Two groups of von Trapp children in the uniforms their father insists upon before Maria’s arrival.
Everyone who has seen The Sound of Music on stage or screen has been entranced by the children. Ballina Players has cast two highly-talented von Trapp families from the 64 outstanding young people who auditioned for their coming production.
Director Di Ennew has decided that to reduce the load on the children, the two groups will share the 18 performances by appearing on alternate days. The only exception is Daisy Valerio who plays Liesl, the eldest of the von Trapps.
The children are motherless and have managed to frighten away a succession of governesses with pranks such as putting toads in their beds. All that changes with the arrival of Maria (Lilli Lowry), a lively and song-loving postulant sent from the nearby abbey for some time out after doubts about her suitability as a nun.
Maria transforms the lives of the children as she encourages them to sing and to play. Her own life changes with the arrival of Captain von Trapp (Mike Sheehan).
A number of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s well-loved songs are performed by the children. They include Do Re Me, The Lonely Goatherd, My Favourite Things and So Long, Farewell.
The Sound of Music will be staged at the Players Theatre from June 14 to July 6, with evening performances at 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. There will be a Saturday matinee on Saturday July 6. For this production only, tickets will be available at the ABC Centre, River Street, phone 6686 2436. Tickets are selling fast.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
