Whitworth Theatre and Music Departments Collaborate on "The Sound of Music"
The entire cast will be led by Whitworth music and theatre alumna Ann Benson ’94, who makes her directorial debut this fall. She returns to the stage in tribute to one of her mentors, the late Pat Stien, Whitworth associate professor emerita of theatre.
“I’m still in touch with several of my music and theatre
professors and, especially with the recent passing of Pat Stien, it has felt
meaningful to put to use in this way the skills and knowledge I gained at
Whitworth,” Benson says. “I have found the cast to be creative, hardworking and
hilarious – rehearsals are a total blast!”
She also has a special mission in mind.
“Whitworth theatre students really love doing work that has
social relevance and so, when I was offered the opportunity to direct The
Sound of Music, I was asked to help the students connect with it on that
level. Examining the script through that lens, that relevancy emerged very
quickly. Each of the main characters in Sound
of Music lost everything they had come to count on, but embraced a new
path. Similarly, each of us has experienced that same seismic shift in
circumstances in the past three years – some of us temporarily, some of us not
so – because of the pandemic.”
Also returning to the Whitworth stage is theatre alum and Saint
George’s School music teacher Cynthia Romoff ’91, who is coaching the actors
playing the Von Trapp children.
Philip Baldwin, Whitworth professor
of music, started this semester by teaching his students all the musical
numbers. The symphony orchestra strings is made up of about 20 student
and professional players who will play behind the actors during the entire
production.
Xiaosha Lin, Whitworth’s director of choral activities, is
preparing the Forest Treble Choir to fill the roles of the nuns chorus.
“It doesn’t get any better than Rodgers and Hammerstein for
orchestral musical theatre; one beautiful, memorable piece after another played
by a full, live orchestra filling the theatre,” says Scott Miller, Whitworth director
of vocal studies and Sound of Music
musical director. “This music is for everyone… young and old. The Sound of Music is a true classic. It
stands the test of time and it bears repeating!”
The production runs Oct. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.; and
Oct. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Kim Dawson, theatre department program assistant, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3707 or kdawson@whitworth.edu.
Trisha Coder, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
