Mrs. Paroo

I was in Philly the day "The Music Man" opened at the Walnut Street Theater. Mary is not a huge fan of this particular publicity shot, but it does a good job of showing her in full swing as Mrs. Paroo, Marian the Librarian's mother. The gap-toothed little boy playing Winthrop was an audience favorite, with the charm of Alfalfa and the voice of Liza Minnelli. Mary says he's a little terror backstage, but with two casts of 15 children each, the stage parents are worse.

The Walnut Street Theater is the oldest in America, according to its website. Ford and Carter debated here in 1976. Here's some history.