Asolo Rep Announces Casting for Josh Rhodes Helmed THE SOUND OF MUSIC Cast Features Broadway's Maddie Shea Baldwin, Tally Sessions, Liz McCartney and Ann Morrison
(SARASOTA, October 15, 2019) — Asolo Repertory Theatre proudly kicks off its highly anticipated 2019-20 season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This Tony Award®-winning musical sensation will be directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes (Broadway: Bright Star, It Shoulda Been You, First Date, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella). Rhodes returns to Asolo Rep where he previously directed and choreographed the theatre's record-breaking smash hit production of Evita in 2017 and Guys and Dolls in 2016. THE SOUND OF MUSIC previews November 13 - 15, opens November 16 and runs through December 28 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC tells the timeless coming-of-age story of Maria, a young, free-spirited nun who longs to find her true purpose beyond the walls of the Abbey. When she is sent off to be a governess to the strict Captain von Trapp's seven troublesome children, she brings much-needed love and joy to the family, the Captain and her own heart. But when the epidemic rise of Nazism threatens their country and newfound happiness, the von Trapps must choose between the home they know and love and a life of uncertainty. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in the American musical theatre canon ("My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and "Edelweiss"), THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a must-see musical celebration perfect for the whole family this holiday season.
The cast is led by Maddie Shea Baldwin (Maria Rainer), who made her Broadway debut as an original cast member in Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's Bright Star. She also appeared in the First National Tour of Bright Star. Regionally she has appeared at Arts Emerson, the Kennedy Center, the Old Globe and more. Tally Sessions (Captain Georg von Trapp) has appeared on Broadway in Anastasia, War Paint, Falsettos, School of Rock, Big Fish, The House of Blue Leaves and Paramour. Liz McCartney (the Mother Abbess) previously appeared in Working at Asolo Rep. Her Broadway credits include My Fair Lady, Sunday in the Park With George, Annie, South Pacific, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera and more. Ann Morrison (Frau Schmidt/Ensemble) originated the role of Mary Flynn in the Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along.
The von Trapp family includes Sophia Cavalluzzi (Brigitta von Trapp), Tyler Gevas (Kurt von Trapp), Angelina Huh (Gretl von Trapp), Judah Immanuel (Friedrich von Trapp), Raina Lynn Khatami (Louisa von Trapp), Allie McLaughlin (Marta von Trapp) and Sophie Lee Morris (Liesl von Trapp).
Kate Loprest (Baroness Elsa Schraeder) has appeared on Broadway as Allison in First Date, Amber in Hairspray, Xanadu, Wonderland and The Drowsy Chaperone. Darren Matthias (Max Detweiler) has appeared in tours of The Sound of Music, The Who’s Tommy, Seussical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond. The cast also features Marc Bitler (Ensemble), Kristin Carbone (Sister Berthe/Ensemble), Cole Doman (Rolf Gruber/Ensemble), Adrianne Hick (Sister Margaretta/Ensemble), Samone Hicks (Ensemble), Alex Jorth (Baron Elberfeld/Admiral von Schrieber/Ensemble), Nick Locilento (Franz/Ensemble), Rob McCaffrey (Herr Zeller/Ensemble), Amber McNew (Ursula/New Postulant/Ensemble), Trina Mills (Ensemble), Creg Sclavi (Ensemble), and Kristin Renee Young (Sister Sophia/Ensemble).
“THE SOUND OF MUSIC was the final masterwork of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and remains in many ways their most impactful musical,” said Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. “What makes it uniquely powerful is the way it brilliantly juxtaposes a story of love, family and personal transformation with the dangers of resisting the implacable force of the rise of Nazism. With the incomparable Josh Rhodes at the helm, this production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC will be stunningly beautiful and musically transporting. The whole production will feel utterly new.” Director and choreographer Josh Rhodes will also choreograph the world premiere of Knoxville, created by Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Frank Galati, at Asolo Rep this April. On London’s West End, he choreographed Carousel at the English National Opera and Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson. He previously choreographed Barnum, Working, My Fair Lady, and Yentl at Asolo Rep. His other directing credits include Grand Hotel (NY City Center Encores!), The Who’s Tommy (Kennedy Center), Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville (the Old Globe) and more.
"THE SOUND OF MUSIC finds romance, joy and personal politics in the middle of one of the worst chapters of our globe’s history," said Josh Rhodes. "Darkness starts to fall over Austria, as one family finds love and music just in time for it to save them. It is a story that asks us to find what we believe in and then stand up for it. Climb a mountain if you have to. The brilliant music pulls you in with its masterful melodies and lyrics, and the story leaves you laughing at one moment and chilled in the next. It is spectacular musical theatre, and everything the audiences in Sarasota expect from Asolo Rep."
