SCERA hills will ring with 'Sound of Music'

OREM — The sloping hill that provides grass seating for most of the SCERA Shell productions and concerts is coming in more than handy for the "Sound of Music" show.

It provides a wonderful backdrop for Maria — the would-be nun, played by Brigham Young University student Allyson Edvalson, who instead becomes the mother to an Austrian family — and becomes the mountain for the von Trapp family to ascend in the end.

"Yes, of course, we're making very nice use of the setting with the natural hill," director Jerry Elison said. "Maria sings her opening number on the hill, and at the end, the family, they'll disappear into the darkness. It's very effective."

Elison said the setting, combined with a "very nice cast," rich, recorded orchestration and original costuming by Heather Rae and Christine Price, along with strong vocals from members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the cast, make for a production he's proud to direct.

"I think it's going to be a nice show, a good one for families," he said.

The cast includes experienced actors like Edvalson and actors new to the stage like Stephen Burchett, a Cedar Hills veterinarian who plays the widowed naval Captain von Trapp.

"We have a good mix of the experienced and the new, but that's community theater," Elison said.

Burchett is thrilled to be part of the cast.

"I love it," Burchett said. "It's great particularly because I can identify with Captain von Trapp and how he hated the Nazis."

Burchett said the stage play is a bit different from the film, and songs that were originally cut have been added back.

Also, his daughter Katherine is the understudy for Brigitta, so father and daughter will both be on stage at least for one night.

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If you go

What: "The Sound of Music"

When: 8 p.m., Aug. 4-20 (no Wednesdays)

Where: SCERA Shell Outdoor Amphitheater, 699 S. State, Orem

How much: $10-$14

Phone: 225-2569

Web: www.scera.org

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E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com