Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre & Children's Theatre

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
April 18 - June 29, 2008

The final collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical in theatre history. In this heartwarming story, when a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain, leading to one of the most inspirational and endearing musical theatre endings of all time.

The theatre world was first introduced to The Sound of Music when it opened on Broadway in November 1959 with Mary Martin starring as Maria. Originally, producers of the show envisioned it as a non-musical play. Then it was decided to add an original song or two, and finally, it was soon agreed that the project should feature all new songs and be a full musical. The production went on to win 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It was in 1965 that The Sound of Music then found its way to the silver screen with Julie Andrews starring as Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp. The show finally returned to Broadway in 1998 with Rebecca Luker in the lead role. Currently, the show is having a hugely successful run in London's West End with a production produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian.

Since the first production in 1959, countless productions have been mounted around the world, endearing the show to generations. Always an audience favorite, there was no doubt that such a popular show would one day return to Way Off Broadway.

SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES
April 18, 19, 20, 25, 26; May 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 30, 31;
June 1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29

Due to the nature of theatrical bookings, though rare, dates are subject to change

SARAH MELINDA (Frau Scmidt/Sister Margaretta): After a successful run with Charter Theatre in Forgive Us by Keith Bridges, Sarah is thrilled to be back at WOB! Past WOB credits include The Goodbye Girl (Paula), Bye Bye, Birdie (Rosie), Lullabies of Broadway, An Old Fashioned (Radio) Christmas, and 'Tis the Season. Sarah is an Associate Instructor with Dueling Arts International and a Faculty Member and Alumni of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, DC.

ALEX PRETE (Friedrich): This is Alex's first production at WOB. A 13 year old 7^th grader at Windsor Knolls Middle School, he has appeared in It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story with FtP and Big with Smithereens.

KEITH PURTEE (Von Schreiber/Ensemble): Keith is a long-time member of the WOB family and has performed in well over a 100 productions over the years around the area. His favorite role is still father to daughter Jesse, a performer herself, attending Catholic University.

ERIC SEEBACH (Zeller/Ensemble): As WOB’s lead synth player, Eric has played for such productions as Oklahoma!, An Old Fashioned (Radio) Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof, Holiday Cheer, Forever Plaid, Nunsense 2, A Chorus Line, and the region premier of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl - The Musical. Eric is now psyched to be making his stage debut performance at WOB and would like to thank his family and friends for their support.

SHELBY SOURS (Mother Abbess): A native of Arlington, VA, Shelby holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University. Her local credits include Signature Theatre (Forum), Kennedy Center (VSA Arts), Rep Stage (Mrs. Farnsworth), Washington Improv Theater (iMusical), Maryland Shakespeare Festival (2 Gents), Venus Theatre (A Little Rebellion Now, Lysistration), Classika~Synetic (The Little Mermaid), and Phoenix Theatre (LuLu Fabulous). Regionally, she has performed at The Main Street Theatre, toured with American Family Theater (Sleeping Beauty) and spent a season in residence with the Orlando Shakespeare Festival as an Acting/Education Intern.

BRANDON STONESTREET (Friedrich): Brandon, a 13 year old attending Middletown Middle, has appeared in shows in the Frederick area including Cinderella, Pippin, Grease, Tommy, and Anything Goes. Brandon was a member of The Maryland State Boys Choir and Frederick Children’s Chorus.

SHANNON WELLS (Maria): A Theatre graduate from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., you may recognize Shannon from her appearances in ‘Tis the Season, Grease (Jan), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), or as Cinderella in the Children's Theatre production of Cinderella. "I want to thank all here at WOB for continually giving me the opportunities to keep coming back. I am so grateful to have a loving family and friends who support me, especially my husband, Erik! I love you all!"

