Curtain Call: A look at what’s happening on the local theater circuit

‘Sound of Music'

"The Sound of Music" opened last night in Stowe.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Broadway opening of the famous musical, first produced at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Nov. 16, 1959. It is also the first time this century that the Stowe Theatre Guild will present this dramatized tale of Stowe's most famous family, the von Trapps, who run the Trapp Family Lodge.

Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse based the musical on Maria von Trapp's first book, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers."

Maria is a novice who leaves the convent to take care of the children of a widower, Captain von Trapp, in the years before Germany annexed Austria. Together they overcome the challenges posed by life, love, and the Nazis. Many of the details of the show - such as the captain's true character and how he cared for his children, as well as how the family left Austria - have been changed for dramatic purposes.

As sponsors of this show, the von Trapps provide audience members with a unique opportunity to learn the real story behind this famous family.

Stowe Theatre Guild productions often partner with community non-profits to spotlight a cause closely related to that show. The community partner for "Sound of Music" is Stowe High School's Nordic ski team. Trapp Family Lodge had the first cross-country center in North America, and the von Trapps are dedicated to making certain that Stowe's Nordic athletes can continue racing, even though the Nordic program was cut from the school budget.

Stowe Theatre Guild will offer a 50 percent match to all donations given at these shows to the Nordic team in an effort to help raise enough money for the upcoming winter season.

Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 4 at the Town Hall Theatre, 67 Main St. Tickets are $22 for reserved seats at www.stowetheatre.com, 253-3961, or tickets@stowetheatre.com; or $20 at the door starting at 6 p.m. on show nights, if still available.

Cole Porter auditions

The St. Johnsbury Players will hold auditions for the Cole Porter musical "Kiss Me Kate" tonight, Thursday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Johnsbury Middle School.

Actors may bring 16 measures of their own music to sing, or sing a selection from the show that will be taught at the auditions. In addition, there will be cold readings from the script. Actors should be 20 years old and up. There are about 10 leading roles and parts for an additional 12 to 15 more actors.

Show dates are Nov. 5, 6, 12, 13, and 14.

Anyone unable to attend the auditions or would like more information can contact director Jacki Scott at 603-837-9324; jacki_scott@hotmail.com.

Vermont Stage

Friday, Aug. 20, is the deadline to take advantage of Vermont Stage Company's offer to new season subscribers: adding a pair of coupons, each good for one free ticket to any regular season show, except for "Winter Tales."

The 2010-11 shows are "The Glass Menagerie," "Oliver Twist," "Underneath the Lintel" and "Sylvia." Information: 862-1497; www.vtstage.org.

E-mail theatrical news, notes and photographs to Evelyn Wermer Frey by Friday at 5 p.m. at community@stowereporter.com, or mail to P.O. Box 489, Stowe, VT 05672.