Chandler ‘Sound of Music’ Opens

The Von Trapp children sing with their nanny Maria (played by Sarabeth Hamberlin) during the Tuesday night dress rehearsal for "The Sound of Music." The musical, with a cast of 110 teenagers and children from a dozen towns, will play Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon. Ticket information is at 8020728-6464.

For the past two weeks, Chandler Music Hall in Randolph has been a busy place, with more than 120 students from 27 area schools preparing this year’s Fourth of July weekend production of "The Sound of Music." Performances will be July 3, 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. and July 6 at 2 p.m.

By 9 a.m. each weekday, rehearsals have begun in as many as three different locales, and run until 5 p.m. After that, the hall becomes a production workshop, with costumers in the basement making pieces, altering garments, and inventorying, while up on the main stage, carpenters are busy creating mountains, an abbey, and a mansion. By 11 p.m. most nights, the hall gets a rest for a few hours.

"It’s become a familiar scenario over the past 10 years," reminisced Charlie McMeekin, the show’s director. "It is so satisfying to me to see young people make this place their home for two weeks. I especially like lunchtime, as new friends sit out on the front steps and in the grass to just enjoy a few of their favorite things, friends and food!"

This year’s production promises to be memorable, according to McMeekin, who noted that, "Our nuns, led by Christine Meagher as the Mother Abbess, are truly ethereal, and open the show with a real punch. But the audience gets no chance to relax, as Sarabeth Hamberlin, who has the role of Maria, immediately showcases her beautiful voice. And then it’s the von Trapp children. I don’t think any director has had the privilege of working with such a fun and loving group of kids. I’d make them all part of my family in an instant!"

The beauty doesn’t end there, according to McMeekin, who added, "We have redone the festival scene to feature our teen and elementary choruses, and they both are amazingly talented. If you’ve never heard a wall of sound, this is your opportunity!"

This year’s sets have been designed by Gregory Crawford of Gaysville, who also led the crew that built them. A familiar name because of his years of work with the White River Valley Players in Rochester, Crawford has given the show a memorable, professional look.

"When you consider all of the volunteer work that goes on with this production, from ticket sellers, to folks who loan props and build sets and play in the orchestra and find costumes and paint and saw and design, we probably have close to 300 people involved," McMeekin said. "This is a don’t miss opportunity. Practically everyone who draws a breath has seen ‘The Sound of Music,’ but you’ve only got four chances to see Randolph’s own production, and it will be memorable!"

Tickets may be reserved by calling 728-9878 or stopping by the Chandler box office between 3-6 p.m.

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