Lyric Theatre opens summer season wtih 'Sound of Music'

Lyric Theatre will open its 2008 summer season of musicals on Tuesday with “The Sound of Music,” presented for the first time at the Civic Center Music Hall. “The Sound of Music” plays from Tuesday, June 24, through Saturday, June 28.
When Lyric Theatre moved the summer season to the Civic Center Music Hall in 2002, the company looked forward to presenting musical favorites in new ways. “The move to the Civic Center was a rebirth for Lyric,” said Nick Demos, Lyric artistic director. “‘The Sound of Music’ is certainly one of the most beloved musicals of all time, and at the Civic Center we can experiment with staging, special effects and mood, and make audiences feel like they’ve never seen the show before. All of us can experience it in an entirely new way.”
Demos, who directs the show, will put special emphasis on the historical context during which “The Sound of Music” takes place. “Everybody enjoys the fun, frothy love story between Maria and Captain von Trapp, and we cheer for the new governess when she wins over the children,” Demos said. “But the true story of this family is most appealing when considered alongside the obstacles they had to overcome.”
One of Lyric’s trademarks is bringing in Broadway actors, directors and designers to work with Oklahoma talent. “The Sound of Music” stars Broadway actress Marissa McGowan (“Les Misérables,” “Cosette & Eponine”) as Maria and actor Edward Watts (national tour of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “Adam”) as Captain von Trapp. Douglas Ladnier (Broadway: “Jekyll & Hyde”) joins the cast as Max.
Maria and the Captain may hail from New York City, but the seven performers portraying the von Trapp children were born and raised in Oklahoma and are students in Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy musical theater training program. Jillian Bumpas (Chava in Lyric’s 2006 production of “Fiddler on the Roof”) will perform as Liesl, and the younger von Trapps include Joel Anderson, Phoebe Mitchell, Tristan Gfeller, Caitlin Belcik, Heather Newby and Alexandria Grable.
The role of the Mother Abbess will be played by Tulsa native Jackie Reichman, who enjoyed a Broadway career several decades ago before returning to Oklahoma. Reichman also performed this role in Lyric’s last production of “The Sound of Music” in 2001.
In another tribute to local talent, this 2008 production will feature 28 women from the metro area who have volunteered their time portraying the nuns of Nonnberg Abbey and singing in the nuns’ choir. Their participation is instrumental in allowing Lyric to create a cathedral effect at the Civic Center.
“The Sound of Music,” which opened on Broadway in 1959, was the final collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and went on to become one of the world’s most popular musicals.
Tickets are priced from $22 to $52. Senior discounts, student discounts and group discounts also are available. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and a 2 p.m. matinee Saturday as well. Tickets are available online at www.lyrictheatreokc.com, by phone at 524-9312 or 1-800- 364-7111, or in person at 1727 NW 16th St., Oklahoma City.
The 2008 season continues with productions of “Swing!,” “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” and “Urinetown, the Musical.”