Whitinsville Christian School To Perform The Sound of Music

Monday, April 15, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Rodgers and Hammerstein's famous story to be portrayed yet again in expert form.

The Whitinsville Christian High School Drama club will be presenting three separate performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein's acclaimed musical The Sound of Music, taking place on April 25, 26, and 27 respectively. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. Each performance begins at 7 pm.

The Musical's Important Meaning

The musical will feature a cast of 40 Whitinsville students, with additional students and adults on set, stage and tech crews, and a live pit orchestra. The well-known story tackles powerful themes regarding war, family, God, the meaning of life, religion and spirituality, all centering around the famous Von Trapp family, and invites one to think about the profound issues surrounding the tragic and tumultuous real-world events of World War II and the holocaust.

"Students are challenged to think about each character and that character’s role in historical events, what the character may have been feeling and what that looks like as we study the history surrounding the time of the story," says Mary Dykstra, the Drama Director for Whitinsville Christian School.

"The Sound of Music is a well known and loved piece of work. The music is fantastic and the story is based on actual events. While every story is changed for stage, the experience of the VonTrapp family, and families like them are always worth exploring. It is a wonderful thing when one of these stories can be displayed through this venue."

The Mission of Whitinsville Christian

WCS’ mission is to foster the academic, spiritual, personal, social and physical development of students. Drama, especially through family-friendly musicals like this one, has a unique power to help accomplish this goal, by delving into fictional characters' own struggle to develop these qualities in their own lives. Fiction often presents deeper truths than one kind find in non-fiction by giving an actor, viewer, reader or listener the chance to walk in someone else's shoes and thereby reach a deeper understanding of both one's own soul and greater historical and current events.

"WCS has a reputation for producing wonderful plays and musicals. The talent of the student body continues to amaze me as the director. It is an honor to work with these students and adults and it will be a wonderful production for anyone who loves this particular musical or theater in general," says Dykstra.

Whitinsville's past performances include Willy Wonka, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Seussical, The Music Man and The Wizard of Oz.

A Unique High School Performance

All involved promise to put on a unique and exciting show that one may not expect from your average high school drama club and should interest the public-at-large.

"Our drama club transforms our space. We use all areas of our space, surprising the audience in many unique ways, including beautiful sets, a live pit orchestra, a backstage crew and a wonderful cast, about 75 people, all coming together to put on this show. For a small school, we have an excellent program that is supported by all," Dykstra remarks.

"The WCS drama program crosses the lines of other high school groups, bringing together athletes, musicians, artists, actors, dancers, technicians, singers, and more. It is truly a unique experience."

For more information on the Whitinsville Christian School and the drama club specifically please click here or find them on Facebook. Whitinsville Christian School is located at 279 Linwood Avenue in Whitinsville.