Akron Symphony to make Blossom Festival debut with 'Sound of Music'
When "The Sound of Music" plays as the special season finale for the Blossom Music Festival Labor Day weekend, it'll be the Akron Symphony Orchestra performing live onstage.
Sixty-two Akron Symphony Orchestra members will play in the semi-staged, live musical production at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 and 4, which marks the Akron Symphony's Blossom Music Festival debut. They'll be playing the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein score for "The Sound of Music," one of the most popular stage and film musicals of all time, under the baton of Broadway conductor Andy Einhorn.
Bringing the roles of Maria, the von Trapps and the other characters to life will be students from the Baldwin Wallace University musical theater program in nine named roles as well as the nun ensemble, local child actors and additional professional talent. The production is directed by Victoria Bussert, director of the musical theater program at Baldwin Wallace.
Paul Jarrett, executive director for the Akron Symphony, said Andre Gremillet, president and CEO of the Cleveland Orchestra, offered the "Sound of Music" opportunity to the Akron orchestra in late July.
"We've sort of had an ongoing open dialogue ever since he started just in looking for ways where the two organizations can support and help each other, and, if there's an opportunity to do so, to collaborate," Jarrett said. "Andre called at the end of July and said, 'I think I have the perfect opportunity to do something together,' and presented this opportunity."
Jarrett gladly accepted.
Back on tour
The Cleveland Orchestra will be on a nine-city European tour in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic Wednesday through Sept. 16, touring Europe for the first time since 2018.
Jarrett said debuting at the renowned Blossom festival is a big point of pride for the Akron Symphony.
"It's incredibly exciting for the musicians and for the whole organization to be able to play in our own back yard. It's a world-class venue, and it's obviously the home of the Cleveland Orchestra, and to be there on a program that is being presented by the Cleveland Orchestra, it's a huge endorsement of our musicians and the talent in our area," Jarrett said.
The Akron Symphony previously performed a stand-alone concert more than 20 years ago at Blossom Music Center but this is the first time the ensemble has performed in the Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival.
The Akron Symphony musicians are looking forward to working with conductor Einhorn as an ensemble for the first time and collaborating with student singers from Baldwin Wallace's renowned musical theater program.
"It's thrilling to be working with people who are just half a step away from stardom," said Jarrett, who said working with the BW musical theater program has been on the Akron Symphony's bucket list.
The week of the show, the Akron Symphony will have two rehearsals with Einhorn before a dress rehearsal with the full "Sound of Music" cast.
Cost is $26 for lawn seats, $36-$121 for pavilion seats. Two free under-18 lawn seats are offered with each adult lawn ticket purchased. See www.clevelandorchestra.com.
Over the years, the Akron Symphony has performed a number of semi-staged musicals in its concert seasons, including "West Side Story," "Porgy and Bess," "South Pacific" and "Titanic."
More:'West Side Story' a momentous event
"I think it's a strength that we bring to this, is that we've regularly staged these types of musicals, so our musicians are adept at being a theatrical orchestra," Jarrett said.
More:Review: Akron Symphony’s ‘South Pacific’ lushly beautiful
Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Symphony excited for Blossom Festival debut in 'Sound of Music'
