The hills will be alive in Oswego County during the weekend of Feb. 28 when the Hannibal High School Music Department presents “The Sound of Music.”

The play’s music was written by Richard Rogers and the lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Shirley Terrinoni is the musical director at the high school and The Sound of Music is her sixth musical production at Hannibal to date. One of the unique features of this year’s play is that six middle school students join the cast and another is working as the costume mistress for the production.

More than 20 students auditioned to play the von Trapp children. “It was not an easy decision,” Terrinoni said. “Everyone did a wonderful job, and it was extremely difficult selecting only six for the children roles.”

The von Trapp family is cast as follows: Senior Corina Cudebec as Maria; senior Steve Nappa as Captain von Trapp; senior Kristie Bramer as Leisl; Thomas Schaperjohn as Friedrich; Spencer Kenny as Louisa; Brandan Jordan as Kurt; Elyssa Terry-DeRycke as Brigitta; Page McKenzie as Marta; Rachel Herrmann as Gretl; and Emily Weldin as the Mother Abbess.

The students are hard at work, practicing four nights a week in preparation for opening night. These rehearsals including working on acting, singing and choreography.
“We’ve been fortunate not to have many snow days,” Terrinoni said, noting that this was not the case last year. “It’s a good thing, it’s a very demanding musical.” She pointed out that the cast is much larger than last year’s play, “Grease.”

Terrinoni has enlisted numerous community members to assist her with the production including teachers, former teachers and former students. “By no means are we able to do all the work ourselves. We have parents involved with scenery construction, making costumes and lending furniture and props,” she said.

There are also numerous students who paint the sets, secure the props and work as the stage crew. Junior Holden Foley, the stage manager, commands a crew of other six students and makes sure the stage lights and curtain details are in place. “The devil is in the details, but once everyone knows his role, things actually run quite well,” Foley said.

There are two performances of “The Sound of Music,” the first Feb. 28 and then second Feb. 29 both at 7 p.m. in the Lockwood Auditorium. Tickets may be reserved by calling 564-7910 ext. 4132 or by e-mailing jcurrier@hannibalcsd.org and leaving your name, number, day of performance and the number and type of tickets needed. Tickets will not be sold at the door prior the performance and must be paid for and picked up by Feb. 26.

Tickets can be picked up at the high school on Feb. 11 and 12 from 5-7 p.m.
Last years Grease was sold out both nights and it is expected the same may happen this year.

A special raffle will be held for a two-night stay at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt. The stay was donated by descendants of the Trapp Family Singers, the family The Sound of Music is modeled after. The family eventually settled in Vermont after fleeing the German occupied Austria during World War II. Tickets may be purchased during the evening of the performances and the drawing will be held on March 1.