The stage is alive for Notre Dame Regional High School production of 'The Sound of Music'

The curtains will go up on a different stage in a different school, but the show is the same.

"The Sound of Music" will open at 7 p.m. today at Notre Dame Regional High School. It will be the first time the school has put on the show since its first musical in 1966.

The original production, which opened with a matinee performance April 15, 1966, was directed by two nuns, Sister Rose Michelle and Sister Norbertine. It had a double cast, which meant the main characters were played by two students who alternated performances.

Cindy King, director of the current production, said the original included a larger cast because students had fewer extracurricular activities.

"We didn't have a million different sports going on, and that makes a big difference," she said.

Some of the students involved in the original production now have children, nieces and nephews in the current show.

Madeline Jones, a sophomore, plays a nun.

"I like being able to redo it because it's never been redone before," she said.

Her aunt, Jan Velander, played Gretl as a third-grader, and her uncle, Mike Kohlfeld, danced in the original production. Because the cast was so large, King said ballet and other dance performances were added in the original show.

Tara Meyer, a senior, is coordinating the costumes for the current show; her father participated in the production of decades ago. For three years, she has worked behind the scenes of various shows on the costume crew. She arranges quick changes and helps fit costumes.

"I've had to do a lot of altering," she said.

She said working with costumes helped her find direction with her college studies. She will major in costume design at Southeast Missouri State University next year.

"With costumes you can research it and have a story to go with it," she said.

Her father, Thomas M. Meyer, danced in the original production when he was a junior. Although the dancing has not stayed with him, he said his involvement in musicals helped build his speaking skills.

"I may have been a little bit more timid back then," he said.

Over the years he said the students' talent has been magnified by continued parent support, including those who were involved with the school's first productions.

"We were good, but they are outstanding now," he said.

Friday's show is sold out, but tickets for tonight, Saturday and Sunday performances are available for $8 by calling the high school at 335-6772.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

265 Notre Dame Dr. Cape Girardeau, MO