The Yardley Players Open THE SOUND OF MUSIC Tonight

The Yardley Players present one of the world's most beloved musicals, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Dates and times are Fridays, May 3 and 10 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, May 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays, May 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on May 3. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

The hills are alive with the sound of music whenever Maria is around. Proving too high-spirited for religious life, Maria is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval officer, Captain von Trapp. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generous spirit, clash with the Captain, his fiancée, and finally the Nazis who seize power of her Austrian homeland.

Based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, the original Broadway production opened in 1959 and has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then. It was adapted as a 1965 film musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, winning five Academy Awards.

For this production, art imitates life for Elizabeth Rzasa, who plays Maria in the show and also works as a teaching assistant in the Music program at Mercer County Community College. A Lawrenceville resident, Rzasa also serves as the musical coordinator for the college's Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops, a summer program for teens.

"I'm so excited to be able to take my passion for teaching music and transform it into the role of Maria on stage," Rzasa said. "I'm sure this will be a really fun and memorable experience for me."

The production also features David Tapp of Newtown, PA, as Captain von Trapp; Patricia Curley of Ambler, PA, as Liesl von Trapp; Noah Tapp of Newtown, PA, as Friedrich von Trapp; Kimmy Graham of Yardley, PA, as Louisa von Trapp; Nick Torchia of Langhorne, PA, as Kurt von Trapp; Anna Grace Rosenthal of Philadelphia, PA, as Brigitta von Trapp; Ella Zalot of Levittown, PA, as Marta von Trapp; Shealyn Davis of Newtown, PA, as Gretl von Trapp; Walter Smyth of Trevose, PA, as Max Detweiler; Marge Swider of Langhorne, PA, as Mother Abbess; Maureen Hackett of Robbinsville as Elsa Schrader; Brent Tuccillo of Hamilton as Rolf Gruber; Stacy Danka of Allentown as Sister Bertha; Amy Zalot of Levittown, PA, as Sister Margareta; Abby Oliver of Hamilton as Sister Sophia; Kevin Hallam of Hamilton as Franz; and Pam Booth of Belle Mead as Frau Schmidt.

Ensemble cast members include Mary Chamberlain of Levittown, PA, Brian Davis of Newtown, PA, Maryrose Dipierro of Hamilton, Charmaine Ellis of Yardville, Carol Feinstein of East Windsor, Jennifer Fisher of Hamilton, Justin Ghaffoor of Hamilton, Meredith Ginsburg of Lawrenceville, Nicholas Kianka of Hamilton Square, Zach Latino of Moorestown, Taylor Lloyd of Hamilton, Adam Nicolai of Plainsboro, Gene Pullen of New Egypt, Joshua Ramos of Hamilton, Dan Scieszka of Princeton, Charlotte Singh of Princeton Junction, Bridget Sweeney of Hamilton, Ed Szemis of West Windsor, Mike Torchia of Langhorne, PA, Mandy Triolo of Skillman, Andrew Wahby of Hamilton, Patty Walsh of Holland, PA, Julia Weingaertner of Princeton Junction, and Wayne Wood of Fairless Hills, PA.

The show is directed by Marge Swider of Langhorne, PA, with musical direction by Pat Masterson of Lambertville and Matt South of Levittown, stage management by Michael DiIorio of Hamilton, choreography by Laura Murey-Ghaffoor of Hamilton, costumes by Louisa Murey of Hamilton, set design by Michael Almstedt of Mercerville, and lighting design by M. Kitty Getlik of Hamilton.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students and children. For tickets, call the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at (609) 570-3333, or visit www.kelseytheatre.net. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.