"The Sound of Music"
For the first time ever the Ashland University Department of Theatre and the Ashland Kroc Youth Theatre are joining forces and will present the timeless classic, “The Sound of Music,” from Friday through Sunday, March 21-23, at AU’s Hugo Young Theatre inside the Center for the Arts (331 College Ave.). There will be four shows, Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
“The Sound of Music,” winner of the 1959 Tony Award for Best Musical, tells the heartwarming, unforgettable journey of Maria, who leaves an abbey to serve as governess to the seven children of the von Trapp family. Their journey of love, music and adventure is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.”
This production will be directed by Teresa Durbin-Ames, Ph.D., associate professor of theatre at AU, with Majors Billy and Annalise Francis, corps officers and administrators at the Salvation Army Ashland Kroc Center, serving as music and movement directors.
AU students playing lead roles include Ellie Nickoli (Maria Rainer), Keever Whitehead (Captain Georg von Trapp), Emilee Fletcher (Mother Abbess), Emma Hutchison-Deehr (Sister Berthe), Lydia Ward (Sister Margaretta), Meredith Morgan (Sister Sophia), Sheldon Stotts (Franz), Kathryn Shoaff (Frau Schmidt), Owen Radebaugh (Rolf Gruber), Elsa Schraeder (Leanna Uselton) and Max Detweiler (Gabriel Noble).
The theatre programs’ partnership is mutually beneficial, as AU students are enjoying the opportunity to serve as mentors to the aspiring young actors from the Ashland Kroc Youth Theatre.
“This partnership provides an opportunity for the university to engage directly with the community promoting the arts, bringing new people to campus and creating future audiences,” said Durbin-Ames. “It is exciting to see the AU students working with the young cast members on this beautiful show. Not only do the youth get to watch how someone older creates a role, but the college students also get to experience the enthusiasm and commitment that the youth bring to every rehearsal.”
“What an amazing opportunity this is to partner with Ashland University’s Department of Theatre on ‘The Sound of Music,’” said Major Billy Francis. “While many of the selected cast members have been with the Ashland Kroc Youth Theatre for multiple productions, this opportunity gives them a chance to partner and learn from seasoned, collegiate-level thespians and perform in front of a larger audience at the Hugo Young Theatre.”
Tickets can be purchased from the AU Campus Store in person or online at photographywaltz.com/performing-arts-tickets. They are $2 for AU students, $10 for children and $15 for adults.
“The Sound of Music” is being presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization (concordtheatricals.com). Music by Richard Rogers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. Suggested by “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.