Wireless Mic & Projector Rental for The Music Man
Starting point: Most productions of The Music Man need 16 to 20 wireless channels. Our starting point is the Standard 20-channel system, which covers the principals, the barbershop quartet and the Pick-a-Little ladies. The Music Man JR. usually fits in 16 channels.
This is our suggested starting configuration, not a requirement of the show or its licensor. Your count depends on your edition, your staging and your crew.
How we got to 20 channels
The Music Man has a large featured cast, including the quartet and the ladies of River City. A typical plan:
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Principals (10): Harold Hill, Marian Paroo, Mrs. Paroo, Winthrop, Mayor Shinn, Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, Marcellus, Zaneeta, Tommy Djilas, Charlie Cowell
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Barbershop quartet (4): Olin, Ewart, Jacey, Oliver
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Featured roles (2 to 4): Amaryllis, Alma, Maud, Ethel
Cover the River City townspeople and the “Pick-a-Little” ladies with area mics if you are short on channels.
This count assumes: every listed role has its own transmitter; your venue covers big ensemble numbers with area or choir mics; and there are no pack swaps. Doubling roles or swapping packs lowers the count. Miking ensemble members individually raises it.
Doubling, pack swaps and your sound operator
Two actors can share a transmitter only if they are never on stage at the same time and a crew member has time offstage to move the pack, re-fit the mic and check it. Every channel also needs attention at the mixer: one operator following a marked script can run a show this size, but bring them into rehearsals before tech week.
Recommended package
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Wireless: Standard, Good (Shure SLXD), 20 channels, with Broadway lavs: $1,995/week. Book this exact system at Broadway Media →
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Better microphones: the same 20 channels in Better (Shure QLXD or Sennheiser EW-DX) is $2,995/week, and Best (Shure ULXD) is $3,995/week. Better → Best →
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Protection plan (required): choose one at checkout at Broadway Media: a Damage Waiver at 10% of the rental ($199.50 on the Good system for one week), your organization’s certificate of insurance, or a security deposit. Compare the options →
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Shipping and longer runs: shipping is charged at checkout at Broadway Media. Each extra week is the same weekly rate, with no multi-week discount.
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You provide: a mixer with 20 free mic inputs and a sound system. Economy is the only system that includes a mixer, so a Standard system connects to yours. Check your venue →
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Range: add a wireless expansion pack (from $195/week) for each 8 channels if performers work more than about 50 ft from the rack, such as in the house aisles. View expansion pack →
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Projector: River City, the footbridge and the library are classic projection settings. Start with your screen width, then check mounting distance and stage light on the projector page. Compare projectors →
Mic notes for Music Man
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“Rock Island”: the opening is rhythmic spoken word on a moving train; every salesman needs clear pickup, so mic them or add area mics.
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Barbershop quartet: blend matters; set their gains together and leave them alone.
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Harold Hill: talks fast and moves a lot; a secure earset is safest.
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“Seventy-Six Trombones”: if you march through the house, check range from the back.
Projecting River City
Scenery is licensed separately from the projector rental. Search Broadway Media’s catalog for your version of the show, then rent a projector to run it. Search scenery at Broadway Media →
Timeline
Pick a start Monday on or before the first rehearsal that needs mics. Broadway Media targets delivery by 5 p.m. local time that Monday, so plan setup and a full test during business hours that week, and book an extra week if you need the gear sooner. Book at least 9 days ahead; orders placed within 4 weeks of the start date may carry a rush charge. How renting works →
Request a quote for your Music Man production →
The Music Man is a trademark of its owners. Rent Stage Gear is not affiliated with or endorsed by the show’s licensor. Photo: The Music Man JR. at Eastern Regional High School, from Broadway Media’s production gallery.