A server at a La Conner restaurant isn't just singing the praises of Skagit County's musical community.

She's lending her voice to it, returning to the stage after a lengthy hiatus, with the Skagit Valley College presentation of "The Music Man," Meredith Wilson's 1957 Broadway musical comedy.

Noelle Ford, who by day works at The Slider Café, is rehearsing several nights weekly for the Feb. 23-March 3 run at McIntyre Hall on the SVC campus.

She was thrilled to learn that tryouts for parts in the local production of "The Music Man" weren't limited to SVC theater arts students. The Tony Award-winning tale highlights traveling con man Harold Hill and his arrival in the fictitious River City.

"It's been 25 years since I've been in a play," Ford told the Weekly News. "I've missed being part of the musical community." Ford grew up on the northern California coast and now resides in Burlington.

Encouraged by her grandmother, Ford took piano lessons for 10 years as a student in Fort Bragg, California, about 120 miles northwest of Santa Rosa, at the northern tip of the Bay Area.

"I did theater in school and loved it," recalled Ford, whose fondest memories include having landed the lead in a performance of "The Fantasticks," one of theater's most popular and durable musicals.

Ford's love of the theater ultimately gave way to economic realities.

"For years," she explained, "I had to work nights, so I couldn't do theater. But now that I'm working days here at Slider's, I can try it again."

She's making the most of her opportunity, rehearsing as often as possible.

"I've always loved singing," said Ford, who as part of the ensemble cast will deliver a solo line.

During her initial foray into the musical world, as a teen vocalist, Ford sang soprano. That has changed a bit, she acknowledged.

"I'm thinking that now I'm more of an alto," she said. "It's a little harder for me to hit those higher notes anymore."

Her familiarity with musical expression is matched by having established roots in Skagit County.

"La Conner," she said, "reminds me so much of where I grew up. There's the same kind of feeling in the community."

Even while away from the stage, Ford stayed connected as best she could. She maintained contact with her first school choir teacher, who by coincidence had re-located from Northern California to Bellingham, where he founded a performing arts academy for children.

"I reached out to him when he moved here," Ford noted.

She has continued to play piano and write music in her spare time. And when Ford saw a posting last fall that auditions for "The Music Man" would be held at nearby SVC, she couldn't resist emailing the college to ask if non-students could try out.

"They said it was open to everybody," Ford said, her relief still apparent in the re-telling.

Ford's audition went well, and she is again a member of the musical fraternity.

"It's fun," Ford said, "and the people you get to know is really a big part of it. There are lots of different personalities."

Her personality is one clearly shaped by music. On the job, she's consistently upbeat and rarely misses opportunities to share positive notes with her Slider Café customers.

Appearing in "The Music Man" literally has her singing for joy.

"I would just say that anyone who feels too old to follow through with their childhood dreams shouldn't hesitate to go ahead and do it," she said. "For me, this has re-opened a door that's a major joy for me.