Palm Canyon Theatre is set to open its next performance Friday evening featuring some special cast members. All of the child actors appearing as Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music are graduates of the theater’s summer camp.
“We are so proud that all of the child actors cast as the Von Trapp children are “graduates” of the theatre’s Summer Camp, where they learn the skills of acting, singing and dancing,” said Se Layne, co-artistic director at the Palm Springs theater. “Each Summer for six weeks, this performing arts mentorship program includes about 80 children. Sixty of whom receive scholarships from the theatre to participate. Not only do they learn the craft of theatre, but as demonstrated with The Sound of Music, they are very often cast to perform in Palm Canyon Theatre’s season productions.”
After opening this Friday, the show will run Thursdays through Sundays until December 19, with the exception of this Saturday, when the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade occurs Downtown. Showtimes are 7 PM on Thursdays, 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 PM on Sundays.
The Sound of Music is the story of Maria, who accepts a position as governess 10 children (three of which do not appear in the musical.) At the same time, Maria is deciding whether she wants to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain Von Trapp. The captain is ordered to accept a position in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis and plans a way for he and his family to escape.
The show has become a beloved musical and a classic as it embraces the universal themes of family, love and a strong sense of community that will ultimately prevail over the most tremendous challenges in society. Music is by Richard Rodgers and lyrics are by Oscar Hammerstein. It is based on the memoirs of Maria Von Trapp and set in Austria in 1938.
The Sound of Music opened on Broadway in 1959, starring Mary Martin. It ran for 1,443 performances and won five Tony Awards including Best Musical. The film opened in 1965, starring Julie Andrews, and it won five Academy Awards including Best Picture. The signature anthem of this musical is “Climb Every Mountain.” It’s a call for Maria to not be afraid of what she dreams of having, and it’s a call for audiences to embrace every opportunity and challenge with love and not fear.
Palm Canyon Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music is directed and choreographed by Layne. Musical direction is by Scott T. Smith. Maria is played by Alisha Bates, and Captain Von Trapp is played by Keith Alexander. The Von Trapp children are played by Grace Carey as Liesl, Reagan Kaminsky, Ryan Rodriguez, Alice Steepleton, Audrey Steepleton, and Dayanara Huerta.
More information: For tickets or other information, call the PCT Box Office at 760-323-5123 or order online at PalmCanyonTheatre.org. Tickets are $36 for adults, $32 for seniors, and $15.00 for students and children. The theater is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive.
