Castle Craig Players Presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Now thru 6/8

Let's start at the very beginning... Almost sixteen years after first producing the show in 1998, the Castle Craig Players will make the hills come alive again, as they present THE SOUND OF MUSIC for two weekends only - today, May 30 through June 8.

Based on a true story, THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the masterful retelling of the story of the Trapp Family Singers. Set to the glorious music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, in their final collaboration, this classic musical features "Climb Every Mountain", "Do Re Mi", "My Favorite Things" and all the songs you love and remember.

"You can't help but love this show," said director Ian Galligan, "But my goal was to create a fresh Sound of Music. We did a lot of research on the real Maria and the Trapp family to give the characters an aspect of truth - and then combined that with elements from the original 1959 stage production, the 1965 movie version, and the 1998 Broadway revival. I think our audiences are going to see The Sound of Music in a new way and be surprised by it."

What audiences might not know are two other tunes, cut from the movie, that add an undercurrent of cynicism to a show that is often knocked for being sticky-sweet: "How Can Love Survive?" and "No Way to Stop It", which are both included in CCP's production. "I think it's a needed ingredient in the show that the movie doesn't have," Galligan says. "Our show also features "I Have Confidence" and "Something Good" - which were both written especially for the film."

The story begins when Maria, a young postulant whose love of freedom battles her strict religious lifestyle, is sent by her superiors to be the governess to Captain von Trapp's seven troublesome children. Unlike previous governesses, Maria becomes friends with the children through their mutual love of music. Soon, even the strict Captain von Trapp softens and falls in love with Maria. Unfortunately, when the Nazis invade Austria the family is forced to flee over the Alps to escape.

The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Russel Crouse and Howard Lindsay. The original Broadway production opened on November 16, 1959 and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The film version starred Julie Andrews in one of her most memorable roles and garnered five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

CCP's production stars Anne Collin as Maria and Patrick Spadaccino and Captain Georg von Trapp. They are joined by Wesley Tack (Max Dettweiler), Simone McMahon (Elsa Schraeder), Terri Davenport (Mother Abbess), Michael Bonassar (Rolf), Donna Wolther (Sister Margaretta), and Diane Warner-Canova (Sister Berthe). The seven singing von Trapp children are played by Meghan Rickard (Liesl), Bryan Brazel (Friedrich), Kendra Kochol (Louisa), Tim Perry (Kurt), Cameron Fay Nagy (Brigitta), Rose Nelson (Marta) and Ainsley Dahlstrom (Gretl).

The company also features Mo Lederman (Sister Sophia), Gayle Barrett (Frau Schmidt), Nick Alden (Franz), Kevin Scarpati (Herr Zeller), Michael Dolan (Admiral von Schreiber), as well as Arthur Canova, Amy Cerbie, Carolyn Daniels, Melanie Del Sole, Kuhlken Gorman, Becca Lo Presti, Deane Poirier, Hilary Rolstone, Cindy Simone and Holly Walker.

The show features music direction by Andrew Gadwah, assistant direction by Melanie Del Sole, set design by Ian Galligan, lighting design by Meg Ryan. Mark Laucella is Production Stage Manager, and Adam Plumley serves as Assistant Stage Manager.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC will be presented for six performances only - May 30-June 8 (Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm) at The Almira F. Stephan Memorial Playhouse, 59 West Main Street, Meriden, CT. Tickets are $20, and seating is extremely limited. Tickets may be purchased online at www.CastleCraig.org, over the phone by calling 203-634-6922, or by emailing BoxOffice@CastleCraig.org.

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