Limelight Theatre’s production of the beloved classic, “The Sound of Music,” will run from July 16 to Aug. 9. The show is co-directed by Joshua Sewell and Isabel Dondero. They each spoke about the production process and what audiences can expect from the musical.
Sewell said the production process has gone really smoothly. He is very happy with the cast’s dedication and passion at rehearsals.
“The actors work hard, and they play hard — both are equally important to putting a show together,” he said.
Dondero is excited about the production’s progress as well.
“We have an incredible cast,” she said. “It is the largest cast I’ve had the pleasure of directing, with 28 actors in total.”
The Sound of Music is very family oriented, and several real-life families are performing together, Dondero said.
“It has been a joy to have these real-life examples of loving families as part of our rehearsal process,” she said.
The musical contains powerful themes of family, faith, love and standing up for your beliefs during a dark time in history.
“I think the joy we see grow within this family during such a dark and dangerous time is one of the reasons this story has remained so beloved for generations,” Sewell said. “Throughout rehearsals, we encouraged open conversations with our actors, acknowledging the gravity of the rise of the Third Reich and the terrible events it foreshadowed. At the same time, we continually return to the light, hope and joy that become even more meaningful in the face of evil.”
The audience can expect a hopeful and joyful atmosphere with singing, dancing and fun for the whole family. The cast brings a fresh perspective to this timeless story, Dondero said.
Dondero and Sewell agree that watching the cast work together and perform is their favorite part of the production.
“One of the great joys of theatre is watching people from different backgrounds unite around a shared goal: creating something meaningful and bringing joy to an audience,” Dondero said. “Being part of such a large group working together with so much love and care, is, to me, one of the best parts of both this production and the human experience.”
“It’s what I love most about every production I’ve been a part of, whether as a director, actor or in any other role,” Sewell said. “A group of people — many of whom were strangers when we began — came together and transformed words and music written nearly 70 years ago into a unique, living work of art. No production has ever been, or ever will be, exactly the same as this one. Yet we still wrestle with the same questions, experience the same triumphs and feel the same suspense as audiences did when the show premiered in 1959. Being part of that is something too magical to fully put into words.”
Evening performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. The Terrific Tuesday performance is on Aug. 4.
To learn more about Limelight’s “The Sound of Music,” go to limelight-theatre.org. To purchase tickets, go to limelight.ludus.com.
