CUTC Presents “The Sound of Music”
Champaign-Urbana Theater Company (CUTC) is back with a production of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, The Sound of Music. Presented by the Champaign Park District, the show runs Thursday, August 1, through Sunday, August 4, at the historic Virginia Theatre.
The final collaboration between composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, The Sound of Music contains a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and of course the title number. Premiering in 1959, the musical won five Tony Awards. The subsequent 1965 film adaptation starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer later scored five Academy Awards and etched the musical onto the hearts of the masses.
Set in Austria in 1938, The Sound of Music is loosely based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp. It follows the vivacious postulant, Maria, who struggles to abide by the convent's rules. She leaves the abbey to serve as governess to Captain von Trapp's seven children. Bringing music and joy to the household, Maria eventually softens the heart of the imperious Captain, and the two fall in love. But Naziism soon takes hold in Austria, and the family must make a harrowing escape across the Alps.
We spoke with the creative team of CUTC’s production to learn about their involvement in the show and their relationship with this beloved musical. (Responses have been edited lightly for clarity.)
Whitney Havice – Director & Choreographer
Whitney Havice is a Champaign native who grew up studying dance and performance. Her first musical theatre experience was with CUTC at the Virginia Theatre in 1994. Since then, she’s performed in, choreographed, or directed over 70 shows with multiple theatre companies, schools, and venues across central Illinois and the Chicago area.
Have you directed, acted, or otherwise participated in a production of The Sound of Music before?
I have! I performed in The Sound of Music the last time CUTC produced the show in 2004 as a nun soloist.
What is your first memory of The Sound of Music?
My first memory of The Sound of Music was watching the 1965 movie at my grandparents’ house growing up. I was so enamored with the “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” scene and the big dance break with Liesl and Rolf! Some of my most cherished memories are watching classic Rodgers and Hammerstein movie musicals and singing the songs with my family—they awakened my early love of musical theatre.
What is your favorite number from the musical and why?
I have had different favorites over the years based on my own life stages! “My Favorite Things” was a comforting song that I used to sing to myself (or my mom and grandma would sing to me!) as a child when I was feeling sad or unsure about something, and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” was definitely up there as well as my love of dance developed. If I had to choose, I’d say that “Climb Ev'ry Mountain” is my current favorite. It speaks to me and the challenges and obstacles we all encounter in life (adult life, in particular), and the hope and encouragement that we sometimes forget we can find in ourselves or our community to help us overcome those challenges.
Have you discovered anything new about this beloved musical in doing this production?
The Sound of Music can sometimes be dismissed as a feel-good or “fluff” piece without a lot of substance. After working on this particular production, it’s really reaffirmed for me that the themes of strength in family, self, and community in the face of hardship (whether while dealing with personal loss or the evils that humans can inflict on each other and the world around them) has really revealed that, at its core, its messages of hope and love are essential to the continued perseverance of humankind.
Dave Ivy – Music Director
Dave Ivy has worked with CUTC for over a decade, serving as either an orchestral musician or music director/conductor. (Read our interview with him last year here.) Coming from a music education background, Ivy was a public-school band and chorus teacher for 14 years in four school districts before accepting an accounting position with the University of Illinois College of Media. He has continued to perform and conduct in his spare time. His many instruments include bass trombone, tuba, tenor trombone, euphonium, and bass guitar.
Have you music directed, played in the pit, or otherwise participated in a production of The Sound of Music before?
I previously played tenor trombone and euphonium for a production of The Sound of Music at GCMS High School in Gibson City, IL. The upcoming CUTC production will be the only time I’ve music directed the show.
What is your first memory of The Sound of Music?
I remember watching the 1965 movie version on TV in the mid-1970s, shortly after I began my 50 years as an instrumental musician.
What is your favorite number from the musical and why?
That’s a tie between the title song with its beauty and positivity and “My Favorite Things” because there’s a great pop version of it I like a lot.
Have you discovered anything new about this beloved musical doing this production?
While researching the story, I came across information on historical inaccuracies of both the show and movie, which I found interesting.
Nicole Morgan – Vocal Coach & Mother Abbess
Nicole Morgan came to Champaign in 2004 to get her masters in opera performance. During her studies, she met her husband, and they decided to stay in the area to raise their children. Now that her kids are a little older, she has performed in and music directed a few shows for CUTC. After auditioning for the role of Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, director Whitney Havice asked if she would be the assistant vocal director to help with the children.
Have you performed or otherwise participated in a production of The Sound of Music before?
No. This is my first time performing in a production of The Sound of Music.
What is your first memory of The Sound of Music?
Every Christmas, the Julie Andrews version of The Sound of Music was televised. My mom would make some popcorn, and we would watch it together.
What is your favorite number from the musical and why?
Anything with the children singing. I think the children are what make this story so amazing.
Have you discovered anything new about this beloved musical doing this production?
When I was younger, I would sing this music at the top of my lungs because I just loved it. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized this story is so much deeper than fun music. It’s amazing that in 1959 a musical was written about a blended family trying to escape a country so they could live a safe and happy life. Rodgers and Hammerstein were really ahead of their time.
Be sure to book your tickets for CUTC's production of The Sound of Music here.
