What a waste of money and time. I was looking forward to what a television production could bring, but uniformly hated this from beginning to end. The main problem, of course, is the casting. Matthew Broderick, who was probably the reason this production was done in the first place, is just horrendous as Harold Hill. I just never believed him in the part of a lecherous con man. His voice is too nasal; it's like he sucked helium before each song. Second runner up is Victor Garber as the mayor - he was just mean, never funny. Generally I like these two performers. Kristen Chenoweth, who I usually don't like, sings beautifully here; too bad she has to deliver dialog with that squeaky voice. The best thing in the movie was Mrs. Paroo (I forget the actress's name). I also didn't believe the interracial cast as representing realistic River City, Iowa society of the period. If you want a real treat, stick with the Robert Preston/Shirley Jones movie.
Review of The Music Man
