Rosebud alive with The Sound of Music
By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor
Rosebud Theatre is celebrating 50 years of art in the valley with a summer full of The Sound of Music. The classic musical, directed by Morris Ertman, opened on the Opera House stage June 2 and plays until Sept. 2.
In Austria, during the late 1930s, a young misfit nun named Maria, played by Cassia Schmidt, is sent away from her convent to be the governess of seven motherless children. Maria and the children quickly bond as they learn to sing together – and, unexpectedly, Maria also falls in love with their father.
The Von Trapp children – with winsome performances by Lacey Cornelson, Em Nelson, Logan Hope, Abby Taylor, Ella Taylor, Penny Wiley, and Rebekah Taylor, Trinity Reinhardt and Alice Krogman alternating as Gretl – are the heart of this production.
Cassia Schmidt plays Maria. Ian Farthing, new to Rosebud audiences, gives us just the right blend of sternness and tenderness as the children’s father, Captain von Trapp.
Mike Thiessen is hilarious as Max Detweiler, who wants to become famous by creating the Von Trapp singing group. Glenda Warkentin, another Rosebud favorite, gives an intriguing performance as conflicted and wealthy Elsa Schraeder, who thought she was in love with the Captain until Maria came along. Brent Gill, also new to Rosebud Theatre, stands out as Nazi Admiral von Schreiber. His angry fist-shaking over Captain von Trapp’s escape made my companion jump! Pianists Shauna Murphy and Terrah Harper weave it all together with outstanding music.
Strathmore native Travis Edwards gives a convincing performance as teenaged Rolf Gruber, the telegram delivery boy who has a crush on Liesl, the eldest von Trapp daughter.
Edwards earned a Diploma in Acting from Rosebud School of the Arts and is now studying toward a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Alberta, he said in a phone interview.
This is Edwards’ first major role with Rosebud Theatre, and it’s “really, really enjoyable” to work alongside Rosebud mentors and actors whom he watched perform as he was growing up.
The music of the production is also having a great impact on him.
“There’s so much story and resilience within the music that the family shares and elicits on that stage,” said Edwards. “It’s really impactful … it’s very moving and almost heart-stopping. It’s just so beautiful.
“All the songs come out of the story. I hope audiences can see that story along with us.”
Edwards invites residents of Strathmore and Wheatland County to experience The Sound of Music with him this summer.
“Come see Rosebud,” he said. “Come to Rosebud and see the magic on the stage.”
The Sound of Music plays on Rosebud’s Opera House stage until Sept. 2. Tickets include a buffet meal, but may also be purchased without a meal. You may get tickets and information at 1-800-267-7553 or online (www.rosebudtheatre.com).