We’ve all got that song we can’t get out of our head – whether we want it there or not! But for those of us who are lucky enough to have it be a song from a classic musical we love, it’s a welcome companion. I’m a huge fan of live theater, and while the Hawkeye State may be a long way away from Broadway, the state does have a lush tradition of musical theater. One show looms larger than any other – because it was created by a native son of Iowa and pays tribute to his home state. The Music Man, a comic tale of a small-town con man who pulls off an elaborate ruse involving musical instruments only to be foiled by an unexpected wrinkle – falling in love – has been a massive hit that has spawned productions and revivals around the world, as well as a highly successful movie. It’s definitely the most famous musical from Iowa, and its catchy tunes are a source of nostalgia for any Hawkeye who hears them.

Most famously, The Music Man was adapted into a 1962 movie musical starring Robert Preston, which was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards – but the musical’s legacy in Iowa goes even further.

Mason City feels like it's frozen in time, so it's no surprise that it pays so much tribute to its favorite son.
Chris/Wikipedia
Meredith Willson was not only born in Mason City in 1902, but carried the town with him his whole life - so it's no surprise that his most famous work pays tribute to the town, and the town pays tribute to him.
Stage Company Promo Department/Wikipedia
Among other sites in the town, his boyhood home is now a museum.
Jonathunder/Wikipedia

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Statues and plaques pay tribute and explain the history of the man and the musical around town.
Leandro Barbosa/Google Local
There's even a whole museum dedicated to the show, Music Man Square, which recreates a 1920s Iowa main street.
Linh Nguyen/Google Local
In addition to the unique facade, the museum is filled with props from the musical - and anyone who visits will likely have one of those songs in their head the whole time.
Mark Fortino/Google Local

For many younger people, though, the most famous legacy of The Music Man may be the parody performance of its fast-paced toe-tapper “Shipoopi,” which went viral after an appearance on the long-running Fox comedy Family Guy.

Are you a fan of The Music Man? Did you know about the legacy of this famous musical from Iowa? Let us know in the comments section! If you want to visit Mason City’s tribute for yourself, make sure to visit the Facebook page of Music Man Square to find out more. The entire town of Mason City exudes nostalgia, so make sure to drop by Birdsall’s Ice Cream, the town’s most famous restaurant. And to complete a historic getaway to Mason City, why not book a night at The Historic Park Inn?

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