The High School is Alive with the Sound of Music

Grab your lederhosen and head to the this weekend for their production of "The Sound of Music."

Rehearsals have been underway for several weeks and the cast and crew are getting ready for the upcoming production which will be performed this weekend: April 8, 9 and 10, with a total of four performances including two matinees on Saturday and Sunday to accommodate all.  

Traditionally, the shows chosen at Shrewsbury High School have been a bit more current. But this year, the process of selecting a show was done a little bit differently and many conversations took place with the production staff to determine a show for that would work for the students.

“There were many different ideas that came from that," said Bonnie Narcisi, K-12 director of music and theater. "We were very conscious of what the audience’s reaction would be. I can tell you already that the potential audience reaction in town is very positive. I have been asked repeatedly when tickets will become available.”

The town of Shrewsbury has always been wonderful about supporting musical theater in all of the grades. This show has students from the high school as well as both middle school students from grades 5 through 8. There are 65 students in the cast, 30 tech crewmembers and about 12 to 15 playing in the orchestra.

The Von Trapp family will be played by a mix of very new and seasoned actors who are working very well together. Trina Parks (Maria) plays a bit of guitar, which works well with the show. Both she and Brendan Freeman (Captain Von Trapp) are seniors. The eldest member of the Von Trapp family is Liesl, played by Erica Johnson, a senior.

The rest of the Von Trapp family includes:

Friedrich, played by Ryan Bieals, Grade 8.

Luisa, played by Jessica Hanam, Grade 9.

Brigitta, played by Julie Rezuke, a senior.

Kurt, played by Matthew Freeman, Grade 7.

Marta, played by Curly O’Brien in Grade 6.

Gretl, played by Amanda Shea, Grade 5.

And rounding out the cast is:

Rolfe, played by David Audet, a junior.

Mother Abbess, played by Luisa Ramirez-Flynn

Max, played by Matthew Beckstrom, a junior.

Elsa Schreader, played by Meg Murphy.  

The students have been rehearsing four times each week to get ready for the show. There are 12 scenes in the first act and seven scenes in the second act. In addition, there are numerous costume changes.

“The challenge is to have all of this rolling along smoothly from scene to scene. It’s a lot more challenging to do on stage than it is in the movie,” Narcisi said.

Martha Dering is in charge of costumes and does a meticulous job with the sewing and fitting of each performer. Nathan Colby is the technical director and is also heading up the set design and construction. He is a former graduate of Shrewsbury High.

Kira Cowan, also a former Shrewsbury High School graduate, is the assistant director/choreographer. Michael Lapomardo is the musical director and teaches at SHS.

“I expect this to be an extremely aesthetically pleasing production. I think this play is a wonderful classic, and I know it will be a wonderful production. The music is terrific with these wonderful ballads and frolicking numbers. The audience is in for a treat,” Narcisi said.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students. Advanced tickets are available for purchase in the lobby of the high school from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 8. Performances of the play will take place on Friday April 8 at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 9 at 1 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 10 at 1 p.m., at the Shrewsbury High School auditorium.

Tickets can also be reserved by emailing musictickets@shrewsbury.k12.ma.us or by calling the Box Office at 508.841.8300, ext. 1088.