|by Kacie Galloway |The Sound of Music is a beloved classic that has been enjoyed from generation to generation. Many people immediately think of young Julie Andrews and stern Christopher Plummer when they hear the show's name, causing them to often come into the show with certain expectations of how the play will be performed.
"Our responsibility as artists is to make people feel something and transcend expectations," said Director Casey Hushion, who will be returning to Casa Mañana where she directed other Broadway shows, including Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors. Her goal with this year's production of Sound of Music is to make people fall in love with the classic story once more.
"The point is, it is a wonderful story," she said. "I think many of us get into this business because we love to tell great stories. I know that is true of myself, so I am especially excited to have the opportunity to rediscover this one. I want to make it feel alive and new. I hope the viewers will lose themselves all over again."
In order to live up to people's expectations and keep the play fresh and inviting, every detail must be executed to perfection, with much of the action taking place behind the scenes.
Casa Mañana's costume designer and wardrobe supervisor Tammy Spencer, who is working on the production as well, faces this challenge. While the show may be an old favorite that most are familiar with, that does not by any means imply that the show is easy to put on.
"It's a pretty steady show backstage," said Spencer, "with lots of clothes and lots of pieces. I like busy shows. It gets your adrenaline going."
Casa Mañana performed The Sound of Music a few years ago, so many of the costumes are already in stock. Minor alterations and additional pieces may be necessary of course, but the real work comes in putting everything together.
During the design run, Spencer and the other designers dealing with wigs, makeup, lights and sound watch a run-through of the show and write down every detail. Spencer and the other dressers must know whether costumes need to be set on stage right or stage left, which lights will be used in a scene so that the costumes are not washed out and a myriad of other background details. However, it is a combination of all these seemingly small or tedious chores that make the show the beloved musical that it is.
"It truly takes a team," Spencer said.
The Sound of Music
Performance Dates: Sept. 20-28
Casa Mañana
3101 W. Lancaster Ave.
casamanana.org
817.332.2272.
