buying the materials needed to start a band, with plans to take the money and run before anything comes to fruition. However, his plans are derailed by love after he meets the town librarian.

“It is a feel-good show. You’ll leave the theatre feeling rejuvenated, excited, and you’re definitely going to have some laughs along the way.”

Smith says the cast is made up of 45 volunteer actors, a large undertaking when organizing and scheduling the show.

“That includes a full children’s ensemble. We also have a 21-piece orchestra, we have a massive crew. So this is a very large…group of people that are putting on this particular show.”

“The show is so diverse in the sense that it is super funny, it’s very heartfelt. The songs: you have everything from barbershop quartet to ballads to us talking (quickly in) really exciting songs. (There is) lots of choreography.”

Smith adds that cast members range from six to over 70 years old, making for a family-friendly show with diverse representation.

“We have everything from doctors, lawyers, teachers, you name it, we have it in the cast. Everyone is exceptionally busy outside of doing this show, so it’s been amazing to bring all these people together from all these different backgrounds.”

The show runs from June 14-23 and tickets are available at saskatoonsummerplayers.ca.