The Centre Theater Announces THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Thru 6/28

The Centre Theater proudly presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC through June 26th, in the fourth floor theater of the Montgomery County Cultural Center, 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown. Evening performances are on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Matinees on Sundays at 2 p.m.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC is the beloved musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein based on the memoir by Maria Von Trappe, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers." The play includes famous songs such as "Do-Re-Mi", "Lonely Goatherd", "Edelweiss", and "My Favorite Things" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical score.

The iconic musical is directed by Aileen McCulloch, of Morgantown, PA. McCulloch is Executive Director of the Vagabond Acting Troupe. She has also directed BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, OLIVER, and THUMBELINA at the Centre Theater. Featuring beautiful vocal arrangements of the original songs, with brilliant musical direction by Michael Kim, THE SOUND OF MUSIC will capture your heart once more.

Part of the Centre Theater's mission is to bring artistically rich pieces accessible for all ages. The Sound of Music is a wonder for audiences from ages 5 to 95.

Jeff Beideman of Glenmore, PA plays the mourning Captain Von Trappe, who hires
Maria as a governess of his seven children, played by Julia Tyminski as Liesl, Zach
Reynolds as Friedrich, Katie Gingrich as Louisa, Amadea Smith as Brigitta, RJ Napoli
as Kurt, Amia Shavaun as Marta, and Kelly Flynn as Gretl.

West Chester graduate Megan Pisors plays the enchanting and free spirited Maria Rainer, in her Centre Theater debut. With Maria's unconventional disposition, the seven Von Trapp children quickly become enamored with her. However, this clashes with Captain Von Trapp's orderly conduct. But it's not before too long that these two begin to see eye to eye.

Philadelphia's Claire Drake is returning from her performance as Mrs. Sowerberry in last year's hit OLIVER to play Frau Schmidt, alongside Captain Von Trappe's handy butler Franz, played by Ken Olin. Making her Centre Theater debut, Lindsay Mauck plays both Sister Berthe and Von Trappe's fiancé, Elsa Schraeder. In past productions of The Sound of Music, Mauck has played both Gretl and Brigitta, and now returns to portray older characters. She has performed at the Ritz Theatre and with the Philadelphia Theatre Company, as well as co-founded the Mauckingbird Theatre Company.

Also joining the cast is Debbie Schrager as Mother Abbess, Julie Bishop as Sister
Margheretta, Rachel Barg as Sister Sophia, and Liz Martinez as a New Postulant and
Ursula. Dorien Bell also joins the cast as Max Detweiller.

Willow Grove's Dave Morrison is returning to the Centre Theater after playing Bill Sikes in OLIVER to play the 17-year old Rolf, while also lending his musical talents to play guitar with the pit band.

The cast is rounded out by many regional actors and young people from the area. Some are graduates of The Centre Theater's acting programs. The production is a transition for them into the world of professional theatre.

Produced by Fran Doyle, with beautiful costume designs by Eileen Sheehan and set design by AnDrew Thompson, this is not a production you will want to miss.

The Centre Theater at the Montgomery County Cultural Center, located in downtown Norristown, provides affordable, quality professional theater and arts education. By providing quality programs we are bringing the arts to Norristown and the Greater Delaware Valley area.

The Centre Theater is one of the most critically acclaimed companies in the area for over fifteen years. The Philadelphia City Paper called the companies, The area's most underappreciated theater company. Receiving Barrymore nominations for a number of their productions the companies have also premiered seven plays in the past two years including "The Life of John Henry," Jeffrey Hatcher's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and "Molumby's Million." The Centre's musical theatre repertoire includes "High School Musical," "Oliver," "Man of LaMancha" and more. The Centre's recent Independent Voices Festival presented 22 nights of theatre by 11 regional companies. Working in collaboration with Iron Age Theatre, the Centre is planning a massive renovation of its theater and building. Phase Two of the capital development will include a new larger first floor venue for theatre and other performance.

The Centre Theater is in the Montgomery County Cultural Center at 208 DeKalb Street in Norristown. It is easily reached via routes 202, I-76, I-476 and Ridge Pike. There is plenty of free parking and the theater is one block from Septa's Norristown Transit Center on the Manayunk/Norristown line.

For tickets and more information call 610-279-1013 or purchase online anytime
www.thecentretheater.org