Behind the curtain
Sneakiing a peek att The Sound off Mussiic
HARRISON KEELY Sentinel Writer

Harrison Keely/ Sentinel Photo Brian Barrentine, Michael Lindsey and Janice Minette rehearse a scene for the upcoming Licklog Players production of "The Sound of Music."

Actor after actor has been scolded on opening night for taking a peak behind the curtain to see what was on the other side. It's unprofessional to see if every seat is sold out by just separating the scarlet curtain enough to peer out.

However, it is precisely that kind of curious behavior that drives a journalist, and, peeking behind the curtain from the opposite direction before a show can't be a bad thing, can it?

I visited a rehearsal for "The Sound of Music" on June 27, the first day the cast was expected to be "off book" for act two, lines memorized and prepared. From my perspective, the show looks to be off to a great start. The theater just installed a new sound system, which will even further improve the audio quality of each show.

The VonTrapp family has been cast very well, thanks to Director Nancy Davis with each of the children bringing a unique character to the stage.

Above: Captain Von Trapp (Brian Barrentine) leads his family in music: Liesl (Michelle Stewart), Friedrich (Alex Drost), Louisa (Carly Payseur), Kurt (Trevor Barber), Brigitta (Katherine Byxbee), Marta (Julia Lindsey) and Gretl (Aspen Fine).

The set, though in early stages, appears very promising with use of multiple levels in addition to the use of the side "wings" of the stage.

Those who have never watched any version of "The Sound of Music" could easily surmise that the show must have quite a bit to do with, well, the sound of music. The logical afterthought? Any production so focused on such a concept would certainly not succeed without a cast of talented musicians and vocalists.

Indeed, Davis and cohort Paul Dyer, the musical director, have rounded together just that. Actors from local communities like Franklin, Murphy, Brasstown and even north Georgia merge their voices into such a wonderful sound that there's no doubt the show, produced by Edie Kleinpeter, will be triumphant at the box office.

To comment on this article, e-mail Harrison at hkeely@gmail.com.

Left: Director Nancy Davis. Above left: The sound manager tests a new system. Right: Desiree Lulay (Maria Rainer) takes a break from studying lines with Karl Snow (Rolf Gruber) and Tom Payne (Baron Elberfeld). Michael Lindsey plays a game with the children in the show. Below: Maria enjoys a laugh with the children.