By Hunter Fenollol
Members of Temple B’nai Torah’s Mainstage Players theater group will bring “The Sound of Music” to the stage in Wantagh for four performances beginning on April 25.
The multigenerational troupe, which performs one musical a year and consists of more than 40 performers ranging from children to longtime community theater veterans, will bring the beloved Broadway musical to life.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musical continues to resonate across generations through its touching story and memorable songs. Many of the performers are temple members and local residents volunteering their time on stage and behind the scenes.
The show follows Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves an Austrian convent to become governess to the seven children of Captain Georg von Trapp on the cusp of World War II. Through music and her optimism, Maria brings warmth and joy back into the household and eventually falls in love with the captain. Meanwhile, the family faces the looming threat of Nazi occupation in 1930s Austria.
The show features many well-known songs, including “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and “The Lonely Goatherd.”
Lisa Shubin, the show’s producer, said the music continues to connect with audiences of all ages.
“The music is sung by children, parents and grandparents alike,” Shubin said. “We hope the audience leaves with a smile saying, ‘That was fun.’”
Tom Reilly, the show’s director, said preparing a large community theater production requires flexibility as cast members balance rehearsals with work, school and family commitments.
“The rehearsal process is always difficult for a community theater production,” Reilly said. “For a show like ‘
The Sound of Music,’ we wanted to have a large cast to enjoy the full experience of this classic production. Everyone has busy lives, whether it’s kids with religious school and other extracurricular activities or adults with their active schedules, so we do our best to piecemeal our rehearsals together. In the end, we will present a performance that everyone will be proud of.”
Rehearsals are held Sunday through Wednesday evenings, with smaller groups working on specific scenes and musical numbers early in the process. As opening night approaches, the entire cast comes together for full run-throughs.
One musical number the cast has said it particularly enjoys rehearsing is “The Lonely Goatherd,” which Shubin described as a fun and lively piece that gives both the children and adults a chance to shine. The production brings together performers from across the temple community, many of whom have longstanding connections with one another.
Alisa Baroukh, the actress who plays Maria, said the show holds special meaning for her.
“’The Sound of Music’ is one of my favorite shows of all time,” Baroukh said. “I watched the movie almost every weekend as a child. I have never been in it, so being able to perform in this is like being given the opportunity to return to childhood.”
Baroukh, who has participated in five productions with the temple’s theater group, said the rehearsal process has helped strengthen relationships within the cast. She said it has been a dream to share the stage with her son, Elijah, 15, who plays Friedrich, as well as the friends she grew up with. Friedrich is one of the von Trapp children.
“Theater is always so effective in creating community,” Baroukh said. “We have cast members ranging in age from 8 to 80, and the crew becomes such a close-knit family. We have a great time during rehearsals.”
Brooke Myers, who plays Mother Abbess, said community theater offers a unique opportunity for people from different backgrounds to collaborate creatively.
“It’s a place to step out of your day job,” Myers said.
“Whether you’re a teacher, an accountant, a manager or a student, we all come together to create something special. Everyone involved is there because they want to be.”
Performances will take place at Temple B’nai Torah, 2900 Jerusalem Ave., on April 25 and May 2 at 7 p.m., and April 26 and May 3 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 65+, and $10 for children under 17, and can be purchased at the door, or at Facebook.com/TBTWantagh/posts/tickets-are-now-on-sale-for-performances-of-the-sound-of-music.
