JPAS Presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 3/19-4/3

Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) is thrilled to bring Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Music by Richard Rodgers . Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II . Book by Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse. Suggested by The Story of the Von Trapp Family Singers) to the stage in Metairie, LA, Slidell, LA and Meridian, MS.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC will be performed on the following dates and venues:
March 19-April 3, 2011 - Performances Saturdays at 7:30PM and Sundays at 2PM
at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center (EJHS Auditorium, 400 Phlox St. in Metairie, LA)

Saturday, April 9, 2011 - IN CONCERT* Performance at 7:30PM
at the Northshore Harbor Center (100 Harbor Center Blvd. in Slidell, LA)
(*This performance highlights the orchestrations and music of the production with limited technical aspects)

Sunday, April 10, 2011 - Performance at 2PM at the Temple Theatre (2320 8th Street in Meridian, MS)

KRIS SHAW directs with choreography by LYNNE L. BORDELON, musical direction by NATALIE TRUE and the JPAS Broadway Pit Orchestra conducted by DENNIS G. ASSAF. MICAH RICHERAND DESONIER stars as Maria, with JEFF HAFNER as Captian Von Trapp, DANA RICE GUIDROZ as Mother Abbess, Chris Wecklein as Max Detweiler, NANCY ROSS as Baroness Schraeder and JASON KIRKPATRICK as Herr Zeller. The seven Von Trapp children have been double cast and will perform alternating performances: KAROLINE PATRICK, CHRISTIAN TARZETTI, COLDIN GRUNDMEYER, SERGUIS CENTANNI, Madison SmithER, ELIZABETH DONNER, SAWYER NUNES, BRIAN FINK, ANNABEL BAILEY, MORGAN GUERRA, ISABELLA WOLLFARTH, REBECCA D'ANTONIO, EMMA DIAGREPONT, and BEVIN KELLEY. The cast also features AUSTIN ALLEMAN as Rolf. JPAS is so proud to have actors of all ages from all over the state bringing this production to life!

The cast also includes: PETER GABB, LINDA BRASSETT, COLLEEN ROBINSON, NATALIE SUTTON, ALLEE PECK, SARAH STEMBEL, TAMMY HATHAWAY, KATELIN NICHOLSON, JONNE DENDINGER, ERIN HARRIS, CINDY RIGAMER, MARY Beth Williams, ASHLEY-Ann Woods, MARGARET McNEAL, REBECCA MEYER, JON GARRAD, DEAN WRAY

Tickets are $15 kids (12 and under), $20 for students (with valid ID), $25-30 for seniors, $25-35 for adults. PLEASE NOTE - Prices vary by age, venue and seating section and not all prices are available at all venues. Please visit www.jpas.org or call 504-885-2000 for more specific pricing info. For tickets, call the JPAS Box Office at (local) 504-885-2000, (toll free) 1-877-884-JPAS or online at www.jpas.org. JPAS has great group rates!

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical! When Maria proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain's immediate service in their navy. The family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time, but seeing THE SOUND OF MUSIC live on stage is one of the most inspirational and enjoyable experiences you will ever have at the theatre! Don't miss Jefferson Performing Arts Society's production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC!

 

More about the Cast!

 

 

MICAH RICHERAND DESONIER stars as Maria. She was last seen on stage in the JPAS' production of Goodnight Moon. She was born in Folsom La. where she grew up dancing at Javier's Dance studio. She has performed with Javier's professional company, Cangelosi Dance Project, Izzy Moving, Leggworks and Southeastern Louisiana University. Micah has also appeared in JPAS' production of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and FOOTLOOSE and Rivertown's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.

JEFF HAFFNER, AEA stars as Captain Von Trapp. Haffner holds a B.A. from Ashland University and an M.F.A. from University of Georgia. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he is happy to be working with JPAS again! In 2008, he appeared with JPAS as "Monsieur D'Arque" in Beauty and the Beast, and as "Orioli", "Pinker", and others in Scandalous!. Recent credits include "Mr. Darling/Captain Hook" in Peter Pan, "Yellow Dog" in Go Dog. Go! , "Mr. Pinkerton" in Pinkalicious, "Mr. Fulton" in High School Musical 2 (all with Omaha Theatre Company), and "Kanute Gunderson" in "Don't Hug Me and A Don't Hug Me County Fair" with the Old Creamery Theatre (Amana, IA). Jeff has taught acting, commedia dell'arte, and juggling at a variety of schools and theatres, including the University of Georgia, Ashland University, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Florida Repertory Theatre, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of Arizona.

