REHEARSALS are underway as a community theatre company prepare to bring the much loved and iconic musical, The Sound of Music, to Chester's Storyhouse.
Tip Top Productions will stage the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical from Wednesday, August 2 to Saturday, August 5 at 7.30pm, Matinee performances will also take place at 2.30pm on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5.
The show will be directed for Tip Top by Peter Swingler OBE with musical direction by Wendy Tucker and choreography by Joni Rusling.
Featuring a whole host of cherished songs, including: 'Climb Ev’ry Mountain', 'My Favourite Things', 'Do-Re-Mi', 'Sixteen Going on Seventeen' and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars.
The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
Peter Swingler OBE, said: "Rehearsals are going exceptionally well with 40+ cast members working well together on this the most beloved musical of all time. I have been fortunate to amass talent from right across the region and beyond: from Rhos on Sea to Crewe, Nantwich to Neston not forgetting Wrexham, Llangollen and of course Chester.
"Audiences will be enchanted by the two teams of youngsters playing the Von Trapp children who are being coached by musical director Wendy Tucker and choreographer Joni Rusling. Our fantastic cast will feature Josephine McSollars as Maria and Chris Sims as Captain Von Trapp."
The Wrexham-based theatre company is following successful performances of Calendar Girls: The Musical at Storyhouse a sell out production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at Theatre Clwyd in February.
From 2007 to 2020, the company was based at the Forum Studio Theatre in Chester, housed in the former Chester Gateway Theatre building where they staged several productions each year including their legendary pantomimes as well as playing host to tribute bands, comedy nights and visiting productions.
In addition to its 40+ strong cast, the show's producers are looking to cast up to three male dancers to appear in a Waltz during a ballroom scene and anyone who is interested on taking on these roles should contact Peter Swingler by email at swinglerp@gmail.com for further details.
Full details of The Sound of Music can be found at www.storyhouse.com.
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