Dear NBC, Here Are Five Actors We'd Love to See Play Harold Hill in Your Live Music Man Telecast
May we have your attention please: NBC is airing a live telecast of The Music Man in 2015! We’re so excited we could break out our 76 trombones and 110 cornets right here, but first, there is some very important business to discuss. Who will be playing fast-talking con man Harold Hill?! There are a couple of ground rules: He must be dreamy, bursting with charisma, and a smooth schmoozer that can talk his way out of anything. NBC, we have five great Harold Hills we'd love to submit for your approval. Check out our top choices, then leave your own ideas in the comments below!
Seth MacFarlane
The Family Guy creator already proven his penchant for the patter: He sang “Ya Got Trouble” on BBC’s Proms and has rocked “The Sadder But Wiser Girl” at his concerts. We hope Fox will let NBC borrow him for the evening, because he’s been our top choice to play Harold Hill for years!
Norbert Leo Butz
This two-time Tony winner had charisma coming out his ears in Broadway’s Big Fish (and, let’s face it, in every role he’s ever played) so we think he’d be a fantastic choice to win over the town of River City, Iowa, as the smooth-talking Harold Hill.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Like MacFarlane, Gordon-Levitt has never starred in a musical before, so having him tackle a leading role live on TV is admittedly a risk. But did you see him nail “Make ‘Em Laugh” live on SNL? We think he’s definitely up to the task.
Gavin Creel
Two-time Tony nominee Gavin Creel just snagged an Olivier Award for his performance in The Book of Mormon in the West End, and we think it’s high time he made a trip home. Now that he’s traveled the world as a Mormon missionary, it’s the perfect opportunity for him to make a pit stop in Iowa and swindle unsuspecting townsfolks!
Santino Fontana
After surprising us with his vocal chops in Cinderella, we’d love to see Act One star Santino Fontana organize a boys’ marching band for the fine folks of River City. But if this happens, NBC, you must make us a deal: Laura Osnes will play Marian "the Librarian" Paroo. This is absolutely non-negotiable.
