Backstage Players Company will present the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music on stage at Andrews Memorial Theater at Clinton Town Hall, 54 East Main St., beginning Thursday, March 27 at 7:00 pm, Friday, March 28 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, March 29 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and Sunday, March 30 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
The Sound of Music will be our company’s Main Stage production for 2014 and represents our ten-year anniversary. Backstage Players has presented 12 musical productions in the last ten years, all successful, but none as successful as last year’s Main Stage production of Annie.
“We sold out four out of the five shows and had to turn people away at the door for Annie,” said BPC president, Ed Hobson. “That’s primarily why we’ve added a sixth show on Sunday night. We expect The Sound of Music to do very well and time will tell whether or not the additional Sunday show will be successful.”
The Sound of Music will be directed by Jim Kane, a Backstage Players veteran, who has appeared in featured roles in three BPC productions and worked on the technical side of several others. Jim is the owner/operator, producer/director of Swing Bridge Arts Alliance, a well-established theater company, based in East Haddam. Jim has a degree in Theater from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Ed Hobson will serve as Jim’s assistant director, as well as business manager. BPC board of directors member Jeri Minutillo will produce the show. Board of directors member, Mark Gilchrist will be the marketing and advertising director. The great maestro, Alan Dougherty, returns to Backstage Players as music director. Sharon Shoemaker and Maki Kelly will assume set designer and stage manager responsibilities, respectively. Jen Doraz will be our house manager.
Interest in The Sound of Music has been unprecedented, with over 140 candidates auditioning. The cast selected is arguably the most talented ever for a Backstage Players production. BPC newcomer, but area theater stalwart, Allison Mohler headlines the cast as Maria. Mark Gilchrist comes off of his award-winning portrayal of “Daddy Warbucks” to co-star as Captain Georg Von Trapp.
“Allison and Mark are simply two of the best actors and singers in Connecticut,” said Hobson. “I have had the privilege of working with both of them separately on multiple occasions. They have never worked together. They will be explosive.”
Another BPC newcomer, Sandy Anagnostakis is wonderful as Mother Abbess and her fellow sisters of Nonnberg Abbey will fill the theater with enchanting choral music. The balance of the cast, including adult featured actors, Von Trapp children through the ensemble were carefully selected to give The Sound of Music a consistent and memorable feel. The audience will leave singing.
Tickets will be available soon. Buy them early. It makes us very unhappy to have to turn people away as we did for Annie. The best deal on tickets will be to purchase them in advance from any cast member at $15.00 all purpose (children and adult). They are also available in advance on this site through PayPal at $18.00 adult / $15.00 children and seniors. Additionally, they are available for advanced purchase at area retailers (RJ Julia, Madison / Breakwater Books, Guilford / Sachem Card & Party, Guilford / Malone’s Coffee Shop, Clinton and The Little Store, North Guilford) at $18.00 and $15.00, as well. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20.00 and $17.00. Tickets are night-specific and seating is first-come, first-served.
The cast list follows:
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