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Opening night for the play is Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 8 p.m. in the school auditorium. Other show times are Friday, Aug. 15, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 16, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m.; and Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 8 p.m.

This play is the original Rodgers and Hammerstein play that won a Tony for best musical in 1960. The movie version of The Sound of Music was chosen as the best picture in 1965, starring Julie Andrews.

The familiar story features the von Trapp family and the nuns of the Nonnberg Abbey, including Maria, who becomes the governess for the seven von Trapp children.

Captain von Trapp and Maria fall in love and get married but soon their family's happiness is threatened as Nazi Germany completes its Anschluss (unification) with Austria and Captain von Trapp is ordered to join the Third Reich's navy. Instead, the family flees their beloved Austria for neighboring Switzerland, a neutral country.

Sharon Bergman will play Maria and David Wilke will play Captain von Trapp in the community theater production, which is being directed by Ian Pelton. Tryouts were held for the play in June, and rehearsals - five nights per week - began in July.

The musical features a dozen songs, including a couple songs that were not in the movie version. Familiar songs include "The Sound of Music," "My Favorite Things," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "So Long, Farewell," and "Edelweiss."

The play will be presented in two acts with an intermission, running at least two hours in length.

The community theater received a $3,000 grant for this theater production, which was needed to stage such a well-known musical. Just royalties and the script rental cost $2,000. The grant enabled ticket prices to be kept relatively low, and the hope is that the community theater can make a profit from this production that will help stage future productions.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 years of age and younger. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at Paynesville SuperValu, Joel's Family Foods, Community First Bank, Farmers and Merchants State Bank, and the Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union.

Reserved seating (in the lower, center section) is available by calling Colleen Pelton at 320-243-7221.

Show Times
In the school auditorium
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16, 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 17, 2 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m.

Cast of Characters
The Sound of Music
Maria: Sharon Bergman
Captain von Trapp: David Wilke
The Mother Abbess: Susan Walther
Sister Berthe: Carolyn Swyter
Sister Margaretta: April Mathias
Sister Sophia: Cahlean Klenke
Nun: Carol Heitke
Franz the Butler: Dick Butler
Frau Schmidt: Sami Tierney
Liesl: Lindsey Pelton
Friedrich: Peder Thompson
Louisa: Caitlin Lien
Kurt: Andrew Swenson
Brigitta: Emily Mehr
Marta: Jackie Jo Skoglund
Gretl: Teirrah Syvertson
Rolf Gruber: Joshua Williquette
Elsa Schrader: Sheila Merrill
Ursula: Paula Geier
Max Dettweiler: Jim Beckstrand
Herr Zeller: John Merrill
Baron Elberfeld: Steve Swenson
Director: Ian Pelton
Musical Director: Charlene Strand
Accompanists: Amy Syvertson and Cindy Zimmerman
Sound Technician: Amanda Halvorson
Stage Manager: Jenn Terres
Assistant choreographer: Sami Tierney

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