The theater is busy with multiple projects, as usual. This past weekend was opening weekend for “The Sound of Music”, with the show selling out all three performances. Tickets have sold so well that the show has been extended an additional weekend, December 8th, 9th and 10th. The cast is looking forward to these weeknights off as last week had two dress rehearsals and two dress rehearsals with an audience in addition to opening weekend.
Immediately following Sunday's matinee was the first night of “Sweet Charity” auditions, last night was the second. There were a number of contenders for the main characters of Charity, Nikki and Helene and the directors will have some difficult choices. Callbacks are tonight, but only for a few of the characters whose singing needs a second listen. The girls for the nightclub scene were shown a simple dance segment and they wowed the casting committee. After the cast is notified this week, rehearsals will start. In community theater, it’s always on with the next show!

-- posted by Margaret Barrasso

Music and Confidence
I visited the rehearsal of Sound of Music last night to see the nearly finished set and was treated to the blocking of “Confidence” sung by Maria (Lauren Yokabaskas). As she went through the new movements, I admired the borrowed stained glass windows, “stone work” and gingerbread details added recently. While this was happening on stage, the kids of Cast B and others were giggling in the lobby, doing their physical warm ups lead by Kristi McHugh. Lots of cha-cha-ing was going on!
Later in the lobby to I was able to listen to the nuns rehearse their final song of the show “The Sound of Music” reprise with Mother Abbess (Becky Michals Rinaldi) leading them through the many vocal parts. (A photo of the most of the nuns and postulates is below). Last show the majority of women played the wives, this time they’re sisters.

-- posted by Margaret Barrasso

Nuns: left to right
Susan Finch, Tracy Armitage, Missy Babineau, Becky Michals Rinaldi, Nancy Ladd, Janelle Kleftis, Kristi McHugh, Emily Akeley, Abbie Martin, Vanessa Kennedy and Colleen Erin Cole.