Surflight Theatre Presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Now thru 8/25

The hills are alive as Surflight Theatre continues its 2012 season with The Sound of Music. Directed and choreographed by Charles Abbott, with music direction by Ben Krauss, The Sound of Music opens tonight, July 24 and runs through August 25, 2012. Tickets ($36-$54) are available by calling 609-492-9477 or at www.surflight.org.  

 

Surflight Theatre, under the leadership of award-winning Broadway Producers Timothy Laczynski (The Pee-Wee Herman Show, A Christmas Story), Executive Producer and Roy Miller (West Side Story, The Drowsy Chaperone, Ragtime, and the upcoming new musical Animal House) Artistic Director, are proud to present this family friendly classic, last seen on the Surflight stage in 2000.

 

Based on Maria von Trapp’s inspiring novel, “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” The Sound of Musicfeatures an unforgettable score by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The story revolves around Maria; a free-spirited, aspiring nun assigned to serve as a governess who restores harmony to the von Trapp family before the Nazi Anschluss forces them to flee their beloved homeland.

 

The unforgettable score features some of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most beloved songs including “The Sound of Music,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” and “Climb Every Mountain.” Surflight’s production also features two songs written by Richard Rodgers for the film version, “I Have Confidence” and “Something Good.”

 

The cast for Surflight’s The Sound of Music includes Crystal Kellogg (Maria), Al Bundonis (Capt. Von Trapp),Megan Thomas (Mother Abbess), John-Charles Kelly (Max Detweiler), Kristen Marie (Elsa Schraeder),Jenavene Bazacas (Liesl), Sasha Hayden Zitofsky (Friedrich), Devlin Stark (Louisa), Gavin Brennan (Kurt),Sienna Grinwald Alves (Brigitta), Hadley Magaziner (Marta), Nina Randazzo (Gretl), Marsha Waterbury(Sister Berthe), Jessica Kelly(Frau Schmidt), Kayley Anne Collins (Sr. Margaretta), Seth Bazacas (Franz),Daniel Plimpton (Rolf), Aliy Drago (Sister Sophia), Vincent D’Elia (Baron Elberfeld/Admiral von Schreiber), P.J. Adzima, Emily Brennan, Sarah Feinmark, Jennifer Margulis, Colton Pometta, Chrissy Hartzell, Jillian Riley, and Scott Shaefitz.

The production team of The Sound of Music includes Robert Klimowski (Set Designer), Candice Knox (Costume Designer), Sam Gordon (Lights), and Alan Douches (Sound).  Kevin Clutz is production stage manager.

 

The final collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. The Sound of Music opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 16, 1959. Starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, with direction by Vincent Donohue and choreography by Joe Layton, The Sound of Music ran in New York for a total of 1,433 performances, and won 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical (it tied with Fiorello!). Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer starred in the universally acclaimed 1965 Academy Award-winning film version. Hallmark produced a 1998 Broadway revival that starred Rebecca Luker and Michael Seberry, who were succeeded by Laura Benanti and Richard Chamberlain. Since its Broadway debut in 1959 the score for: The Sound of Music has captivated theater and movie-goers all over the world, and its timeless story line—the joys of love and family threatened by impending war—continues to resonate with audiences, especially today as we experience a world in conflict.

 

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (Music and Lyrics). After long and distinguished careers with other collaborators, Richard Rodgers (composer, 1902-1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (librettist/lyricist, 1895-1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in the American musical theatre.Oklahoma!, the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, was also the first of a new genre, the musical play, blending Rodgers’ sophisticated style of musical comedy with Hammerstein’s innovations in operetta. Oklahoma!was followed by Carousel, Allegro, South Pacific, The King and I, Me and Juliet, Pipe Dream, Flower Drum Song,and The Sound of Music. Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote one musical specifically for the big screen, State Fair, and one for television, Cinderella. Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals earned 34 Tony Awards, 14 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes, two Grammy Awards, and two Emmy Awards. For more on the wonderful world of Rodgers & Hammerstein log on to their state-of-the-art website: www.rnh.com.

 

Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (Book). The partnership of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse stands as one of the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical history, lasting for more than 28 years. In addition to The Sound of Music, their hit shows include Anything Goes; the long-run record holder Life With Father, the Pulitzer Prize-winning The State of the Union, Red Hot and Blue, Hooray for What, Life with Mother, Call Me Madam and Mr. President.

 

Surflight Theatre, 201 Engleside Avenue, is located in historic Beach Haven, New Jersey.  Performances are tonight, July 24 at 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday, July 25 at 2pm, Thursday, July 26 at 2pm and 8pm, Friday, July 27 at 8pm, Saturday, July 28 at 8pm, Sunday, July 29 at 2pm, Tuesday, July 31 at 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday, August 1 at 2pm, Thursday, August 2 at 2pm and 8pm,  Friday, August 3 at 8pm, Saturday, August 4 at 8pm, Sunday, August 5 at 2pm, Tuesday, August 7 at 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday, August 8 at 2pm,  Thursday, August 9 at 2pm and 8pm, Friday, August 10 at 8pm, Saturday, August 11 at 8pm, Sunday, August 12 at 2pm, Tuesday, August 14at 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday, August 15 at 2pm, Thursday, August 16 at 2pm and 8pm, Friday, August 17 at 8pm, Saturday, August 18 at 8pm, Sunday, August 19 at 2pm, Tuesday, August 21 at 2pm and 8pm, Wednesday, August 22 at 2pm, Thursday, August 23 at 2pm and 8pm, Friday, August 24 at 2pm and 8pm, Saturday, August 25 at 8pm.  Tickets are $36-$54.  Youth Tickets (ages 12 and under) are ½ price with the purchase of a full-price adult ticket.  Student Rush tickets are available one hour before performances with Student ID. Student Rush tickets are available one hour before performances with Student ID. Tickets are available online at www.surflight.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Surflight box office, by phone at 609-492-9477. For groups (15 or more) call: 609-492-9477 x201.