This June, the Paramount Theatre is proud to present its 33rd Annual Summer Musical, “The Sound of Music.” The Paramount’s production of this beloved stage musical will feature 32 community actors, a professional production team and live orchestra, all local to Abilene and the immediate surrounding area.
Based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp and set during the Anschluss of Austria in 1938, “The Sound of Music” follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. However, as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.
As fresh and relevant today as it was at its Broadway debut in 1959, “The Sound of Music” marked the final collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II before Hammerstein’s death just nine months after its premiere. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, “The Sound of Music” won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards for the original stage musical and five Oscars (including Best Picture) for the film adaptation starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer.
The cast of this year’s Paramount Summer Musical will be led by a top-notch creative team featuring the Paramount’s inhouse staff, as well as other professionals from the Abilene arts community. Katie Hahn, director of Paramount Productions, will serve as director of “The Sound of Music;” other recent directing work at the Paramount includes “Seussical,” “Legally Blonde,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sweeney Todd.” Hahn will be joined by frequent collaborator and returning music director, Marc Sanders, and returning choreographer Teri Wilkerson, owner and artistic director of Dance Discovery Studios.
The Paramount’s director of operations, Grayson Allred, will design the lights and oversee the scenic design, which will be helmed by another Abilene arts professional. Allred’s most recent Paramount Summer Musical designs were seen in “Seussical,” “Legally Blonde” and “Sweeney Todd.” He also frequently designs lights for other community organizations, including Abilene Community Theatre. The costumes will be designed by the Paramount’s resident costume designer, Emilia Richardson. Richardson’s designs at the Paramount include “Seussical,” “John Proctor is the Villain” and “Pride and Prejudice.” Her work can also be seen at other organizations around Abilene, including Hardin-Simmons University and Abilene Christian University.
The Paramount is thrilled to mount “The Sound of Music” for the first time in the history of Paramount Productions. Director Katie Hahn says, “I am looking forward to exploring the themes of this show and its relevance in our world today with our wonderful group of local actors; this is a very talented group of artists, and we will endeavor to tell this timeless story with grace and honor the legacy of families like the von Trapps, who resisted injustice.”
“The Sound of Music” runs June 26-28 and July 2-3. For tickets and additional information, please visit paramountabilene.com.
Contributed By The Paramount Theatre
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