Community Players’ THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a Family Affair — Nov. 17, 18, 19 at Concord City Auditorium

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Webber, Community Players publicity                                                                                                                                                November 13, 2023

(603) 540-1117
jbw1026@aol.com


     The Sound of Music is a beloved family musical, enjoyed by multi-generations – and which introduced songs such as “Do Re Mi” and “My Favorite Things” to our families throughout the years and have been sung together in sing-alongs on road trips, in living rooms, nurseries and even assisted living facilities!

     The Community Players of Concord’s production of The Sound of Music brings all of these familiar tunes to the City Auditorium this week, while incorporating family both on stage and behind the scenes.  Perhaps more than any other time in the Players’ 96-Year history, the presence and the number of families involved, is exceptional – husbands, wives, parents and siblings all sharing the stage together.

     Shawn and Courtney Carmody bring their family’s long love of this show on stage together as Courtney plays a nun and Shawn plays the imperious Captain von Trapp, father of seven.  “Milk, bread, eggs and ‘The Sound of Music’ have been staples in our household ever since I can remember!” reflects Courtney, while Shawn learned his signature song, “Edelweiss” from his brother Joey who played it incessantly on his Fisher-Price record player.  Another family represented on stage: Maddie Short playing a nun and her dad Joe playing Admiral Von Schreiber.

     Long-time Community Player and local veterinarian, Donna Julian, plays Baroness Elberfeld and shares the stage with her daughter, Hannah McCauley, a kindergarten teacher, who plays Sister Sophia.  Her dad, Andy Julian, will be running the follow-spot for this current production.  Lisa Cohen is running curtains and “flying” scenery and her husband Mark is also on follow-spot.

     The Demers family are spending copious hours this week rehearsing at City Auditorium as a family.  Paula plays the Vienna socialite Elsa Shraeder, Captain von Trapp’s fianceé, and is joined by her husband Chris, a Concord educator, who plays Franz, the suspicious butler.  Daughter Katharine is part of the Nun Chorus as well as an integral part of the backstage crew making sure the beautiful set pieces are moved religiously.  Young actress Holly Keenan will also be on stage as Louisa von Trapp, while mom Natasha Reiner toils and trills in the Nun Chorus.

     Two very young actresses who are sure to steal your heart as the two youngest von Trapp children, Marta and Gretl, played by real-life sisters, Hazel and Violet Curran.  Both youngsters are already accruing an extensive resume of on-stage time in various local productions and their admiring parents have been heavily involved with a variety of important back stage tasks.

     Behind the scenes, the Bryson family of Warner are all-in with this production – husband and wife duo Ron and Beck are (respectively) designing and running lights and Beck is Stage Manager.  Their son, Parker, joins them this week to supervise the makeup transformation of the actors.

     The Sound of Music is all about family – in the book, on the stage and in the Community Players of Concord fall production for its 96th season!

     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.

     Merrimack County Savings Bank is the presenting sponsor for the Community Players’ 96th season. The Sound of Music is sponsored by Sanel-Napa Auto Parts company.  

     To learn more about the Community Players of Concord NH, go to communityplayersofconcord.org.