The Grosse Pointes are alive with ‘The Sound of Music’

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — The boards are usually silent over the summer, as community theaters close the curtain on their season in the spring and reopen in the fall.

For Grosse Pointe Theatre, however, that’s not the case. Not only is it staging a play this summer, it’s staging its largest show of 2021-22 with a production of the well-loved classic “The Sound of Music,” which will run June 24 to July 3 in the auditorium at Parcells Middle School in Grosse Pointe Woods.

“This is our biggest show since we returned from COVID,” said Patricia Ellis, of Grosse Pointe City, who is handling publicity for this musical.

A cast of 35 and a crew of 19 have been tasked with bringing “The Sound of Music” to life for local audiences. Based on a true story, “The Sound of Music” is about Maria, an aspiring nun sent to become the governess of widowed Austrian Captain Georg von Trapp’s seven children shortly before the Nazi takeover in 1938. The musical features iconic songs by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Audiences are likely most familiar with the 1965 movie version starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, but the stage production includes songs not seen in the film.

“This is one of the most beloved musicals of all time,” director and choreographer Tim Higgins, of Royal Oak, said.

Vince Matia, of St. Clair Shores, is the choir director at Grosse Pointe South High School. He noticed that auditions for “The Sound of Music” were in the middle of technical week for his school’s production of “Into the Woods” — that’s the intense week of final rehearsals before a show opens — so he asked if his students could audition for the GPT show later. At the last minute, Matia decided to audition, as well, alongside his students. He was cast as one of the leads, Captain von Trapp.

“It is a show that I love — I played Rolf in high school,” Matia said. “And I’m doing it now as an adult.”

Annie Kordas, of Grosse Pointe Farms, plays Maria.

“I grew up watching the movie,” Kordas said. “It was very special to my mother and my grandmother.”

Kordas has played Liesl von Trapp twice — once for GPT, when it last produced “The Sound of Music” 20 years ago — and used the Latin music sung by the nuns in her wedding.

Kordas is also excited because she’s in the show with her daughters: Sloane Kordas plays Gretl von Trapp, and Cecile Kordas plays Marta von Trapp. Charlotte Cullen, of Grosse Pointe Woods, also plays Gretl and Anna Steiger, of Grosse Pointe Shores, also plays Marta; the young actresses alternate performances.

The cast also includes Jennifer Noel, of Ann Arbor; Christina Jarad, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Benjamin Ackley, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Reese Straske, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Silas Beckett, of Grosse Pointe Park; Jude Beckett, of Grosse Pointe Park; Frank “Scott” Davis, of Royal Oak; Sarah Milano, of Farmington Hills; Carl Ghafari, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Gabrielle Duso, of Grosse Pointe Farms; MaryLynn Bertetto, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Jacqueline Pfaff, of Chesterfield Township; Erin DiSante, of St. Clair Shores; Peter DiSante, of St. Clair Shores; Rob Bertetto, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Sean von Schwarz, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Gordon Richardson, of Grosse Pointe Park; Soula Burns, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Danielle Vogler, of Grosse Pointe Park; Alexa Baxt, of Grosse Pointe City; Shelby Holley, of Royal Oak; Julie Baumer, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Mary Ann Bury, of Grosse Pointe City; Sophie Leszczynski, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Olyvia O’Donnell, of Grosse Pointe Farms; Darline Crawford, of St. Clair Shores; Bridget Healey, of Eastpointe; Maria LaRose, of Grosse Pointe Woods; and Julia Pressman, of Cottrellville Township.

Many in the cast are children. Ellis said about 70 of the roughly 105 people who auditioned were kids. Former GPT Board President Theresa Selvaggio, who observed the auditions, took the time to write a note to every child who wasn’t cast, focusing on their specific talents and encouraging them to continue their theatrical pursuits, said Chris Kaiser, of Grosse Pointe City, who’s producing this show.

Kaiser said Higgins has become known for his special touch with big shows like this one.

“He is one of the best, most serious directors, who requires you to dig deep as an actor,” Kordas said.

Matia said he’s having some “proud papa moments” seeing some of his students shine in this show.

“This is one of the reasons why I love doing community theater,” Matia said. “It’s nice for the kids to see me in a different light.”

From faith to family to love to a daring escape, “The Sound of Music” covers a lot of emotional terrain.

“It’s a show for all ages,” Ellis said. “It will tug at the heartstrings.”

GPT officials couldn’t know last year when they selected “The Sound of Music” for this season that it would be timely, but as Higgins noted, there are “direct parallels” between the von Trapp family fleeing Austria from the Nazis to the millions of Ukrainians who’ve had to flee their homeland since Russian troops invaded earlier this year.

“It’s poignant, and it’s uncertain,” Higgins said.

In response to the war in Ukraine, GPT is collecting new personal hygiene items at each production of “The Sound of Music.” The items will be donated to Troy-based Samaritas’ New Americans refugee resettlement program in southeast Michigan. Items needed include shampoo and conditioner for adults and children, deodorant, toothpaste for kids and adults, facial cleanser, feminine hygiene products, toothbrushes, mouthwash, razors, shaving cream, lotion, lip balm, soap, toilet paper, flushable wipes and washcloths.

“There will be containers in the lobby at each performance to collect the items,” Ellis said by email. “We wanted to do something to show support and engage our members and patrons in the process. This is a family show, and we hope many families and children come to see our production. Donating personal hygiene items is something manageable children and families can do to help other children and families who need to leave their homeland and start new somewhere else — just like the von Trapp family in ‘The Sound of Music.’ It may seem like a little thing, but we hope it has a big impact.”

Parcells Middle School is located at 20600 Mack Ave. (at Vernier Road) in Grosse Pointe Woods. For tickets or more information, visit www.gpt.org or call (313) 881-4004.