Actors and Artists of Fayette County presents 'The Sound of Music'
Rehearsals for the "Sound of Music" are coming along splendidly although the musical was not the original choice of director Tricia Rohlf.
The production will be presented by the Actors and Artists of Fayette County at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale on July 8, 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and July 11 at 2:30 p.m.
Earlier this year Rohlf and her husband, Michael, had looked at directing "West Side Story" for their summer production, but events out of their control did not allow that to happen.
"Right now, the rights to that play are frozen since Broadway has currently taken that show on tour," Tricia Rohlf said. "The board of directors with Actors and Artists suggested the 'Sound of Music,' and because I have played Maria six times and a nun once, I know it very well."
Her husband has also played Captain Von Trapp three times.
"It always helps when you're familiar with a show, and although it may appear simple, it's very involved, which is a challenge," Tricia Rohlf said.
From there the challenges kept presenting themselves, though.
"When you do community theater, you want to have the people filling the parts as close to the characters' ages as possible. However, because this is the summer theater season, we had a lot of young people come out to the auditions and not a lot of the older crowd," she said.
Filling the leads for the musical are from the young to late teens and early 20s. There are a few older individuals taking on the roles of some nuns and side characters.
"I'm used to directing high school productions and making younger individuals play older roles, so it really hasn't been that difficult -- I've been pleasantly surprised," Tricia Rohlf said.
In fact, for the younger age of the cast, the caliber of talent has been amazing, she added. "All four of our main nuns have played the leads in their high school musicals and four of the Von Trapp children have trained at the CLO Academy in Pittsburgh. It's truly amazing the talent that I have to work with here."
Brad Geyer, president of the theater's board of directors, said he has always been impressed with the talent of the students who audition for the shows.
"We have students who were leads in their high school plays and musicals who are playing minor characters in this production because they're willing to work for the love of the show regardless of the part," he said.
He also credited the Rohlfs for their hard work and for their casting of the show.
"The Rohlfs have an understanding of community theater that few do and they've expanded the ensemble to incorporate anyone who came to audition, and that's the heart of community theater," Geyer said.
Tricia Rohlf said she is very pleased with where they are at in rehearsals at this point and said the musical will be very magical and will touch the audience at all the right moments.
"I will consider this show a success when I see people in the audience crying, laughing and getting engaged with what's going on on stage," she said.
For those who are looking for a complete night out, the theater is partnering again with Miss Martha's Tea Room on Pittsburgh Street in Scottdale, for dinner and a show.
For one ticket price of $25 per person, patrons can enjoy dinner at the tea room as well as a ticket to the show. A special dinner menu will be put together and individuals will have their choice of a tossed salad or soup du jour, choice of an entree and a dessert.
It is recommended reservations for dinner be made no later than 6 p.m. A voucher for the theater ticket will be given at dinner. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 724-887-6574.
Those interested in just attending the show can get tickets at the door for $11 each.
For more information or questions on the show, call the theater at 724-887-0887.