Asolo Rep will proudly host a special Family Day at THE SOUND OF MUSIC on Saturday, December 7, when families can take part in activities that explore the world of the musical prior to the performance, experience the performance with discounted tickets, and join a post-performance discussion with the cast. Throughout Asolo Rep’s run of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, the theatre will provide more than 700 students access to the world-class production through student matinee performances and public performances.
CAST
(In Alphabetical Order)
Maddie Shea Baldwin*......................................................Maria Rainer
Marc Bitler.............................................................................Ensemble
Kristin Carbone.............................................Sister Berthe/Ensemble
Sophia Cavalluzzi....................................................Brigitta von Trapp
Cole Doman*.....................................................Rolf Gruber/Ensemble
Adrianne Hick*.........................................Sister Margaretta/Ensemble
Samone Hicks.......................................................................Ensemble
Tyler Gevas...................................................................Kurt von Trapp
Angelina Huh................................................................Gretl von Trapp
Judah Immanuel.....................................................Friedrich von Trapp
Alex Jorth*...............Baron Elberfeld/Admiral von Schrieber/Ensemble
Raina Lynn Khatami..................................................Louisa von Trapp
Nick Locilento*.............................................................Franz/Ensemble
Kate Loprest*.................................................Baroness Elsa Schraeder
Tally Sessions*................................................Captain Georg von Trapp
Darren Matthias*..............................................................Max Detweiler
Rob McCaffrey.......................................................Herr Zeller/Ensemble
Liz McCartney*.................................................................Mother Abbess
Allie McLaughlin.............................................................Marta von Trapp
Amber McNew.....................................Ursula/New Postulant / Ensemble
Trina Mills*........................................................Ensemble/Dance Captain
Sophie Lee Morris*............................................................Liesl von Trapp
Ann Morrison*......................................................Frau Schmidt/Ensemble
Creg Sclavi.................................................................................Ensemble
Kristin Renee Young*............................................Sister Sophia/Ensemble
*Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. † Dance Captain ≠ Appears courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
SELECTED CREATIVE TEAM MEMBERS
Director and Choreographer...........................................Josh Rhodes
Scenic Designer....................................................Paul Tate dePoo III
Costume Designer...........................................................Loren Shaw
Lighting Designer.............................................................. Cory Pattak
Sound Designer...............................................................Josh Millican
Hair/Wig & Make-up Designer.........................................Michelle Hart
Music Supervisor & Additional Arrangements..................Sinai Tabak
Music Director......................................................Jordon Cunningham
SELECTED ARTISTIC BIOS
MADDIE SHEA BALDWIN* (Maria Rainer) made her Broadway debut as an original cast member of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's Bright Star. First National Tour: Bright Star. Regional: Born for This (Arts Emerson); Bright Star (Kennedy Center); Back Home Again (Lesher Center); Ace (The Old Globe). New York: Flying Over Sunset (Playwrights Horizons); TRIAL (Vineyard Theatre); Ladyship, A Wall Apart (NYMF); Emergency (Summerfest).
LIZ McCARTNEY* (The Mother Abbess) last appeared at Asolo Rep in the 2008 production of Working. Broadway: My Fair Lady, Sunday in the Park with George starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Annie, South Pacific, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Dance of the Vampires, and the Boy George musical Taboo. Tours: Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Wicked, Les Misérables, and The Phantom of the Opera. Regional: Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Pirates! The Musical, Mary Poppins, Souvenir, and The Music Man. TV: Bull, Murphy Brown, The Blacklist, Route 66, The Prosecutors, and Law and Order: SVU.
JOSH RHODES (Director/Choreographer) is thrilled to be back at his “artistic home.” At Asolo Rep, Josh directed both Evita and Guys and Dolls, and choreographed Barnum, Working, My Fair Lady, and Yentl. Other directing credits include Grand Hotel (NY City Center Encores!); The Who’s Tommy (Kennedy Center); Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville (the Old Globe); Paint Your Wagon, Jersey Boys (the Muny); Guys and Dolls (the Old Globe); Spamalot (5th Avenue Theatre); Show Boat (Bucks County Playhouse); and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. He also choreographed the Broadway productions of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, It Shoulda Been You, First Date and Bright Star. On London’s West End, he choreographed Carousel at the English National Opera and Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson. Other choreography credits include Company starring Neil Patrick Harris and Sondheim: The Birthday Concert (PBS) and the U.K. tour of Doctor Dolittle. Rhodes is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
TALLY SESSIONS* (Captain Georg von Trapp) Broadway: Anastasia, War Paint, Falsettos, School of Rock, Big Fish, The House of Blue Leaves, Paramour. Tours: South Pacific, Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Off-Broadway: Giant (Public Theater); Queen of the Mist (Transport Group); Anyone Can Whistle (Encores!); Yank! (York Theatre). Regional: leading roles at The Old Globe, the Kennedy Center, Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed, Signature Theatre, the Muny, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre. Awards: two Carbonell Awards, Denver’s Henry Award, two Helen Hayes Award nominations, Connecticut Critics Circle nomination. TV: Elementary (CBS); Falling Water (USA).
