CAHS student musical begins March 5

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the “Sound of Music,” and Cheboygan Area High School, CAHS, students have been rehearsing since January for their production of the musical at the Cheboygan Opera House March 5-8. The play follows the story of would-be nun Maria, whose superiors, at their wits' end over her flightiness, send her to work as a governess for an Austrian naval captain with seven children. The production features such memorable music as “Do Re Me,” “The Sound of Music,” and “My Favorite Things,” and is based on the true life story of Maria and Georg Von Trapp, who fled Austria during the rise of Adolph Hitler's regime by crossing the mountains into Switzerland. Midge Shaw, director, said the students have been preparing hard for the upcoming production, with this weeks rehearsals focusing on fine-tuning their performance. “Rehearsals are exciting this week as we add the orchestra, costumes, sets, props, lighting and sound,” said Shaw. Caitlin Williams heads the cast, playing Maria, with David Neph playing the role of Georg Von Trapp. Amy Wallace, Brandy Clymer, Anne Claire Sangster, Rachel Kurtz, Hayley Carson and Daniel Neph, along with the Von Trapp children Haley Stempky, Jack Olsen, Kylie Bushman, Davy Easter, Gabrielle Stempky, Madison VanAntwerp and Aurora Raey Custard round out the cast. Costumes have been designed by Nancy Van- Antwerp, and Shaw said they are one of the highlights of the production. “It was a monumental task. The Van Trapp children alone have eight costume changes, 56 costumes in all, not to mention Maria with 10, along with the rest of the cast. Nancy even made rosaries for the nuns,” said Shaw. Maxine Currie and Douglas Robinson are assistant directors for the performance, and Jo Cooley is the choreographer. Kevin Wells directs the nuns chorus, and Jim Currie will conduct the orchestra. The sets were designed by Marshall Beck and Dennis Despain, and were constructed by the pair along with Dan McPherson. Michele Ackerman, Theresa Gowell, Steve Brisson, McPherson Beck, Despain and CAHS students will handle the back-stage duties. This is the wonderful part of our productions, the community and students working together to bring this performance to our audiences,” said Shaw. The production will run March 5-7 at 7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee March 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door, and are on sale at the Cheboygan Opera House Box Office.