The Sound of Music comes alive in Washburn

WASHBURN, Wis. - The hills are alive in Northern Wisconsin as a community theatre in Washburn gets ready to stage a popular musical.

"It’s been wonderful; I really, really enjoy it," said Tekhla Edwards of Bayfield.  In just 3 days, The Sound of Music will come alive on stage in Washburn.  "I look forward to sitting in the audience.  I know I’m just going to cry the whole time," said Director Heather Tucker.  Tucker has spent hundreds of hours working with the cast and crew of The Sound of Music.  It’s the biggest production yet for Stagenorth.  "Because this is such an ambitious project, it's just been so humbling to work with so many talented people," said Artistic Director Noah Siegler.  "I play Friedrich, he is 14 years old and he's very proud," said Edwards.  "It’s nice to step back and try and be somebody else and play a part," said Jill Sauld of Washburn.  It’s Sauld's first time on the stage, she plays The Baroness.  “The Baroness is supposed to be like really sassy so she makes it perfect," said Emma Sauld.  She's the understudy for 4 of the Von Trapp children.  "You have to work really hard on memorizing your people's lines and there is like 5,000 lines to memorize," said Emma Sauld.  Kelsey Myrvold plays the lead as Maria.  "It’s overwhelming, I think Julie Andrews is a big act to follow, but it's really fun," said Myrvold.

There are 65 community members in this musical, that includes 28 cast members and a 15 piece orchestra.  "The actors are working so hard and the orchestra sounds amazing," said Tucker.  And everyone involved in this production has volunteered their time to bring The Sound of Music to life.  "It's just one of those hugely gratifying things to be in a space where you are surrounded by people who I think are excited to be here doing this with us," said Siegler.  And this is the first rehearsal with costumes, set changes and the orchestra.  "So we are just starting to work in these final elements to put it all together," said Tucker.  After 7 weeks of rehearsals, The Sound of Music will open to the public at Stagenorth in Washburn.  "I’m thrilled, it's going to be an amazing show, it's breathtaking," said Tucker.  "I am really excited, like really, really excited," said Edwards. 

The Sound of Music opens October 15th.  Tickets are available online at www.stagenorth.com or by calling the box office at (715) 373–1194.