LHS’s production of the 1965 musical classic, The Sound of Music, opens in one week. The film was one of the most popular films of the ‘60s and won numerous awards. In The Sound of Music, Maria Rainer, played by Christy LaGrotta (12), is sent from her Austrian convent by Mother Abbess, Pyper Reynolds (12), to the challenging task of caring for the seven Von Trapp children.

Auditions were held prior to Winter Break, and the cast of nearly 100 has been rehearsing daily since Jan. 3. Two elementary school students, Abigail Isom and Megan Mayer, are playing the youngest Von Trapp children. Rehearsals have been excellent according to P.J. Barbeau, director and Communication Arts chair.

"The Sound of Music is a family classic. People know the songs so they enjoy them and know what to expect. We have beautiful singers, the pit sounds great, and the sets are beautiful," said Barbeau.

Pit Orchestra, conducted by Sue Rola, music teacher, also rehearses with the cast after school. Sets were designed by David Blackwood, and his set design and construction crew and class.

Although the Von Trapp family is originally Austrian, the cast includes actors of varying ethnicities, such as Indian students Anita Shastri (11) and Neil Shastri (9) and a Peruvian, Matt Chavez (11) playing Von Trapp children.