Staff Reports
GREENFIELD — Ricks-Weil Theater Company is proud to announce its 2015 season commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The company will honor veterans and those still in the service with the classics, “The Sound of Music” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.” In gratitude for their service, all veterans will be recognized at each performance.
First up for the summer, the company will present the Tony Award-winning and audience favorite “The Sound of Music.”
When a young nun proves too high-spirited for 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, and they marry.
Upon returning from their honeymoon, they discover that Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland on the eve of World War II has been lauded as one of the most inspirational finales ever presented in the theater.
The motion picture version remains popular as well, and “The Sound of Music” celebrates its 50th anniversary on the silver screen this year.
Children’s auditions (under 16) will be May 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Children should fully prepare any song from “The Sound of Music” for their audition. Provide sheet music if possible. An accompanist will be provided. Children should be prepared to read from the script and demonstrate some stage movement.
Adult auditions (16 and up) are slated from 7 to 9 p.m. May 20.
Adults should prepare at least 16 bars of a song from any show and provide their own sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Adults should be prepared to read from the script and demonstrate some stage movement.
Following “The Sound of Music,” Ricks-Weil will stage the Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning “The Diary of Anne Frank,” helmed by director Kathy Hoefgen.
Based on a true story, the “Diary of Anne Frank” chronicles the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic, told with the help of diary entries of a young girl.
Auditions are scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 16 and from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 17.
Adults and children should prepare a 2- to 3-minute, age-appropriate monologue for their audition and be prepared to read from the script.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to all auditions, rehearsals and performances.