GEORGIE WETMORE (Elsa/Sister Berthe): Georgie is very excited to be back on WOB’s Mainstage! Most of her recent appearances have been in the Children's Theater but she just had to come back to the Mainstage to be in the show that started her acting career, having played Gretl when she was 5 years old. Hard to believe that was only 10 years ago! When Georgie is not acting she is mom to her 7 year old twin boys, Ross and Robert. She would like to thank all the Kiskas for putting up with all her craziness!

RICHARD RODGERS & OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II (Music & Lyrics): After distinguished careers with other collaborators, composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II joined forces in 1942 to create the most successful partnership in the American musical theatre. Oklahoma! (1943), the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, was followed by Carousel (1945), the movie State Fair (1945; remade 1962; Broadway premiere, 1996); Allegro (1947), South Pacific (1949), The King & I (1951), Me & Juliet (1953), Pipe Dream (1955), the TV musical Cinderella (1957; remade 1965, 1997); Flower Drum Song (1958), and The Sound of Music (1959).

HOWARD LINDSAY & RUSSEL CROUSE (Book): The Lindsay and Crouse partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical history, lasting for 32 years. Howard Lindsay was born in 1889 and died in 1968. He became an actor at nineteen and went on to become a successful Broadway playwright and director. Russel Crouse was born in 1893 and died in 1966. After serving in the Navy, he worked on New York newspapers, gaining his first renown through a signed column in the Post. In 1932, he became head of the publicity department for the Theatre Guild and in 1933 wrote his first Broadway show, collaborating with Corey Ford on the musical comedy Hold Your Horses. From 1934 on, Crouse wrote only with Lindsay. Their hits include The Sound of Music, Anything Goes, Red, Hot, & Blue (with scores by Cole Porter), Call Me Madam (score by Irving Berlin), the long-running play Life with Father (which originally starred Lindsay), the Pulitzer Prize winning State of the Union, and The Great Sebastians written for the Lunts. Their producing credits included The Hasty Heart, Detective Story, and Arsenic and Old Lace.

SUSAN THORNTON (Director): Over the years, Susan has performed and directed at theatres in MD, WV, and DC. Frederick area residents can also see her on Comcast Cable 10 hosting the entertainment show Artscape.

CATHERINE PORTER-BORDEN (Musical Director): This is Cathie’s second time as musical director for The Sound of Music at WOB. She also serves as musical director/composer for all of WOB’s Children's Theatre productions in addition to being on the voice faculty at Hood College.

ELIZABETH ANGLIN (Louisa): Elizabeth is a 15 year old making her WOB debut. Previously, she has performed with Drama Learning Center, Tree of Life Theater Troupe, and Damascus Theater Company. Some of her favorite appearances include Gypsy (June), The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), and The Music Man Jr. (Marian).

ALEXIS BARONE (Brigitta): Alexis is thrilled to be making her WOB debut. She was bitten by the acting bug 4 years ago and has suffered theatre fever ever since. Memorable appearances include A Christmas Story (Ralphie) and Oliver Twist (Oliver). Alexis is pleased to finally be playing the part of a girl!

MARY ELLEN CAMERON (Liesl): Mary Ellen is very excited to be making her WOB debut! A senior at Walkersville High School, she plans on majoring in Musical Theatre at Coastal Carolina University next year. Favorite appearances include Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) and Cats (Sillabub).

EMILY COFER (Marta): Emily is a 9 year old homeschooler who has always loved acting. Her favorite role was Piglet in the musical House at Pooh Corner with the Thurmont Thespians. She is excited to be at WOB and thanks her family and the Watsons for their love and support.

TAYLOR DAWSON (Brigitta): Taylor, 11, is thrilled to be in her 1^st production at WOB. She was last seen as Want in Ford Theatre's Christmas Carol. Other favorite appearances include Gypsy (Baby Louise) and Annie Jr. (Annie).

PALMER FORAN (Kurt): Palmer is thrilled to be making his debut at WOB. He is currently a 4th grader and has been performing since kindergarten. His most recent roles include The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), The Jungle Book (Mowgli), and Shake, Rattle and Roll (Elvis). He thanks his family and friends for their love and support.

