The Northwoods Players community theater group will take the stage this week with their latest production of “The Sound of Music” on April 12, 13, 14 at the Performing Arts Center of Phillips High School, 990 Flambeau Ave. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. April 12-13, and at 2 p.m. April 14.
The cast and crew of more than 75 people have been preparing and rehearsing for the production since early January, according to co-director Karl Pippenger, who is also the board treasurer for the Northwoods Players. The show features a live pit band directed by Luanne Peterson.
“Over several weeks of practice, we started to become a family,” Pippenger said. “I look forward to seeing everyone, and the last show is always bittersweet. But it is rewarding to know that in one moment in time, a group of people joined together to make something memorable for themselves and the people of Northern Wisconsin.”
New faces taking the stage in their first lead roles with Northwoods Players, include Alex Kirch as Maria, and Bill Weiler as Captain von Trapp. Natalino Xuereb portrays the entertaining and eclectic Max, and Shelly Johnson fills the role of the beautiful and wealthy Elsa.
“Casting for this show was especially difficult because there simply weren’t enough roles for everyone who auditioned,” Pippenger said. “This means over 20 talented people who tried out didn’t get roles, which was tough for me.”
Tia Kropf-Beringer said that collaborating with Pippenger in co-directing “The Sound of Music” has been a great experience.
“After years of involvement in the Northwoods Players scene as an actor and board member, it was exciting to take the leap into directing,” Kropf-Beringer said. “Having such a wonderful and talented cast and crew has made it particularly rewarding. I look forward to sharing this production with the community.”
“The Sound of Music” is set in Austria during the late 1930’s. The show is based on the real life von Trapp family, who chose to flee through the mountains of Austria rather than acquiesce to Nazi annexation.
“I hadn’t watched the movie until very recently, and it was very emotional for me,” Pippenger said. “The choices Captain von Trapp faced were very compelling, and I believe are applicable today. He knew that compromising his values would be the best way to protect his family, but instead he sacrificed his wealth and risked his own safety to stay true to his principles. The actors are incredible singers, and many of the songs still choke me up or make me smile, even after several weeks of hearing them.”
The choices of Captain von Trapp, the overarching theme that love still persists even in times of difficulty stands above all, he said. No matter what is going on in the world, people still fall in love, people still seek personal joy, and that is something important to be reminded of.
Tickets are available at the door, $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $10 for children. Refreshments provided by the Methodist Church of Phillips. For more information, visit northwoodsplayers.com.
Most Popular
Comments / 0