Act I

The show opens on a train where we find a group of travelling salesmen complaining about business (Rock Island). Gradually, talk turns to the subject of a certain Harold Hill, whose reputation as a confidence trickster is well known. Unbeknownst to the salesmen, Harold Hill is also on the train and overhears their conversation. As the train approaches River City, Iowa, Hill jumps up and, introducing himself, leaves the train.

Hill arrives in town just in time to hear the townspeople singing about the virtues of Iowans (Iowa Stubborn). He meets an old friend, Marcellus, and questions him about the best way to convince the people of River City to buy a complete set of band instruments and uniforms. Marcellus informs him that this will be difficult because of the tough music teacher, Marian Paroo, who also happens to be the town librarian. Marcellus mentions the arrival of a pool table in town. Hill tells the townsfolk how much trouble a pool table could bring to the community (You Got Trouble).

Later at the Paroo's house that same evening Amaryllis is having a piano lesson and Marion uses the opportunity to tell her mother that a strange man has followed her. Mrs. Paroo tells her that this may be her last opportunity to find a man (If You Don't Mind Me Saying So). Winthrop, Marian's young brother, arrives home but refuses to speak to Amaryllis. Marian explains to her that it is because of his stutter and that he hardly speaks to anyone (Goodnight My Someone).

The following day is the Fourth of July and in the School Hall festivities are underway. Harold Hill starts to spread gossip about the new pool table in town. He then announces that he has a perfect solution for the trouble the town is facing (76 Trombones). Mayor Shinn and the School Board suspect Hill and approach him for his credentials. Whilst the Mayor is kept busy trying to disengage his daughter Zaneeta from the arms of her boyfriend Tommy Djilas, Harold quickly distracts the School Board by teaching them to harmonize (Sincere).Harold is introduced to the Ladies' Committee, led by Eulalie Mackenknie Shinn, the Mayor's wife, and he persuades them to participate in the formation of a classical dance committee. He mentions Marian to the ladies and hears the gossip about her (Picalittle, Talkalittle). The School Boar

Three days later Harold visits the library in an attempt to woo Marian as part of his plan (Marian, The Librarian). Harold visits Mrs. Paroo in an effort to sell her band qeuipment for Winthrop. Marian enters and explains that the reason for her brother's speech impediment is their father's death. Harold leaves and her mother admonishes Marian for her coldness towards Harold.

The following Saturday at noon, Tommy and Zaneeta make a date to meet later that evening at the footbridge. Marian approaches Major Shinn with information she has found in a book at the library, but Zaneeta rushes in with the news that the Wells Fargo wagon is coming into town. The townspeople gather and begin to speculate on what it may be bringing for them (The Wells Fargo Wagon). The band instruments arrive on the wagon, and Harold hands a trumpet to Winthrop, who is overjoyed. As the curtain falls, Marian is so pleased with Winthrop's reaction that she destroys the evidence against Hill that she has found

Act II

The following Wednesday, the Ladies' Committee is rehearsing the ballet to be performed at the Ice Cream Sociable. The School Board expresses its admiration of the dancing (It's You). A crowd of people, led by Zaneeta and Marcellus, come in to rehearse the dance that Harold Hill has taught them (Shipoopi). Mayjor Shinn arrives and tells Tommy to leave, which upsets Zaneeta. The Mayor still doesn't trust Hill although Marian tries to defend him by explaining the good that the band has done for the town. Harold sticks up for Tommy, and Marian finally agrees that Harold may call on her any evening. The Ladies' Committee returns (Pickalittle reprise).

The following Saturday the School Board accosts Harold demanding his credentials (Will I Ever Tell You/Lida Rose). Immediately following, Winthrop returns home and tells Marian and his mother about Harold Hill's hometown (Gary, Indiana). Charlie Cowell, a travelling salesman comes by looking for the Shinn house as he has information about Hill. Marian manages to stall him until he has to run for the train, but not before he tells her that Harold has girls in every town. Harold calls to visit that evening and he and Marian agree to meet later at the footbridge before the sociable. Fifteen minutes later at the footbridge, Marcellus tries to persuade Harold to take the money he has collected and leave, befo

At the sociable, Charlie, having missed his train, harangues the crowd, telling them that Harold is a fraud and a swindler. Harold goes to say goodbye to Marian (Till There Was You reprise). Winthrop arrives and is upset with Harold. The School Board arrives with Harold in custody.

In the town square Mayor Shinn tells the townsfolk that he knew all along that Hill was a fraud, but Marian tries to counteract him by again pointing out the good that was brought into town by the formation of the band. The band bursts in and Harold is handed the baton as the curtain falls.