BY MAREK KRASUSKI
Dramatic instincts, solid musicianship and youthful exuberance
promise to set the tone and direction of Rogers and
Hammerstein's classic, The Sound Of Music. This is the first
time the Sudbury Secondary School's arts education program will
stage this performance. Described as a "chestnut" piece, it was
chosen to provide as many opportunities for the greatest number
of students, according to producer/director Alison Witty.
"I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to showcase the
students' voices," she said.
About 50 students will perform this rendition featuring an
all female chorus.
The challenge in meeting viewers' expectations of a cast popularized in the film version starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer is ever present. But the arts education program is marshalling all its talent to stage an effective delivery.
Alex Carter and Kandace Mantysaari play the respective leading
roles of the rigid, disciplinarian Captain Von Trapp, and the
aspiring nun, Maria, governess at the Von Trapp residence.
Carter and Mantysaari bring their previous acting experience to
these challenging roles, having previously starred in a Mid
Summer's Night Dream and Guys and Dolls.
Viewers can expect the principal roles to be distinguished
by the unique personalities of the actors.
"Kandace has an impish quality that enables her to take
things at face value, so she brings an innocence to the role,"
explained Witty.
Organizing a cast of 50 teenage characters and manipulating
hand-painted drops that rise and fall into place is a
choreographic challenge, and one made more difficult by an
orchestra located out of sight high above the stage in the fly
gallery.
Under the direction of music teacher Caroline Otto, the 15
piece orchestra hopes to deliver a surround sound instrumental
backdrop to the many familiar songs.
Witty also lauded the set design team for creating superb
background drops. Donations of antique furnishings from the
business community help create the ambient mood of the
period.
The Thursday Nov. 23rd performance features a sing-a-long
program in which the audience is encouraged to participate.
This modern classic comes to life on the stage of the
Sheridan Auditorium Nov. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 at 7.30 pm. A
matinee performance runs Sunday Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at Black Cat Too, Jeff Landry Music, Classic Finds Antiques and the main office of Sudbury Secondary School. For ticket information, phone 674-7551.
