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The Hills Are Alive: Bishop Guilfoyle students stage ‘Sound of Music’

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Bishop Guilfoyle Academy students will present "The Sound of Music" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, at the Mishler Theatre, 1208 12th Ave., Altoona.

This adored-by-all-ages musical features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp (full birth name), the story of this musical was inspired by the real-life Maria's memoirs about her Trapp family story captured in a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The original musical premiered on Broadway in 1959, won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, and later inspired the iconic 1965 film starring Julie Andrews.

Set in Austria on the eve of World War II, The Sound of Music celebrates the power of family, faith, courage and love through timeless songs such as "Do-Re-Mi," "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss" and "Climb Ev'ry Mountain." Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, this cherished classic continues to inspire new generations of performers and will delight audiences as the production features talent from many grade levels at Bishop Guilfoyle Academy.

"Since November, students have been dedicating their time, talent, and enthusiasm to bring our renowned musical production to the stage of the Historic Mishler Theatre," said Arlene Huth, Bishop Guilfoyle Academy's choral and drama director. "They have worked both collaboratively and independently to ensure the production delivers the excitement and quality it deserves."

Huth said teachers and staff, students' families and the broader community have all worked together to support the students as they prepare for the show.

"Students have had the opportunity to deeply explore their characters, design and create costumes, and construct one of the largest sets we have ever built," Huth said. "This year's production is an exciting and ambitious undertaking, featuring performers ranging in age from eight years old to graduating seniors. As this marks my second production at Bishop Guilfoyle, I continue to emphasize professionalism across all aspects of the show, including performance, choreography and stage crew work. On the technical side, student stage managers Julia Wesner and Dorothy Servello have done an outstanding job managing and organizing both the set and stage crew. The dedication and energy invested in this production will be evident and appreciated by audience members of all ages."

"I have been a part of the musicals at BG since I was in sixth grade, but this show has by far been my favorite," said senior Leah Byrne, who is playing Maria. "The entire cast and crew have been working relentlessly on the production, and it's been such a joy watching the show come to life. I've grown so much as an actress and playing Maria for my senior year has been such an amazing experience, everyone truly feels like a family. I really hope everyone loves our show as much as I do." 

Senior Julia Wesner, a member of the stage crew since ninth grade, is serving as the stage manager and head of the costume design department.

"It's been such a pleasure to work so closely with the cast and crew to create such a fantastic show," Wesner said. "A lot of hard work and dedication went into every part of this production and it's something I'm truly proud to be a part of my senior year. I've been able to grow so much since the start of this journey. Being head of the costume department has given me a unique experience that I can carry with me into my future in the fashion industry. I hope everyone likes the costumes, sets, but most importantly -- the performance, which you should see because it's going to be our best one yet."

"The Sound of Music" tickets are available at mishlertheatre.org or by calling 814-944-9434.

If you go

What: The Sound of Music

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7

Where: Mishler Theatre, 1208 12th Ave., Altoona.

Tickets: $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+) and $13 for students. Tickets can be purchased at Mishlertheatre.org or by calling 814-944-9434. There is a service fee for online orders.

Cast

The cast, under the direction of Arlene Huth, who also serves as vocal coach, includes: Leah Byrne as Maria; Jacob Sutton as Captain von Trapp; Lauren Lehman, Mother Abbess; John Bickford, Max; Bianca Melgar, Elsa Schraeder; Kaitlyn Link, Liesl; Gabriel Sutton, Friedrich; Logan Holes, Kurt; Gracie Husted, Louisa; Theresa Trieu, Brigitta; Ava Kent, Marta; Gianna Danella, Gretl; Arielle Biesinger, Sister Margaretta; Aidan Kent, Rolf; Brianna Clossin, Sister Berthe; Lina Yanoshak, Sister Sophia; Aidan Schurr, Franz; Lilyanna Weakland, Frau Schmidt; Elijah Heilmann, Herr Zeller; Karigan Musselman, Ursula; Andrew Link, Baron Elberfeld; Joseph Lehman, Admiral von Schreiber; Nina Gingrich, Baroness Elberfeld; Francesca Melgar, Frau Zeller; Ensemble: Daphne Brown, Timothy Clossin, Eden Heilmann, Kathryn Schield, Venus Lopez-Oakes; and Dance Ensemble: Lily Burke and Caley Halerz.

Crew

Stage manager and costume design, Julia Wesner; assistant stage manager, Dorothy Servello; choreographer, Rebecca Culp; student choreographer, Kaitlyn Link; set and props design, Tori Byrne; costuming: Julia Wesner, Arielle Biesinger, Jennifer Butler, and Regina Biesinger; makeup and hair: Stephanie Bohn and Ella Lauver; tech director, Mike Riling; sound board operator, Dave Akers; lighting design/operator, Alice Oswald; set construction manager, Mark Halerz; set construction crew: Rafael Melgar, Ty Halerz, Bianca Melgar and JJ Colombo; spotlight operators: Evan Burke and Jacob Mellott; and stage crew: Rebekah Adams, Rhiannon Benson, Evan Burke, Griffon Chwatek, Jimmy Colombo, Adrian Diaz Marlin, Mary Haigh, Jacob Mellott, Louis Pollock, Jett Sprouse, Joshua Sutton and Giada Tomchick.

Orchestra

Music director/pit conductor Bethany Danella will be joined by local musicians: Mary Villani, keys; Dave Villani, keys; Robert Scholl, flute/clarinet; Larry Detwiler, trumpet; Scott Sheehan, trumpet; Drew Yingling, trombone; Jerry Berry, tuba; Kelly Myers, French horn; Jonathan Mountain, French horn/guitar; Maddy Walstrom, violin; Kelly Detwiler, bass; and David Hock; percussion.

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