Wednesday, June 19, 2002
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Wednesday, June 19, 2002 |
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'The Sound of Music' comes alive at Duke Auditorium starting tomorrow By MICHAEL
BOYLAN Though Fayette County is not necessarily known for its hills, one can be assured that they are most definitely alive with the sound of music. Fayette Players and Community Theatre, Inc. will present the beloved musical at the Willie Duke Auditorium at Starr's Mill High School starting tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. The story focuses on Maria, a young postulant who is not cut out to be a nun. Mother Abbess encourages Maria to find her true calling and Maria becomes the latest in a long line of governesses for the Von Trapp family. Captain Von Trapp is a widowed naval officer with seven children. The children behave in front of their father but have run off governess after governess with pranks. Maria wins them over with warmth, kindness and music and they become fast friends. Captain Von Trapp is won over by Maria's charms as well, but he is engaged to be married to the Baroness Schraeder. The Baroness convinces Maria to return to the Abbey but it is there that Mother Abbess puts Maria on the right path again, urging her to "Climb Every Mountain" and find her heart's desire. Maria returns and eventually she and the Captain are married. They do not live happily ever after just yet. The Nazis invade Austria and it becomes clear that the family must leave Austria. They perform at a concert and plot a daring escape. The family does eventually make it out of Austria and to the United States where they do live happily ever after. What makes this story even more amazing and heartwarming is that it is based on a true story. The cast and crew of "The Sound of Music" have been working hard every day for several months on the production. There are over 50 people in the cast and almost 20 people on the crew of what will be one of the most elaborate productions the theater company has ever put on. David Spearman, the drama instructor at Starr's Mill, is the director of the show, while Millie Turek, a choral instructor at Sandy Creek High School, is the musical director and Jonsie Pollock, a dance instructor at The Studio in Fayetteville, is the choreographer. Members of the cast include Michelle Witmer as Maria, Michael Houghtaling as Captain Von Trapp, Diana Gardner as Elsa Schraeder and Melinda Wilson as Mother Abbess. There are two groups of children that will be sharing the roles of the Von Trapp children. Over 90 talented children tried out for the roles and by choosing 14, the directors got to use more of the children who auditioned and take some of the pressure off of the children during the show's four-week run. "The Sound of Music" is one of the most famous musicals of all time and audiences are sure to enjoy Fayette Players and Community Theatre's production. "The Sound of Music" will be presented June 20-22, June 27-30, July 5-7 and July 11-13. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students. Advance tickets are currently on sale at the Fayetteville and Peachtree City Libraries and can also be reserved by calling 770-631-8568. |
