THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Ballarat Lyric Theatre presents
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music by RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Book by HOWARD LINDSAY and RUSSEL CROUSE
Suggested by “the Story of the Trapp Family Singers”
“The Sound of Music” is presented by permission of ORiGiN™ Theatrical
on behalf of R&H Theatricals, A Concord Theatricals Company
Civic Hall Ballarat
30 June - 9 July, 2023
The final collaboration between Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, The Sound of Music, has become a musical beloved around the world. Many songs from the musical have become standards, including "Edelweiss", "My Favourite Things", "Climb Every Mountain", "Do-Re-Mi", and the title song "The Sound of Music". Based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers, this play captures a personal tale of growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II.
The Sound of Music tells the tale of young postulant Maria Rainer, whose free spirit has trouble fitting into the rules and regulations of Nonnberg Abbey. Commissioned by the Mother Abbess to serve as the governess for seven motherless children, Maria transforms the Von Trapp family home from a place of dour rules and regulations to one filled with joy, with laughter, and with music. In the process, Maria wins the hearts of all seven children--and their widower father, Captain Von Trapp.
With the Mother Abbess’ blessing, and to the children’s delight, Maria follows her heart, and Maria and the Captain marry. Upon returning home from their honeymoon, Maria and the Captain learn that their beloved Austria has been taken over by the Nazis, and the retired Captain is asked to report for immediate service in the Nazi Navy. When the Nazis show up at their door to take Captain Von Trapp away, it is a family singing engagement (wily navigated by their friend Max) that buys the family time to make their narrow escape.
Their Austrian convictions compel Maria, the Captain, and the children to flee over the mountains of Switzerland to safety, taking the words of the Mother Abbess to heart: “Climb Every Mountain… till you find your dream.”
CAST
Jenna Featherstone as Maria Rainer
David Sheludko as Captain Georg von Trapp
Rodgers Family
Taya Thiele
Ashton van Raaphorst
Mia Farrah
Johnathan Webster
Violet Jones
Gracie Bridges
Scarlett Sheludko
Liesl
Friedrich
Louisa
Kurt
Brigitta
Marta
Gretl
Hammerstein Family
Dana Reynolds
Elijah van Raaphorst
Matilda Jones
Liam Murphy
Anna Reynolds
Zoe Reynolds
Kira Lewis
Elsa Schraeder
Max Detweiler
The Mother Abbess
Sister Berthe
Sister Margaretta
Sister Sophia
Rolf
Oriel Forsyth
Callan Lewis (Understudy Captain von Trapp)
Anna Marshall
Maxine Montgomery (Understudy Mother Abbess)
Rachel Angee
Jessica Wilkinson
Joe Appleton
PRODUCTION TEAM
Executive Producer: Dr Michael Whitehead
Director: Stephen Armati
Musical & Choral Director: Gareth Grainger
Choreographer: Tori Heenan-Waters
Stage Manager & Set Design: Braydon McKinnon
Production Manager: Carly Reynolds
Lighting Design: Matthew Heenan
Audio Visual Design: Matthew Osborne
Sound Design: Aaron Rivett
Hair Design: Nikki McKinnon
Make Up Design: Cathy Heenan
Costume Design & Coordination: Leanne Westblade
Properties Manager: Marnie Bonell-Huy
Publicity Manager: Samantha Stobie
Ensemble
Alexander Western, Amanda Western, Ayla Williams, Bella Harper (Understudy Maria Rainer), Benj Beatty, Brandon Moore-Trye (Understudy Rolf), Caitlin Wessner, Caitlyn Harvey, Charlie McGinniss, Corey Hall (Herr Zeller), Ella Harrison (Understudy Liesl), Esther Batchelor, Grant Johnson, Hannah Matters, Isabelle Farrah, Katherine van Raaphorst, Laura Edmondson (Understudy Sister Berthe), Matthew Kaess (Understudy Max Detweiler/Baron Elberfeld), Paige Harrington, Paul Roberts, Phillip Howden, Samantha Stobie, Sophie Jones (Understudy Sister Sophia), Tess Kelly (Understudy Sister Margaretta).