Lake Country Players will present musical

WATKINS GLEN--The Lake Country Players will present their fall show this weekend, a favorite of many, Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music." The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 for the first of four shows. The other three are Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and also the traditional Sunday matinee at 2 p.m., Nov. 6. There are four shows this year so both casts of children each get to perform in two apiece. So many students auditioned that there was enough to double-cast the seven VonTrapp children.
Casey Manzer-Smith of Corning is directing the production set in pre-World War II Austria. Although the main character, Maria Rainer (Rachel Heselton-Corning) wants to be a nun, she is a bit too high-spirited for the convent. The Sisters Berthe (Jackie Osburne-Corning), Margaretta (Jennifer Kintz-Horseheads) and Sophia (Theresa Colomaio - Odessa) wonder how to solve a problem like Maria.
The Mother Abbess (Nancy Kane-Cortland) sends her to be the governess for Captain VonTrapp (Matt Kelly - Montour Falls) and his seven children. At first, the children try to trick Maria into doing the wrong things, but they eventually grow to know and love her. Even 16-going-on-17 Leisl (Julianna Osburne-Corning and Mabel Kaufman-Hector) who gets caught in the rain after a secret tryst with her 17-going-on-18 boyfriend, Rolf (Gavin Lewis-Watkins Glen, Jack Muir-Watkins Glen) realizes that Maria wants only the best for the VonTrapp children.
The Captain's friend Max (Jack Carr-Cortland) is trying to convince Baroness Shrader (Anna-Beth Wheaton-Big Flats) to help him get the children to sing in the "Kaltzburg" Festival because he is so enchanted by their rendition of "So Long, Farewell" which Maria taught the children. Tension develops as the Nazi Germans are poised to take over Austria. Will the children sing in public against their father's wishes? Will Maria return to the Abbey and become a nun? What will happen to the patriotic Captain if the German Anschluss materializes? Come hear the beautiful sounds of music by the 14-voice nun's choir, directed by Kim Laursen of Montour Falls.
Amy Wysocki, Joan Kaufman, Katie Diliberto and Judy Fitcha are in charge of costuming this extravaganza, and Les Laursen, Dan Rounds and Jack Osburne have built the sets. The 37 members of the SOM cast invite you to come see the show at the Watkins Glen High School auditorium Nov. 4 to 6. Business manager Jody Swarthout is managing ticket sales - Adults $15, Seniors $12 and Students $8 at the door (cash or checks).