Chris Wecklein (Max Detweiler) A native New Yorker, he was last seen on the JPAS stage as Max Bialystock in the JPAS Production of THE PRODUCERS. Recent credits include ROCKY HORROR (Riff Raff, JPAS), A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES (Dorian, Tennessee Williams Festival) and THE BLACK AND WHITE BLUES (original cast, NOLA & NYC and co-producer, NYC production). Chris has appeared in numerous Cabaret shows in New Orleans, NYC and the prestigious Greenbrier. On March 31, he will be seen with his partners Becky Allen and Harry Mayronne in HOT STUFF! as part of City Park's Twilight series. A national Maalox TV spot is among Chris‘s commercial appearances. MC engagements: CAROLING IN THE SQUARE, BUSTOUT BURLESQUE (House of Blues). He can be seen as Baylor in the upcoming film I LOVE YOU PHILIP MORRIS.

NANCY ROSS (Baroness Elsa Schraeder) was last seen on the JPAS stage as Musetta in this season's production of LA BOHEME. Miss Ross has brought her luminous coloratura to Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor ; Micaela in Carmen; Adina in L'Elisir d'Amore; Gilda in Rigoletto and Susannah in The Marriage of Figaro for such companies as the New Orleans Opera Association, Pensacola Opera, Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS), Tampa Bay Opera, Athens Opera and recently Violetta in La Traviata for JPAS and for the first Lecco Opera Festival in Lecco, Italy. Operetta and Musical Theatre roles include Marianne in New Moon; Lady Moon in Eileen; Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus; Kathy in Student Prince; Josephine in HMS Pinafore; Laurie in Oklahoma; Carrie in Carousel; Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music; Isabel and Estrelda in El Capitan; Kate in Kiss Me Kate; Mary Contrary in Babes in Toyland; Hannah in The Merry Widow and Madame de La Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast for Ohio Light Opera, JPAS and Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre. Ms. Ross made her Carnegie Hall debut as soloist in Mozart's Mass in c Minor with the New England Chamber Ensemble. Nancy holds the degrees of B.M.E. from Loyola University and the M.F.A. in Vocal Performance from Tulane University where she was also Visiting Assistant Professor from 1989-1991.

JASON KIRKPATRICK (Herr Zeller) was last seen on the JPAS stage as Grown-up Ralphie in this season's production of A CHRISTMAS STORY. He received his BA in Drama Communications from the University of New Orleans. He Teaches Movement and Period Style at NOCCA. He spent 5 years with the Oklahoma Shakespearean Fest and did 3 national tours with the Repertory Theatre of America. He was also a company member at the Roxy Regional Theatre. Jason was last seen in THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT (InSideOut Productions), THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Tulane Shakespeare Festival) and IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY (Southern Rep). He won the 2009 Big Easy Award for Best Supporting actor in a Drama. He is also is in the film THE JACK OF SPADES with Jennifer Coolidge, and was in season one of HBO's TREME.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Music by Richard Rodgers . Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II . Book by Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse. Suggested by The Story of the Von Trapp Family Singers). Directed by Kris Shaw Choreography by Lynne L. Bordelon, Musical Direction by Natalie True. Scenic design by Axis Designs - Isabel Curley-Clay and Moriah Curley-Clay. Costumes by Adam Alonso. Costume Supervisor/Construction by Jocelyn Glanzman. Technical Direction by Jeffrey M. Davis. Master Carpenter: Elizabeth Broomall. General Technician: William Spratt.

More About the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS)
Founded in 1978 by Dennis G. Assaf and Hannah Cunningham, Jefferson Performing Arts Society is a non-profit professional arts organization whose mission is to promote arts performance, training and outreach by providing a diverse range of quality programs that entertain, educate and enrich the cultural and economic vitality of Jefferson Parish, Greater New Orleans and the Gulf South.

JPAS focuses on three main elements:
PERFORMANCE JPAS annually provides a wide range of theatrical performances that appeal to many interests and age groups. Most seasons include a selection of grand opera, musical theater, dance and music. JPAS strives to network and partner with national and International Artists and companies to bring new and diverse programming to the Southern Region.

TRAINING JPAS provides performance and technical based training in the arts for all ages with a particular focus on young people.

OUTREACH JPAS provides arts education programming in local area schools, as well as access to professional theatrical experiences that align to classroom curricula and Louisiana Content Standards, including Arts Adventure Series, Cultural Crossroads and Stage Without A Theatre. JPAS provides performers, musicians, artistic experiences and expertise to select area events and organizations to enrich the community.

 

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