Ridgewood drama to present ‘The Sound of Music’
Maria (Trudy Oswald) comforts the Von Trapp children during a thunder storm in the Ridgewood High School production of “The Sound of Music” which will be performed April 7 – 9 at the high school. Beth Scott | Beacon
WEST LAFAYETTE – One of the most beloved classical Rogers and Hammerstein musicals is coming to life on the Ridgewood stage April 7 – 9. The Ridgewood drama department will present “The Sound of Music” at 7:30 p.m. April 7 – 8 and 2:30 p.m. April 9.
“We felt we had the talent for it,” said director Jill Collins. “It’s one of those classics that people grew up with and say it’s their favorite. It’s ‘The Sound of Music’. It can’t get much better than that.”
The play has about 40 members in cast and crew, including students from junior high and elementary school who play the Von Trapp children.
“When you watch the Von Trapp children sing, they’re just so happy and it just touches you when you see it,” said Collins.
Collins said that one of the challenges of putting on this play at Ridgewood is the limited backstage area to store props during the production.
“The art department has done a wonderful job with the set,” said Collins. “Mrs. Dickerson (high school art teacher) has been coming in on the weekends to work and paint.”
The story takes place in Austria in the 1930s and centers around Maria who has dreamed of becoming a nun her whole life, but as it turns out, she isn’t very good at it. When the opportunity arises to become a governess to the seven Von Trapp children, she takes the position and is soon not only winning the hearts of the children, but of their widowed father, Captain Von Trapp, as well. However, their happily ever after is threatened by the coming of war, and the fact that the captain is already engaged to a baroness.
“There’s a lot of different dynamics to her character,” said Trudy Oswald who plays Maria. “She has a very bubbly and lively character but she also has to have moments of seriousness throughout the play and trying to fit all of those emotions without really saying anything is definitely a new experience for me.”
The captain and Maria’s love for each other isn’t the only love interest in the play. The oldest daughter Liesl falls in love with Rolf, a young messenger, and they perform the popular, “When You’re Sixteen Going on Seventeen”. Liesl also sees it as her job to look after her six younger siblings.
“She’s really caring about her younger siblings,” said Rachele Perkins who plays Liesl. “When she first meets Maria, she’s really serious and doesn’t want to have a governess, but toward the middle of the play, she starts warming up to her. She’s really fun to play.”
Rander Brenneman plays one of the Von Trapp children.
“I like being able to perform in front of people,” he said. “I think it’s fun to get out and dance and have fun.”
Collins said the students have had to learn to waltz and fox trot for the musical.
“The students really enjoy it,” she said. “Most of the kids had already watched the movie when they came to audition and had lines memorized and even choreography steps for their audition.”
The students have put in many long hours after school to make this performance possible.
“I love getting to learn the songs,” said Kya Masloski who plays one of the Von Trapp children. “I like the long hours of practice because you get to be with friends and make more friends.”
Tickets for “The Sound of Music” can be pre-ordered by calling (740) 545-6345 or by emailing jill.collins@omeresa.net. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults. There is special group ticket pricing available.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
