Merced College production of ‘The Sound of Music’ to open following three-year delay

“The Sound of Music” presented by the Merced College Theater Department opens this week with two University of California, Merced professors starring in main roles, according to Merced College.

The family-friendly production, originally scheduled to open in March 2020 but canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will open Friday, March 24, with performances scheduled to take place over the weekend and into the following week, according to a Merced College news release.

Many original cast and crew members have returned for the rendition of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, directed by Merced College theater professor Lauren McCue-Bryx.

“To collaborate with such a talented group of professionals and students on this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic has been a wonderful, indelible experience,” said McCue-Bryx, according to the release.

McCue-Bryx has served as director of recent Merced College productions The Last Masquerade, an interactive haunted house, and “The Great Gatsby.” The production includes scenic and lighting design by Theater Production Lead Chad Phillips, musical direction by music professor Alexander Simon and costumes by Christine Silveira, according to the release.

The college said that for the first time, it is opening the theater doors to more than 1,200 Merced County School District seventh-graders due in part to coordinated efforts by the college’s Dean of Fine and Performing Arts and Social Sciences, John Albano, and Area Administrative Coordinator of the Arts Renee Dekker.

Performances will be held for Rivera Middle School, Cruickshank Middle School, Hoover Middle School, El Nido District, Tenaya Middle School and Le Grand Union, according to the release.

The production’s cast and crew includes local theater professionals, a recent graduate, multiple family members and two UC Merced professors.

Justin Hicks, a professor of Economics at UC Merced, will play the role of Capt. Georg von Trapp. Hicks’ children Gabriela Hicks and Michael Hicks will play the roles of Brigitta von Trapp and Kurt von Trapp.

The role of Mother Abbess will by played by UC Merced lecturer in the Global Arts Studies Program, Jenni Samuelson, while her daughter Abby Samuelson takes on the role of Louisa von Trapp.

Meg Camarda will play the role of Sister Berthe, with her daughter Shannon taking on the role of Gretl von Trapp. Pamela Quevedo is playing the role of a nun and Frau Zeller in the production, while her daughter Zairah Quevedo will play the role of Baroness Elberfeld as well as being part of the ensemble cast.

According to Merced College, professional actor Rachel Pearre will be playing the role of Maria during the production. Pearre has taken on lead roles in productions with Playhouse Merced, Merced Theatre, Prospect Theater Project as well as other theaters throughout the Central Valley.

Recent Merced College graduate Danielle Pasos, who has appeared in productions of “The Great Gatsby” and “Just Like Us,” will play the role of Elsa Schraeder.

Well-known area educators and performers such as Colton Dennis, David Hambley, Jordan Ellis, Madison Mitchell and Jeffry Jackson will take on the roles of Admiral von Schreiber, Franz, Max, Liesl and Rolf, respectively.

General admission tickets are $20; $15 for students, seniors and military. Tickets can be purchased online, according to Merced College.

Performances of “The Sound of Music” will be held on the following dates:

Friday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.

Friday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m

Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m

Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Merced College Box Office at 209-384-6284 or the Fine and Performing Arts Department at 209-386-6644.

A promotional image for a production of “The Sound of Music” presented by the Merced College Theater Department. Image courtesy of Merced College.
A promotional image for a production of “The Sound of Music” presented by the Merced College Theater Department. Image courtesy of Merced College.
A promotional image for a production of “The Sound of Music” presented by the Merced College Theater Department. Image courtesy of Merced College.
A promotional image for a production of “The Sound of Music” presented by the Merced College Theater Department. Image courtesy of Merced College.
A promotional image for a production of “The Sound of Music” presented by the Merced College Theater Department. Image courtesy of Merced College.
A promotional image for a production of “The Sound of Music” presented by the Merced College Theater Department. Image courtesy of Merced College.