Engadine Comes Alive with The Sound of Music

Engadine Musical Society’s production of classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music, from August 17, marks the return to the EMS stage after a six-year break of Kerrie Hartin in the role of the Mother Superior.

Kerrie was just nine years old when she first saw the movie of The Sound of Music. It added to her growing love of all things Rodgers and Hammerstein who remain, to this day, her favourite composers of musical theatre.

Twenty years later she was cast as Maria in The Regals Musical Society’s 1986 production – a role that she still counts as one of her favourites.

In 1994, Kerrie again visited the von Trapps – this time as the wealthy and sophisticated Baroness Elsa Shraeder in EMS’s second production of the show. She loved the opportunity to play a “not so nice” character and the chance to wear the glamorous clothes the role called for.

Reverend Mother gives her the “trifecta” as Director, Sue Bunt, told her when announcing the cast. “Reverend Mother is a role I have wanted to play,” Kerrie says. “

The challenge of learning the Latin lyrics and finally wearing the full habit is something I have looked forward to for some time. It’s wonderful to be on stage again.”

The Sound of Music reunites Kerrie with Lynley Fuller who takes on the demanding role of Maria. The two appeared together in EMS’s 2002 production of Cinderella in which Lynley played the title role and Kerrie her Fairy Godmother. 

“The relationship between to the two characters in The Sound of Music is not unlike the one we shared in Cinderella,” Kerrie says. “In a way the Reverend Mother is a fairy godmother to Maria in that she makes it possible for Maria to meet and marry the man she loves.”

Kerrie goes on, “It helps that Lynley and I get on very well together. I have known her since she joined the society in 1997 at the age of 15. I have watched her grow up; I have directed her in a number of shows and we worked together as Director and Choreographer on EMS’s 2004 production of big, the Musical.  She’s a very talented young woman and it is a joy to play opposite her.”

Performances take place at Engadine Community Centre, 1040 Old Princes Hwy, from August 17 – 26, 2012. Bookings: 1300 616 063.

Performances

Friday 17 August @ 8pm

Saturday 18 August @ 2pm & 8pm

Sunday 19 August @ 2pm

Wednesday 22 August @ 8pm (school students receive tickets for $20 this performance only)

Friday 24 August @ 8pm

Saturday 25 August @ 2pm & 8pm

Sunday 26 August @ 2pm

www.engadinemusicalsociety.com.au

Images: (top) Maria and the Children (left to right) Stephanie-Kate Bratton (Liesl ), Gus Noakes (Friedrick), Melissa Donnelly (Louisa), Lynley Fuller (Maria), Jordan Fuller (Kurt), Alexis Hutchinson (Brigitta), Phoebe Vinciguerra (Marta) & Bella Thomas (Gretl) (middle) Kerrie Hartin (Reverend Mother) and Lynley Fuller (Maria) and (lower) Stephanie-Kate Bratton (Liesl) and Andrew Fuller (Rolf).

More Reading

Community Theatre Seasons 2012 - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/community-theatre-seasons-2012

More Community Theatre - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre