The cast of Clackamas Repertory Theatre’s (CRT) August production of “The
Sound of Music” has had an extended time to consider their roles, as the show
had been cast prior to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Director Jayne
Stevens noted that the performers, including Merideth Kaye Clark as Maria
Rainer and Leif Norby as Captain Georg von Trapp, have put in a lot of work
during their wait.

“I think there’s a really nice energy in the room because of that,” Stevens
said. “Everyone is excited to be back doing musical theater.”

The show, one of the classic musicals from the 20th century, offers the story
of Maria, a governess for a large family who falls in love with the widowed
father, Captain von Trapp, with the two attempting to flee the Nazis. Many
theatergoers will be familiar with the show, featuring music by Richard
Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Howard Lindsay and
Russel Crouse, either from its numerous stage productions or the 1965 film
starring Julie Andrews.

Stevens noted that it is a challenge to mount such a well-known musical,
balancing between giving the audience what they know and want and also
presenting it in their own way. But she also added that the themes in the
musical, including how some people have the means to leave where they live
when it gets too difficult and others don’t (reflected in the current invasion of
Ukraine), as pertinent to the world today.

“A lot of people didn’t have money and didn’t escape,” Stevens said, adding
that the show is also centered around a woman and what her options are in
the world. “There’s a lot of meat to ‘The Sound of Music,’ and I think
sometimes people forget about it.”

Stevens, who has performed in two different productions of the show in her
youth, noted that the music, including classics such as “Edelweiss,” “My

Favorite Things” and “Do-Re-Me,” offers a “beautiful choral sound that you
don’t always get in a musical.”

Stevens added that the show and the CRT season are dedicated to Janice
Osterman, who passed away before being able to see this musical produced at
the theater. Janice and her husband, Jim, have been major sponsors of CRT
since the first season, in 2005.

“The Ostermans have been such huge supporters of Clackamas Repertory
Theatre from the start,” Stevens said, noting that the first Friday show,
normally opening night, will be a sold-out performance for Jim and his family
and friends.

The CRT presents “The Sound of Music” from Aug. 4-28, at the Osterman
Theater on the Oregon City campus of Clackamas Community College, 19600
Molalla Avenue in Oregon City. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday
and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. A low-cost preview performance will
be held on Thursday, Aug. 4. Children under the age of six will not be
admitted.

For more information, visit clackamasrep.org or call 503-594-6047.
Audience members will be required to wear masks and provide proof of
vaccination to attend performances. CRT’s COVID-19 policy is subject to

change and can be viewed online, at https://www.clackamasrep.org/tickets-
events/covid-19/.