Nipmuc Regional High School Performs ‘The Sound of Music’ – Outstanding

The auditorium was alive with the Sound of Music at Nipmuc Regional High School this weekend; their stage lit up with beautiful voices, wonderful costumes, and their own pit orchestra. The Sound of Music was the last musical Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote together and it opened on Broadway in 1959, running for 1,443 performances. It was brought to the silver screen in 1965 and won several Academy Awards.

The von Trapp children live an unhappy and strict life as their father, a Navy Captain, mourns their mother.  Captain von Trapp’s grief stops him from tending to his children, and he instead hires governesses. When he hires Maria, a novice from the convent, their lives are changed. Maria brings the joy back to this family through her love of life and music.

Chelsea Daniels gave an excellent performance as Maria, conveying Maria’s love for life brilliantly through her performance and songs. Ethan Cote’s performance of Captain Von Trapp was strong, capturing both the hard and soft side of the Captain, his voice rounded up his character nicely.

The melodic voices of Mother Abbess, played by Arianna Bonito, and the Sisters, played by Meghan Clark, Emily O’connell and Joselyn Melpignano, added to the production with songs like “Maria.”  The Von Trapp children gave a wonderful performance, “So Long, Farewell’ was simply charming.  Max’s character added comic relief and was played perfectly by Matt Obrien.

The supporting actors and actresses also were amazing, Samantha Jokela and Brandon Hall played Frau Schmidt and Franz and both portrayed the essence of their character well.

The live pit orchestra truly enhanced the experience of the musical.

Nipmuc Regional High Schools performance of The Sound of Music was a pleasure to watch.

CAST LIST

Chelsea Daniels as Maria, Arianna Bonito as The Mother Abbess, Emily O’Connel as Sister Berthe, Joselyn Melpignano as Sister Margaretta, Meghan Clark as Sister Sophia, Ethan Cote as Captain von Trapp, Brandon Hall as Franz, Samantha Jokela as Frau Schmidt, Hannah Nielson as Liesl, Alex Martin as Friedrich, Molly Craft as Louisa, Eoin O’Connel as Kurt, Rose Wiklund as Brigitta, Sammy Bower as Marta, Lisa Slavin as Gretl, Dan Burke-Perez as Rolf, Molly Gould as Elsa, Matt O’Brien as Max, Alec McCulloch as Herr Zeller, Elizabeth Manser as Baroness Elberfield, Chris Howard as Baron Elberfield, Mike McGowan as Admiral von Shreiber, Lilly Gillette as New Postulant, Nuns were played by Krysta Desper, Sarah Prescott, Melanie Roy, Karley Collins, Meghan Mercier, Melody Wiklund, Contestants were played by Ciara Larence, Lilly Gillette, Somaiya Rowland, Emily Rhodes, Jaime Hall, Sarah Tierney, Justin Hackenson, Sarah Prescott and Elizabeth Manser.

PIT ORCHESTRA

Directed by Marsha Ledoux, Amarie King on Flute, Kevin Harris and Myles Turner on clarinet, Jesse Arsenault on bassoon, Mr. Oliver MacFadden and Matthew Burke on trumpet, Kurt Robakiewicz and Aram Taft on Trombone, Rachel Plante on piano, Evan Tamagni on Bass and Tim Brien on drums.

CREW LIST

Director/Choreographer – Elizabeth McCarthy, Music Director – Marsha Ledoux, Backstage Manager – Grant Moyer, Stage Ninja’s – Ashley Whitmore, Jesse Charpentier and Alisha Colaianni, Costumes – Evelynn Slavin, Spotlight Warriors – Matt DeVane and Nathan Amero, Sound – Marquis Earl.