Ordway Presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC

This holiday season, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is excited to present Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, Dec. 10-Jan. 2. Tickets for the Ordway produced family classic start at $37 and can be purchased online at www.ordway.org, by phone at 651-224-4222 or in-person at the Ordway ticket office.

Inspired by the lives of the real von Trapp family, The Sound of Music tells the uplifting story of Maria, a fun-loving governess who changes the lives of the widowed Captain von Trapp and his seven children by re-introducing them to music, culminating in the family's escape from the Nazis across the mountains from Austria. The unforgettable score includes some of the most famous songs ever performed on stage, including "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss," "Do-Re-Mi" and the title song, "The Sound of Music."

The cast features Billie Wildrick as Maria Rainer, Dieter Bierbrauer as Captain Georg von Trapp, James Detmar as Max Detwiler, Kersten Rodau as Elsa Schraeder, Janet Hayes Trow as Sister Berthe, Susan Hofflander as Sister Sophia, Wendy Lehr as Frau Schmidt, Dee Noah as Sister Margaretta, Tod Petersen as Franz, Matthew Rubbelke as Rolf Gruber and Tammy Hensrud as Mother Abbess.

The production features all local actors in the roles of the von Trapp children, including Caroline Innerbichler as Liesl, Quinn Morrissey as Friedrich, Bella Blackshaw as Louisa, Nate Turcotte as Kurt, Natalie Tran as Brigitta, Josephine Turk as Marta, and Chloe Lou Erickson and Mabel Weismann as Gretl.

Rounding out the cast are Lisa Bartholomew-Given, Kate Beahen, Debra Berger, JP Fitzgibbons, William Gilness, Elena Glass, Reid Harmsen, Elizabeth Hawkinson, Suzie Juul, Jill Sandager, Randy Schmeling and Carl Schoenborn.

"The Sound of Music is timeless-its music, characters and messages have resonated with audiences young and old since it originally premiered on Broadway in 1959," said James A. Rocco, Ordway's vice president of programming and producing artistic director. "Our production will remain true to the original stage production, bringing the warm, nostalgic story of Maria and the von Trapp family to the Ordway. It's the perfect family event for the holiday season."

Directed by local stage veteran Gary Briggle, The Sound of Music features music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The production's creative team includes Raymond Berg (musical direction), Kenneth Foy (scenic design), Lynda L. Salsbury (costume design), Zach Williamson (sound design), Don Darnutzer (lighting design), Robert A. Dunn (hair and make-up design) and Rick Polenek (props design).

The Sound of Music is sponsored by Bremer Bank. For tickets and more information, visit www.ordway.org.

ABOUT THE ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Music Theater and recently completed Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a charter high school with a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with the Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances. For more information, visit www.ordway.org.

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts - 30 years of presenting, producing and investing in the performing arts.

Tickets: www.ordway.org
Ticket Office: 651-224-4222
Groups: 651-282-3111 Billie Wildrick, Dieter Bierbrauer, James Detmar, Kersten Rodau, Janet Hayes Trow, Tammy Hensrud, Susan Hofflander, Caroline Innerbichler, Wendy Lehr, Dee Noah, Tod Petersen, Matthew Rubbelke, Bella Blackshaw, Chloe Lou Erickson, Quinn Morrissey, Natalie Tran, Nate Turcotte, Josephine Elizabeth Turk, Mabel Weismann, Lisa Bartholomew-Given, Kate Beahen, Debra Berger, JP Fitzgibbons, William Gilness, Elena Glass, Reid Harmsen, Elizabeth Hawkinson, Suzie Juul, Jill Sandager, Randy Schmeling, Carl Schoenborn