The Cuyahoga Heights High School auditorium will be transformed into the Austrian Alps with the performance of the iconic musical, “The Sound of Music” at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday April 8-9. “It is shaping up to be a great production and we are looking forward to performing for the community,” said Director and Orchestra Teacher David Michaels.
With music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, the musical is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. “The Sound of Music” debuted on Broadway in 1959 featuring memorable melodies, including, "Edelweiss", "My Favorite Things", " Climb Ev'ry Mountain", "Do-Re-Mi", and the title song, "The Sound of Music".
Set in Austria on the eve of the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany (Anschluss) in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria Rainer, a young woman who takes a job as governess while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children and their widowed father, Captain von Trapp, an officer in the Royal Navy. He is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide to flee Austria with the children.
The CHHS version of “The Sound of Music” will debut with the following cast members:
- Maria Rainer (A postulant at Nonnberg Abbey) - Urja Chauhan
- Sister Berthe (Nun) - Erin Decka
- Sister Margaretta (Nun) - Hannah Jasany
- Mother Abbess (Nun)- Noelle Revay
- Sister Sophia - Anna Novak
- Captain Von Trapp - (A retired Austrian Naval Captain)- Aidan Hooven
- Franz (the Von Trapp Butler) - A.J. Kurta
- Frau Schmidt (the Von Trapp housekeeper) - Ava Kmetz
- Rolf Gruber (Telegram Delivery Boy, later Nazi Soldier) - Stosh Skoczen
- Elsa Schroeder (A Baroness) - Alice Revay
- Ursula (the Maid)- Camden Connell
- Max Detweiler (The Children’s Uncle) - David Collins
- Herr Zeller (Nazi Official) - Mars Young
- Baroness Elberfeld (Proud Austrian - Anna Novak
- Frau Zeller (Herr Zeller’s wife) - Laurel Gosnell
- New Postulant - Mars Young
- Admiral Von Schreiber (Admiral of the German Navy) - Emmanuel Loizos
The Von Trapp Family Children:
- Liesl (Age 16 - Sammy Caleris
- Friedrich (Age 14) - Sean Strahan
- Louisa (Age 13)- Zoe Revay
- Kurt (Age 10) - Jameison Kammerer
- Brigitta (Age 9) - Riley Kruzer
- Marta (Age 7)- Audrey Morway
- Gretl (Age 6)- Denny Morway
- Camden Connell, Laurel Gosnell, Akzell Patz, Erin Decka, AJ Kurta, Mars Young, Anna Novak, Ava Kmetz, Julia Havlin, Isabella Melendez, Nate Melendez, Suellyn Crook, and Jayden Lamont.
“There will also be a cameo appearance by Assistant Superintendent Matt Young,” added Michaels.
In addition to being directed by Michaels, the show is assistant directed by Katelyn Nolan, music directed by Mary Schroeder, choreographed by Joli Oliver, and assistant choreographed by Yalixa Rodriguez. Joseph Michaels is overseeing scene design and construction with construction assistants Anne Pesta and Peyton Oliver. Tracy Deal is handling artwork for the show and Jaime Sane is the propmaster. Stage Managers are Sarah Youngless and Becca Schuester. Amy Ellis is handling lighting. Alice Revay is serving as Student Assistant Director and Sammy Caleris is the Production Manager.