Cochrane High School (CHS) will bring The Sound of Music to the stage and feature over 60 students as part of the classic production.
Originally written by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, The Sound of Music will be performed as the musical theatre version by the school’s performing arts department from March 25-28.
CHS’s production of this classic musical stays true to the original, but features a lot more depth than the movie, which marked its 50th anniversary earlier this month.
“We are really focused on telling the story and being servants of the text,” said Ben Janko, CHS’s performing arts teacher.
Janko said the fuel behind choosing to produce The Sound of Music was due to the “incredible acts of defiance” highlighted in the theme of the production, which is something he feels teenagers experience while growing up.
“We’re trying to identify the essential questions in the story and tell that story. That for me is what sets our production apart.”
The production will feature CHS students Kaleigh Jo Kirk, as Maria Rainer, and Mac Chaisson, as Captain Von Trapp. This will be Kirk’s eighth role in a Cochrane High production, while Chaisson’s second appearance.
“There’s a lot of younger people who have stepped up and gotten lead roles,” said Kirk. “I think it’s going to be amazing.”
“Everyone’s been trying really hard – there’s a good camaraderie amongst everyone,” said Chaisson.
The musical will also feature a live 18-piece student orchestra, and is reinforced with students in technical theatre and design classes.
“We have some amazing singers who are very talented,” said Janko. “I like the idea that in Cochrane we can get a lot of people out from the community – it’s a family-friendly piece.”
Tickets are available for the four-night production for $15, available through CHS in advance, or on the night of the musical.
“This (The Sound of Music) is really accessible and the most beloved musical of all time,” said Janko, “there’s no other musical that is this loved.”
