ALONE, content, indifferent – all of these words resonate with each of us.
At some time we have been alone. We have been content with our lives. We have been indifferent to any other way of living; much like the blind man.
He was blind from birth, alone minding his own business. He was content with his lot, not knowing anything else. He was indifferent to others, believing he did not need anything else; until Christ came to him (John 9:1-12).
Our Lord spat on the ground, formed a paste-like mud and put it on the blind man’s eyes. Jesus then told him to wash. The man complied. Finding that he was able to see, he rejoiced and blessed God.
In the same way, we can be blind, alone, content and indifferent. Christ comes and affects our lives, showing us that we have been blind ’til there was Him.
He came to tell us that He loves us and wants us to have a new life in Him. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) He takes us from our old lives, from our sins, and gives us a new life.
Professor Harold Hill, in Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, comes to the unsuspecting citizens of River City, Iowa, and decides to shake things up and create a boys’ band. To do this, he needs to convince the town’s librarian Marian Paroo, who is alone and content with her life and indifferent to other people’s opinions.
However, Hill manages to win Marian’s heart and she realises that she now has a new life; her life has changed and will never be the same. She has found someone who loves her and suddenly her whole world has changed. Previously she could not hear the bells or the birds singing till there was him, Harold. Professor Hill is also changed by the experience, becoming a new man, moving away from his swindling past.
This joyous musical demonstrates that love of others can change people for good. Just as with Christ’s love, we are “filled with the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19) and changed for the better.
With well-known songs like 76 Trombones and ’Til There Was You Meredith Willson’s five-time TONY Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation. This is a show not to be missed.
The Music Man plays from June 3-8 at the Schonell Theatre, University of Queensland. Curtain is at 7.30pm from Wednesday to Saturday with 1.30pm matinees on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7. There is a special matinee at 11.30am on Monday, June 8, the Queen’s Birthday holiday. The season is only one-week long so bookings are essential to avoid disappointment. Bookings may be made via the Queensland Musical Theatre website: queenslandmusicaltheatre.com or via Ticketek: telephone 132 849.