PUBLIC PROGRAMMING
The Scoop (FREE)
Arrive one hour before curtain to hear the ideas and inspirations that contributed to the making of THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Opening Night, November 16, is excluded.)
Tuesday Talkbacks (FREE)
November 19, 26, December 3, 10, 17
Asolo Rep's Mezzanine
Join us for an intimate post-show discussion with featured actors following every Tuesday performance of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Inside Asolo Rep: THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Thursday, November 21 at 11am
Cook Theatre
10:30am: Enjoy coffee and light bites by Muse at the Ringling, and visit the Designing Women Boutique Pop-Up Shop
Panel discussions are $5; and free for all donors at the Cherubim Angels level and higher and Asolo Rep Guild Members.
Get rare insights into the artistic process, hear directly from the people responsible for producing THE SOUND OF MUSIC and engage in stimulating discussion inspired by the plays' themes and issues.
Inside Asolo Rep is sponsored by Muse at the Ringling, Designing Women Boutique and The Observer.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC IllumiNation Event
Saturday, November 23 at 1pm; performance at 2pm
Pre-show reception and a post-show community conversation held on the Mezzanine
Performance in the Mertz Theatre
Contact Asolo Rep's Box Office for series package information and single performance tickets.
A stimulating series of theatre and conversation exploring the topical and social themes threaded throughout our season. IllumiNation events begin one hour prior to curtain with a reception on the mezzanine, continue with the performance, and conclude with a conversation.
The IllumiNation series is made possible, in part, with support from the Koski Family Foundation, Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering, and The Observer.
OUT@AsoloRep: THE SOUND OF MUSIC [Sold Out]
Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30pm; show starts at 7:30pm
Asolo Rep's Mezzanine
Contact Asolo Rep's Box Office for subscription and ticket information.
Now in its 10th season, OUT@AsoloRep is Sarasota's premier cultural event connecting local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities with fantastic theatre. Enjoy a pre-show reception and learn about participating LGBT organizations, and gain personal insight into THE SOUND OF MUSIC from the creative team and cast members.
OUT@AsoloRep is sponsored by Morton's Gourmet Market & Catering, CAN Community Health and Sabal Palm Bank.
Family Day at THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Saturday, December 7 at 2pm; pre-show activities at 12:30pm
Asolo Repertory Theatre
Tickets are $68-$100 for a family of four. Additional children’s tickets can be purchased for $17-$25. One ticket must be for a patron under the age of 18.
Enter the Promo Code TRAPPFAM to unlock Family Day pricing and seats!
Follow the von Trapp family in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and enjoy pre-show activities from local community partners. Families of 4 can sit in the best seats in the house for $100! (almost 75 percent off of full price tickets).
THE SOUND OF MUSIC Family Day is made possible, in part, with lead support from Community Foundation of Sarasota County and additional support from the Koski Family Foundation and Publix Super Markets Charities.
Sunday Salon (FREE)
Sunday, December 8
Asolo Rep's Mezzanine
Reflect on your experience through a lively and informative post-show discussion following select Sunday matinees in the Mertz and Cook Theatres. Featuring members of Asolo Rep’s Artistic Department and special guests.
TICKETS
Tickets for THE SOUND OF MUSIC and the entire 2019-20 Asolo Repertory Theatre season are on sale now. Tickets for THE SOUND OF MUSIC start at $33.
Subscriptions for the season are also on sale.
To purchase tickets, call 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, visit www.asolorep.org, or visit the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre. Asolo Repertory Theatre is located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts.
The Box Office is open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm through October. Beginning November 1, the Box Office is open Monday 10am – 5pm, Tuesday – Thursday 10am - 7:30pm, Friday – Saturday 10am – 8pm, and Sunday 10am – 2pm. The box office closes at 5pm when there are no evening performances and phone lines close one hour prior to the start of any performance. Season subscription packages are also available online and by visiting or calling the box office.
SPONSORS
Asolo Rep is able to present THE SOUND OF MUSIC because of the generosity of its sponsors. The corporate sponsors for THE SOUND OF MUSIC are Plumbing Today, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Magazine, ABC 7, WUSF Public Media, and Michael's on East, with additional support from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Asolo Rep 2019-20 Major Season Sponsors are Florida State University, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Huisking Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Designing Women Boutique, The Exchange, and Sunset Cadillac of Bradenton. Asolo Rep’s artistic programs are paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax revenues.
ABOUT ASOLO REP
Now in its 61st season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep’s highly skilled acting company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 10 productions each season including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep’s ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and community programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations.