June 27, 2002

Broderick's lyrical theme plays on in 'Music Man'

By Gary Levin, USA Today

Matthew Broderick is turning from his acclaimed role in The Producers, a Broadway musical based on a movie, to ABC's remake of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, a movie based on a Broadway show.

Broderick is midway through shooting Music Man in Toronto and nearby towns standing in for the fictional River City, Iowa, circa 1912. He'll star in the movie, due in February or May, as fast-talking con man Professor Harold Hill, a far cry from milquetoast Producers accountant Leo Bloom.

"It's one of the great parts in musical comedy for men," Broderick says from the set. But he was daunted by Robert Preston, who played the role on Broadway in 1957 and in the 1962 movie. "I saw it on Broadway a couple years ago and grew up hearing the record album. There was kind of no way to get that out of my head. But I thought you shouldn't pass up an opportunity like that."

Wife Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City) was in talks to play Marian the librarian but backed out because of HBO commitments, and because "she felt the role should be played by a soprano," Broderick says. (Kristin Chenoweth stepped in.) But he's looking forward to the couple's next project, their first baby. "I'm excited and a teeny bit petrified by it, but I'll do my best," Broderick says. He'll take several months off once The Music Man is completed next month "to be present and helpful as a daddy."