The Tyler Civic Theater will stage the musical The Sound of Music, which begins on Friday and runs every weekend through June 25th.
The Sound of Music has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. This work, based on his 1949 memoir by Maria von Trapp, was the last collaboration between Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Director Kim Bond said, “This is a very iconic classic.” “What really matters is the music and the characters, and I think we have a phenomenal cast to bring all of that to life.”
A large number of cast members participate in the production.
“It’s a massive production, with 43 actors at the last count,” Bond said. We have 12 to 15 nuns, 7 children and other main characters. And we also have some understudies. ”
Bond’s son Nelson Bond is co-directing.
“I’m new to this area of theater, but so far it’s been a lot of fun and challenging. We have a great cast and crew, so it’s very easy to do,” he said. “And we had a lot of support, both inside and outside the theater center, so it wasn’t as hard as we thought.”
When it comes to directing, Bond and Son work well together.
“He was really a set design visionary and…blocked and my job was more with the music, the schedule and the overall production,” she said. “So we sort of divide and conquer.”
With this performance, Kim Bond said he was regaining diversity.
“One of the things we talked about a lot is that if you watch this movie, it’s historically all white,” she said. “And Austria was culturally diverse at the time, so we’re bringing diversity back into the play.”
The main character is Maria Reiner, played by Carla Story.
“She is a clergyman at the local convent and has been sent to tutor Captain (Georg) von Trapp’s seven children,” Kim Bond said.
Brian Knows has been cast as Captain Von Trapp.
“On film he’s very stern and strict, but on stage we wanted to bring something a little more real,” said Nelson Bond. “We wanted Brian to add a little bit more of himself to the character, so I think we have a captain who can be just a little bit softer when needed. And…that’s very strong for the show.”
The musical includes songs like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Lonely Goat,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “My Favorite Things,” and of course, “The Sound of Music.” increase.
Nelson Bond says he hopes audiences will come away with a different take on The Sound of Music.
“I want them to see this in a new light and have a new perception of this show,” he said. “It’s so timeless and it’s an honor to try to give it a new twist.”
“I want the audience to have more historical awareness of what happened in 1938 and things they might not have thought of, and just have fun,” said Kim Bond.
She added that “Sound of Music” is both a fun production and a great story.
“There’s a lot of symbolism in there, it’s a beautiful story with many layers. There’s something for everyone,” said Kim Bond. “Kids will come and enjoy the fun, and adults will enjoy the character development and the story itself.”
