The Drayton Festival Theatre will launch its 2012 season with the timeless classic, The Sound of Music.
The beloved musical plays eight shows a week from May 15 to June 9.
“The Sound of Music is considered one of the most revered productions in musical theatre history,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
“Its classic score features such iconic songs as My Favourite Things, Do Re Mi, Edelweiss and Climb Every Mountain, which have become cherished by generations of theatregoers.”
In this epic love story, an aspiring nun named Maria leaves the convent to govern the seven children of Captain von Trapp. Given their shared love of music, she easily befriends the mischievous group and their camaraderie sparks a magical relationship when the strict Captain begins to see Maria in a new light.
The Sound of Music is directed and choreographed by Timothy French, who has helmed several past Drayton Entertainment productions, including Camelot, Me And My Girl, Damn Yankees and Carousel.
French is supported by music director Charlene Nafziger, set designer Kelly Wolf, lighting designer Jeff Johnston Collins and costume designer Rachel Berchtold.
The group of actors and musicians assembled for this production includes Jayme Armstrong as the free-spirited Maria. No stranger to Drayton Entertainment audiences, Armstrong has appeared recently in 9 To 5: The Musical, Harvey, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Country Legends.
“It’s a real coup to have Jayme Armstrong as our Maria,” said Mustakas.
“Jayme is a stand-out talent who became widely known to Canadians as a finalist in the CBC smash-hit reality show, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? She is rightly considered one of the greatest leading ladies in musical theatre today.”
W. Joseph Matheson is Captain von Trapp. Matheson is also known to Drayton Entertainment patrons, having starred in Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions last season at the Drayton Festival Theatre as well as for his portrayal of Hank Williams in Hank Williams Live – 1952, a tribute concert that returns to the Drayton Festival Theatre this fall.
The seven von Trapp children are played by a remarkable group of talented young performers: Alyson Workman as Liesl, Jonny Woolley as Friedrich, Brontae Hunter as Louisa, Peter Jones as Kurt, Hadley Mustakas as Brigitta, Victoria Luis as Marta and Avery Grierson as Gretl.
Rounding out an exceptional cast are Laurie Murdoch as Max Detweiller, Jill Diane Filion as Elsa Schrader, Rebecca Poff as Mother Abbess, Christina Gordon as Sister Berthe, Karen K. Edissi as Sister Margaretta, Gabi Epstein as Sister Sophie, Ian Deakin as Franz, Michelle Fisk as Frau Schmidt, Stuart Dowling as Herr Zeller, Lucas Meeuse as Rolf Gruber, William Fisher as Admiral Von Schrieber, Dawn Bergstrom as Baroness Elberfeld and Sheldon Bergstrom as Baron Elberfeld.
In an effort to create opportunities for community members to receive mentorship and training in a professional theatre production, an open audition for ensemble characters was held at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Eight local performers were cast and will appear with professional actors in each performance of The Sound of Music.
“This show promises to be a grand production and everyone involved is going to have a truly rewarding experience,” said Mustakas.
The Sound of Music is based on The Trapp Family Singers, a memoir by Maria August Trapp. The inaugural Broadway production took place in November, 1959 and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, capturing five wins including best musical, best actress in a musical and best scenic design.
The play was later adapted as a landmark musical film in 1965 that starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film won five Academy Awards and two Golden Globes including best picture, best director and best actress.
The Sound of Music runs May 15 though June 9. Tickets are selling quickly and theatregoers are encouraged to book their seats soon to avoid disappointment.
Tickets can be purchased online at draytonfestivaltheatre.com, in person at the Drayton Festival Theatre or by calling the box office at 519-638-5555 or toll free at 1-855-372-9866.
