Music to his ears
CLC director of theater embraces production of 'The Sound of Music'
The Central Lakes College Theatre will open its 40th season with "The Sound of Music" on Oct. 1 at the Dryden Theatre on the Brainerd campus.
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With nearly 1,500 Broadway performances, six Tony Awards, more than three million albums sold and five Academy Awards, "The Sound Of Music" - based on the lives of Maria, the baron Von Trapp, and their singing children - is as familiar to most as their own family history. But much about the real-life woman and her family was left untold.
Set in the turbulent times of the late 1930s, in a world about to explode into war, Rodgers and Hammerstein begin the extraordinary story of Maria's romance with the baron and their escape from Nazi-occupied Austria.
Rylie Young (Marta, left), Caitlin Bostrom (Brigitta), Katie Nelsen (Maria), Jacob Goodwin (Friedrich), Oliver Oldham (Kurt), Savannah Cole (Liesl) and Madison Yeager (Gretl) enjoyed a song together during practice for "The Sound of Music" production, which opens Oct. 1 in the Dryden Theatre on the Central Lakes College campus. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls
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Playing the role of Maria, the young tomboy nun who turns the Nonnberg Abby upside down with her less-than-saintly antics, is Katie Nelsen of Baxter. The role was created for Broadway legend Mary Martin and has been played on stage by such varied and talented actresses as Florence Henderson, Shirley Jones, Barbara Cook, Marie Osmond, Maureen McGovern and Petula Clark.
But the most famous Maria is Julie Andrews, who played the nun-turned-governess in the 1965 film version.
"I'm thrilled to be playing the role of Maria," Nelsen said. "The rehearsal process has been a wonderful experience, especially working with the children. I truly feel that I have grown immensely as a musician and actress."
Playing the other lead roles are Rick Cole (Brainerd) as the Captain, Laura Oldham (Baxter) as Mother Abbess, Tiffany Olson (Crosslake) as Elsa, Marc Olipant (Baxter) as Max, Savannah Cole (Brainerd) as Liesl and Colin Sullivan (Baxter) as Rolf.
Katie Nelsen rehearsed this week with Dennis Lamberson, director of theater at Central Lakes College. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls
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Dennis Lamberson, Central Lakes College director of theater, has been involved in five production of "The Sound of Music" over his 40-year career in the theater.
"Doing a production of 'The Sound of Music' is like visiting an old friend," he said. "I always find something new in the script that makes it fresh and exciting. The themes of hope, faith and following one's own convictions in the face of turmoil are as relevant today as they were in 1938.
"I was 12 when I saw 'The Sound of Music' - the first professional stage musical I had ever seen. That production changed me forever; as I exited the theatre I knew what I wanted to do in life."
Rick Cole (Captain) and Katie Nelsen (Maria) danced during rehearsal this week at Central Lakes College. The couple play the lead in "The Sound of Music," which opens Oct. 1 in the Dryden Theatre on the Brainerd Campus. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls
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The CLC production features a cast of 31 actors from 10 Lakes communities. With roof repairs in the Chalberg Theatre, "The Sound of Music" is being staged in-the-round in the 115-seat Dryden Theatre.
The small theater provides an intimate actor-audience relationship to the production that features one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most enchanting scores, including "The Sound of Music," "Edelweiss," "My Favorite Things," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and "Do-Re- Mi."
Caitlin Bostrom (Brigitta, left), Savannah Cole (Liesl), Madison Yeager (Gretl), Rick Cole (Captain), Jacob Goodwin (Friedrich), Katie Nelsen (Maria), Rylie Young (Marta) and Oliver Oldham (Kurt) rehearsed for "The Sound of Music," which opens Oct. 1 in the Dryden Theatre on the Central Lakes College Campus. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls
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The production plays at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-3 and Oct. 7-10, 2 p.m. Oct. 4 and Oct. 11 and 10 a.m. Oct. 9. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under and free for CLC students. There are also group rates for groups of 10 or more. Due to the limited seating in the Dryden Theatre, purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged.
Due to its length, the production is not recommended for children under 5. For the enjoyment of all theater patrons, no babies will be admitted. Patrons needing handicapped seating should make their request known at the time reservations are made.
For tickets, call the CLC Theater Box Office at 855-8199.