‘The Sound of Music’ debuts in Washington next week

WASHINGTON — What has become recognized as one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beloved musicals, “The Sound of Music,” will open this month for two weekends of production at the Washington Community Theater. The dates of the musical are June 21-23 and June 28-30. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m., except for the Sunday matinees on June 23 and June 30, which are at 2:30 p.m.

The production is under the shared direction of Ed Colby and Michael Jewell, directing the music. Zoe Wagner and Ryan Flannery, both of Washington, bring alive the lead roles of Maria and Captain Von Trapp.

The seven Von Trapp children are: Bailey Rees as Liesl, Logan Westphal as Friedrich, Caroline Schrader as Louisa, Dawson Guy as Kurt, Eliza Widmer as Brigitta, Allie Westphal as Marta, and Hayden Wenger as Gretl. Keegan Colby plays Rolf.

Supporting roles feature Erin Kaye as the Mother Abbess, Cailee Wenger as Elsa Schraeder and Jeffrey Allen Mead as Max Detweiler.

"This is one of the most popular musicals of all time,” said co-director Ed Colby. “The cast and crew are working very hard to create a production that audiences will enjoy. We have so many outstanding local actors and singers in the cast. "

The Sound of Music is the story of the life experiences of an Austrian naval captain, his children and the nun, on assignment from the abbey, who was hired as the children’s governess. The family and others in the story were involved in supporting Von Trapp’s resistance to the Third Reich military.

Tickets may be purchased at the box office (319) 653-5175, 611 Hwy 1 South, Washington, or through the website www.wctheater.com