The Community Players of Concord, NH present the Classic Musical “The Sound of Music” on November 17, 18, 19 at Concord City Auditorium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Webber, Community Players publicity
(603) 540-1117
jbw1026@aol.com
On Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 pm, The Community Players of Concord will present the classic musical The Sound of Music at Concord City Auditorium. The final musical by the famous team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, it was by far the most-requested show on a recent Players’ survey.
Based on the memoir, The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp, the popular musical tells the story of an ebullient postulant who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. As the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and her new family make a life-changing decision. First brought to the stage in 1959, the book of the show was adapted by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, best known for Life With Father and Cole Porter’s Anything Goes. This stage musical, which introduced the songs “Do Re Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” has played throughout the world before becoming one of the most popular movies of all time, winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1965.
The Community Players production, which features a cast of 50 local actors on the City Auditorium stage, will be directed by Cindy Dickinson, who recently performed in two plays last season and stage managed The 39 Steps. She has directed numerous plays and musicals in the Peterborough area, including many at Conval High School, and has worked in many capacities at the Peterborough Players. Musical direction will be by Adam Boroskas, who conducted Sweeney Todd at the Audi in 2015, with choreography by Beth Fenske, who choreographed musical numbers in Spamalot and The Drowsy Chaperone for the Community Players.
Playing the high-spirited postulant, Maria Rainer, who brings the sound of music to Villa Trapp, is Ally Thorpe, in her first Community Players’ role (her relatives have been involved with the group since the 1930s.) Captain von Trapp will be played by Shawn Carmody. The seven motherless von Trapps are played by Annie Lelio (Liesl), Tom Lott (Friedrich), Holly Keenan (Louisa), Max Yakubovich (Kurt), Abby Durell (Brigitta), Hazel Curren (Marta) and Violet Curren (Gretl.) Paula Demers and Glen Grimard portray Vienna sophisticates Baroness Elsa Schraeder and impresario Max Detweiler. Mother Abbess of Nonnberg Abbey will be performed by Dorothy Yanish, with Hannah McCauley (Sister Sophia), Lauren Matava (Sister Berthe) and Sheila Zakrie (Sister Margaretta) lending her their problem-solving support. Jagger Reep plays Rolf, the politically-minded telegraph messenger.
This long-awaited Community Players’ production, with costumes by Lynn Head, sets by Jim Webber and lighting by Ron Bryson, will be staged managed by Beck Parker-Bryson and Barbara Woodman. The Brysons, Sally Kelly and Allwynne Fine handle the producing details of this large-cast musical. Merrimack County Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor for the Community Players’ 96th season, which will include Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution (February 2024) and Pride and Prejudice (May 2024). The Sound of Music is sponsored by Sanel-Napa Auto Parts company.
Performance dates and times: Friday, November 17th and Saturday, November 18th at 7:30 pm. Sunday, November 19th at 2:00 pm. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince Street, Concord, NH.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for juniors/seniors. Tickets are available online at communityplayersofconcord.org or by calling (603) 344-4747. The theatre box office will be open 90 minutes before each performance.
To learn more about the Community Players of Concord, NH, go to communityplayersofconcord.org.