San Diego Musical Theatre Presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Now thru 5/26

San Diego Musical Theatre announces its second production of the 2013 season, Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, running tonight, May 10-26, 2013 with a press opening on Saturday, May 11, at The Birch North Park Theatre. THE SOUND OF MUSIC features Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. When a postulant 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.

CREATIVE TEAM

Todd Nielsen (Director/Choreographer) Director of SDMT's White Christmas, Todd is an award winning and oft nominated director/choreographer, recent projects include Company for Chapman University, Dames At Sea for the Colony Theatre in Burbank, A New Brain for Musical Theatre Guild, The Wiz for AMDA, The Robber Bridegroom for ICT, Urinetown for Chapman University and 1776 for Glendale Centre Theatre. Todd served as Resident Director for the Cheetah National tour of Disney's The Lion King. For the International Mystery Writers Festival in Owensboro, KY, Todd directed the world premiere mystery, Absolutely Dead featuring Kathy Garver. Other past projects include Urinetown, Lend Me a Tenor and Godspell for Chapman, Phantom for Moonlight Stage Productions, No Sex Please We're British for the Norris Theatre, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune and How the Other Half Loves at ICT, Plaid Tidings for the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Welk Resort and Disney's Beauty and the Beast for the Croswell Opera House. He has also directed and choreographed several concert stagings including Little Me with Jason Graae, Seesaw, Out of This World and Merrily We Roll Along for the Musical Theatre Guild up in LA. Todd also works extensively with the Nine O'Clock Players, a charity organization that produces children's theatre.

Don LeMaster (Music Director/Conductor) An award-winning Musical Director, Don has been the resident musical director/conductor for San Diego Musical Theatre since it's inception in 2006. Don has MD'd at many theaters including: Performance Riverside, Moonlight, Cygnet, Starlight, South Bay Cities, North Coast Rep, McCoy Rigby and the Old Globe Theatre.

The creative team also includes Matthew Novotny, Lighting Designer; Janet Pitcher, Costume Co-Ordinator; Tarin Hurstell, Stage Manager; and 25-piece orchestra led by Musical Director Don LeMaster.

CAST

The cast features Allison Spratt Pearce* as Maria Rainer; Randall Dodge* as Captain Georg von Trapp; David McBean* as Max Detweiler; Jill Van Velzer* as Elsa Schraeder; and Victoria Strong* as The Mother Abbess. *Member of Actors' Equity Association

Also in the cast are Luke Babbitt, Susan Boland, Annie Buckley, Laura Bueno, Janie d'Avignon, Gabriella Dimmick, Mary Ann DiPietro, Max Gidaley, Jeni Hawkes, Glenn Hermans, Katelyn Katz, Hourie Kilijian, Jim Marshall, AshLee Mayer, Charles Maze, Kevin McDonald, Jonas McMullen, Chad Patterson, Kelly Prendergast, Alexis Ritchey, Doug Shattuck and Debra Wanger.

Single tickets for SDMT's production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC are $26.00, $36.00, $46.00 and $56.00. Children 16 years and under receive a $10 discount. Seniors 65 years and older receive a $5.00 discount. Equity and Actor's Alliance may purchase up to 2 tickets at half price. Groups of 10 or more receive a 25% discount. For individual or group tickets contact the Administrative Office at 858-560-5740 or visit SDMT online at www.sdmt.org.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC show times are Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m..

The Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Avenue, San Diego, Calif. There is street parking and a parking structure across the street from the theatre. For more information and tickets call the San Diego Musical Theatre Administrative Office at 858-560-5740. The San Diego Musical Theatre Administrative Office is located at 4652 Mercury Street, San Diego, Calif. Box Office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed from 1pm-2pm), Monday through Thursday. Open 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Fridays.

San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) is an award-winning, nonprofit theater company that seeks to bring vibrant musical theatre to the San Diego community. The mission of SDMT is to impact audiences by producing a range of classic and contemporary musical productions that engage and enhance the overall theatre experience. By partnering with professional actors, musicians, and technicians SDMT infuses momentum and energy into one of the only true American art forms. SDMT's vision is to create an environment where high-quality musical theatre thrives in San Diego for generations to come. San Diego Musical Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

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