LAURA HARVEY (Sister Sophia/Ensemble): Laura is thrilled to be returning to the stage after a long absence by making her WOB debut. She spent several years singing and performing on stage with Collegium Musicum in such shows as Grease, Spotlight on Broadway, The Sensational 60’s, and Sentimental Journey Through the 1940’s. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support and encouraging her to get back on stage.

SUSANNA HOFFMAN (Gretl): Four year old Susanna is blessed to be making her theatrical debut as the beloved Gretl in The Sound of Music. Her performance is dedicated to her late grandmother who so loved musical theater.

EMILY HUGHES (Louisa): Emily is delighted to be in The Sound of Music at WOB! Favorite past appearances include West Side Story (Action) and Godspell (Robin). She would like to thank everyone involved for producing such a spectacular show!

RYAN PATRICK KANE (Kurt): Ryan is a 10 year old 5th grader at Yellow Springs Elementary. He has performed in Merrily We Roll Along and The Pajama Game with Smithereens and The Wiz with TJ Stage. He would like to thank his acting teacher, Charlie Smith, for getting him started in theater. Ryan is excited to be in his 1^st show with WOB and thanks Susan for this opportunity.

JACQUELINE KEMPA (Marta): Jacqueline has been in 7 plays with one of her favorite roles being Bagheera in The Jungle Book. She likes to sing and ride her pony, Freddie Flintstone.

JONNY KIGIN (Max): Jonny returns to the WOB stage once again after having just appeared as Tito in Lend Me a Tenor. Prior appearances include Forever Plaid (Francis), Oklahoma! (Curly), and Grease (Teen Angel). When not performing, Jonny is with the Kigin Group at Acre Mortgage in downtown Frederick. He would like to thank his wife, Jana, and kids, Lily, Molly, and Patrick, for their love and support.

BILL KISKA (Von Trapp): More often than not, Bill can be found behind the scenes, having directed such shows as Oliver!, The King & I, Hello, Dolly!, . . . Forum, Annie, and the regional premier of Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl – The Musical. His proudest theatre moment, however, was appearing as Georges in the area premier of Jerry Herman’s smash hit musical, La Cage aux Folles. As one of WOB’s owners and the theatre’s executive producer, he has been involved with every production since 2002 and loves having been able to bring so many great shows to Frederick over the last several years.

TREY T. KISKA (Franz): Trey was last seen at WOB as the Bellhop in Lend Me a Tenor. Other appearances include The Case of the Oldest Living Showgirl (Dean), Grease (Danny Zuko), where he met his wife, Christie, La Cage (Francis the stage manager), The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), and the Children’s Theatre production of Frosty the Snowman (Patrick).

ERICA LOY (Sister Anelie/Ensemble): Erica is ecstatic to finally be working on the WOB stage after years of being in the audience! Some of her favorite appearances include Zombie Prom (Candy) and The Pajama Game (Poopsie), always playing the dumb blonde. She would like to thank Bria, Carrie, and Kendall for all the hugs and kisses.

AUDREY McCLATCHIE (Gretl): This is Audrey's first musical! (If you don't count the ones staged in her family's living room!) She "loves cats, riding bikes, dancing, and being Gretl in The Sound of Music." Love to my family and friends!

DAVID McCLINTOCK (Rolf): David is ecstatic to be working once again with Susan Thornton while making his WOB debut – that is, outside of the kitchen! He has been active in all of his high school productions, appearing in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Demetrius), Cats (Mr. Mistoffelees), and Joseph . . . (Rueben), just to name a few. He has also appeared as Josh in Zombie Prom with Smithereens. David currently studies voice with Cathie Porter-Borden and would like to thank Susan and the Kiskas, Cathie, Charlie Smith, Donna Grim, and Sparky. He also sends a special thanks to his friends and family. This one’s for Bella.