July 13 through 30, 2005
Martinez, CA. July 1, 2005.
The East Bay Foothills and sparkling waters of the Carquinez Strait are the
perfect backdrop for a large-scale outdoor production of the classic musical
The Sound of Music, the centerpiece of the 2005 John Muir
Festival, presented by the Willows Theatre Company. With music by
Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by
Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse based on “The Story of the Trapp
Family Singers” by Maria Augusta von Trapp, The Sound of Music
tells the timeless tale of the original singing nun, Maria, and her
adventures with the seven von Trapp children and their stern, but
affectionate, father, Captain von Trapp, in the pre-World War II Austrian
Alps. Marsha Mercant and Lee Strawn will star, with direction
by Andrew Holtz.
The Sound of Music
performs July 13-30, Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 P.M. at
the John Muir Amphitheater in the Martinez Waterfront Park, foot of
Ferry Street, Martinez, CA. There is also an additional performance
Sunday, July 17 at 8 p.m. Free parking is available, and the grounds are open
for picnicking at 6 p.m.
The final collaboration between Rodgers &
Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. When a
postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched
to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her
growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit,
gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon
returning from their honeymoon they discover that Austria has been invaded
by the Nazis, who demand the Captain's immediate service in their navy. The
family's narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World
War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever
presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most
popular movie musical of all time.
The Sound of Music
opened on Broadway starring Mary Martin on
November 16, 1959, played for 1,443 performances and won 8 Tony®
Awards including Best Musical, Book and Score. The 1965 film version,
starring Julie Andrews, garnered 5 Academy® Awards, including
Best Picture, and held the record for the highest grossing film for 7
years. The timeless score features such memorable tunes as “My Favorite
Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain”
and the title song. The Willows production will also incorporate two
numbers written by Richard Rodgers specifically for the film: “I Have
Confidence” and “Something Good.”
The Wall Street Journal said of the 1998
Broadway revival:
"A splendid, entertainment . . . You realize
what masters Rodgers & Hammerstein were."
Marsha Mercant*
will play the role of the original singing nun, Maria. Ms. Mercant created the role
of Louie Strentzel, wife of naturalist John Muir, in the signature John Muir
Festival production John Muir’s Mountain Days (which will play
August 4-7, 2005 featuring Ms. Mercant). Ms. Mercant starred in the 1st
National Companies of Cats and Les Miserables, and
locally has appeared with the Willows Theatre Company, Center Rep, 42nd
Street Moon, and most recently at Marin Theatre Company with her multi-award
winning performance as Liza in Lady In the Dark which she reprised
later in Beijing, China in the first-ever American musical produced in the
People’s Republic of China.
Lee Strawn*
will portray Austrian military captain Georg von Trapp. Mr. Strawn is known
locally for his award-winning portrayal of the title character in John
Muir’s Mountain Days (which he will reprise August 4-7). A
performer accomplished in both musical theater in opera, he has also been
seen in the record-shattering run of The Phantom of the Opera in San
Francisco, as well as productions with TheatreWorks of Palo Alto, American
Musical Theatre of San Jose, San Francisco Shakespeare Company, Sierra
Repertory Theatre, Pocket Opera and the San Francisco Opera.
The seven young von Trapp family children will
be portrayed by Madeline Trumble (Liesl), Ben Freeman
(Friedrich), Emily Trumble and Melanie Massoud (Louisa),
Daniel Lachman and Andrew Moorhead (Kurt), Alissa Anderegg
(Brigitta), Katy Corbus (Marta), and Amanda Neiman (Gretl).
Lucia Scardigno
will be featured as the Mother Abbess, Jonathan Spencer will portray
musical impresario Max Detweiler, and Scarlett Hepworth appears as
the Baroness Elsa Schraeder. Jesse Endahl will be seen as Liesl’s
young suitor Rolf Gruber, with Stu Klitsner* as German Admiral von
Schreiber and Jon M. Marshall* as German sympathizer Herr Zeller.
Barbara McFadden will play von Trapp housekeeper Frau Schmidt, with
Eric Neiman as Baron Elberfeld, Amy Neiman as gentle Sister
Margaretta, Anna Albanese as impressionable Sister Sophia and
Sarah Rozett as stern Sister Berthe.
The large nun’s chorus includes Pamela Bayer
(Concord), Consuelo Bennett (Pleasant Hill), Sarah Blogg
(Concord), Lynne Chapman (Concord), Pat Corr (Martinez),
Laura Fischer (Concord), Tammy Fong (Martinez), Chantal
Guyette (Walnut Creek), Angel Hamon (Pleasant Hill), Ruth
Kaiser (Lafayette), Juanita Machado (Martinez), Gail Madueno
(Novato), Kristie Maloney (Antioch), Katharine McFadden
(Fairfield), Jenny Mosley (Concord), Lori Rogala (Walnut
Creek), Toni Thomas (Danville), Natalie Thompson (Walnut
Creek), Stacy Trevenon (Half Moon Bay),
Michèle Voillequé (Berkeley)
and Nancy Watkins (Walnut Creek).
David Hardie
(Antioch), Sean Keehan (Concord) and Doug Mallon (Half Moon
Bay) round out the cast. Peter Crompton designed the scenery, with
costumes by Loran Watkins, properties and set dressing by Shaun
Carroll and Judy Potter, lighting by Jon Retsky and
choreography by Sheri Stockdale. Andrew Holtz directs and
musical directs, and Chris Butler* is production stage manager.
*Member, Actors' Equity Association
###
The John Muir Summer Festival
is a co-production of the City of Martinez and the Willows Theatre Company,
with major funding from the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation. Production
sponsors include US Bank, Wells Fargo Foundation, Union Bank of California,
Kinder-Morgan Corporation, ChevronTexaco, and See’s Candies.
