What destroyed one destiny ultimately built another in the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein love story, "The Sound of Music."

The Orangeburg Part-Time Players will bring Capt. von Trapp, Fraulein Maria and the seven von Trapp children to life as it presents the timeless musical Fridays through Sundays, Nov. 9-18, at the BlueBird Theatre in downtown Orangeburg.

Last performed by the group in 1993, "The Sound of Music" will mark the group's 100th regular season show and the last show of its 27th season.

Directed by Michael Crawford, with musical direction by Kay Crawford and choreography by Tamalyn Blackman, the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II hit -- based on the book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse -- tells the uplifting tale of the von Trapp family. It has become one of the most successful and beloved Oscar-winning film musicals of all time.

"We have done a lot of research on the von Trapp family, and we're trying to portray it as true to what they were as we can and still maintain the fun musical that everybody loves," Michael Crawford said. "What people need to realize is that this is the Broadway play. While all the music (from the 1965 movie version starring Julie Andrews) is in it, it's not necessarily in the same place."

The musical tells the story of a young Austrian woman training to become a Roman Catholic nun. She is sent to serve as governess to the seven children of Capt. von Trapp, a widower and a World War I decorated captain in the Austro-Hungarian Navy. While the children are initially hostile and mischievous toward Maria, they come to like her, and Maria and the Captain form a special bond as well.

Some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage include "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Edelweiss," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "The Lonely Goatherd" and the title song, "The Sound of Music." More than a dozen such titles will keep audience members humming along for the duration of the show.

Portraying the leads in the OPTP production of "The Sound of Music" are Kim Whitesides as Maria, George Barlow as Georg von Trapp, LeeAnna Wilson at Elsa Shraeber, Daryl Cate as Max Detweiler and Dianne Lawson as Mother Abbess. Playing the von Trapp children are Shelbie Holbrook as Liesl, Matthew Bates as Freidrich, Satin MacIntosh at Louisa, Ron Hair as Kurt, Carly Harward as Brigitta, Emma Hamel as Marta and Lauren Benton as Gretl.

Crawford said rehearsals are going well.

"I'm very impressed with the singing and the acting, especially with the children -- with everybody," he said. "There are goose-bump moments already, and we're still two weeks away."

Tickets are going fast, Crawford said, and those wanting to see the production should purchase them soon. In the event the show sells out, however, Crawford said performances will be added.

"This is a very popular show, and it's going to be a fun show for everyone who comes to see it," he said. "They're going to love it."

Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children 16 and under and seniors 55 and older. Shows are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. For more information or tickets, call the BlueBird Theatre at 803-536-5454 or ticket manager Jacqueline Skubal at 803-531-3548.

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.