The cast and crew are busy preparing for the opening of the February 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 production of “The Sound of Music,” this season’s winter musical at the Marion Palace Theatre.
Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $17 and $20, with a $10 ticket for children ages 10 and younger.
Directed by Greg Patterson, the musical was cast in November and has been in rehearsal since that time. Don Wolfe serves as both set designer and assistant director. April Short is the director’s assistant. Kristi Wink and Carol Becker are handling choreography and vocal rehearsals, and Rick Baird directs the orchestra for this production. Barb Yaksic is stage manager, and Susan Wenig is the wardrobe mistress.
Desiring to provide as many as possible the opportunity to shine on stage, Patterson has double cast many of the lead roles. The artistic team has divided the actors into teams that will share time in the spotlight.
“Over the years I have found so much young talent in Marion that I felt that we couldn't limit ourselves to just one cast of the Von Trap kids. We have put together two sets of the children with delightful effect. Each child actor brings a special interpretation to the production,” explained Patterson.
“Consistent with this we have two local talents to play Maria. Each young lady brings a distinctive presentation to the role. Each is charming, and it will make you want to come the next night to see the other cast.”
The Palace production of The Sound of Music will feature the following as principle characters:
- Maria -- Megan Withrow and Keitha Voorheis-Sturgeon
- Captain -- Doug Browell
- Max -- Brad Bebout
- Baroness -- Miranda Hinton
- Housekeeper -- Sharon Patterson
- Franz -- Kevin Orth
- Mother Superior -- Carol Becker
- Rolf -- Sean Smith
- Liesl -- Charlotte Baird and Emily Springer
- Fredrick -- Daniel Short and Nicholas Heimlich
- Louisa -- Elyssa Hurley and Aubree Clase
- Kurt -- Nikolas Petrovski and Austin Smith
- Bergitta -- Sadie Wink and Audrey Watkins
- Marta -- Lorna Patterson and Boston Osborne
- Gretel -- Annie Bell and Brooklyn Church
The Nun chorus is comprised of the following: Kelly Culler, Stephanie Miller, Jennifer Ruhlen, Linda Hurley, Claudia Fetter, Linda Fargo, Emily Patterson, Angela Mack, Marianne Allen, Veronica Dooley, Emilee Lester, Cori Osborne, Anastasia Smith, Mary Lewis, Eden Smock, Courtney Dooley, Cappi Pulido, Karellyn Holston, Jayma Voorheis, Emily Bell, Shelby Greashaber, Megan Hernandez, Brianne Leavitt, Anna Hurley, Patsy Dow, and Dori Traynham.
Rounding out the cast are the soldiers, which include: Todd Patterson, Daniel Spafford, Dave Claborn, Mark Noel, Hal Clase, Adam Giles, Ryan Swartz, Danny Drew, Benton Graff, Matt Meade, Pete Lux, Geoffry Baird, Dylan Johnson, Brock Blinn and Paul Culler.
Tickets are available online at www.marionpalace.org, by phone at 740/383-2101 or at the box office 270 W. Center Street in Downtown Marion. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Whirlpool Corp. sponsors this event.
