'The Sound of Music' will take the stage at SHS on May 6

'Maria' teaches the 'Von Trapp children' the logic of 'Do-Re-Mi' in 'The Sound of Music' at Stafford High School. Photos by Lauri Voter.

The Stafford High School Drama Club is now in dress rehearsal and tirelessly preparing for the May 6 curtain call of its spring musical production, “The Sound of Music.”

The play and music are under the direction of Laurie Dillon, whose daughter, Julie Dillon, plays the role of Maria alongside Thomas Maynard as Captain Georg Von Trapp, Kylie Vaughn-Keuhl as Baroness Elsa Schraeder and Wesley Boucher as Max Detweiler.

Each member of the ensemble is adorned in eye-catching costumes, as they portray a cast of characters that include the Von Trapp children, Rolf Gruber and the sisters of Nonnberg Abbey.

Laurie Dillon explained that the drama club alternates each year between productions that are science/fantasy-based, such as “Beauty and the Beast,” which was performed last year, or thought-provoking and meaningful stories. Another of Dillon's goals is to choose productions that have not yet been performed at SHS. This year, “The Sound of Music” fit the parameters.

According to Laurie Dillon, the production is on schedule and going well.

“Even though we missed 10 days, we started a month early,” said Dillon.

The band consists of musicians who are current Stafford students, or who are alum of Stafford schools. Members of the set, lighting and sound crews are also all Stafford students.

“They are without a doubt the greatest group of kids,” said Dillon, who also said that the students all get along and seem to be like real siblings.

This year's production will have some interesting things in store for the audience.

“I have human goats tap dancing to the 'Lonely Goatherd,'” said Dillon. In addition, in her role as Maria, Julie Dillon will wear her mother's own wedding dress during the marriage scene, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Therese Fishman will make an appearance in the production, singing and dancing, as she plays one of the lead nuns.

Costumes for the show were either bought or made. "The nun costumes were all made by a mom. We don't rent, we buy,” said Dillon, who said that one of her goals for the drama club is to build a costume closet.

Dillon said she appreciates the endeavors of the Drama Booster Club. "Any time I need something, they step up to the plate," she said.

“The Sound of Music” will be performed in the Stafford High School auditorium on May 6 and 7 at 7 p.m., and May 8 at 1 p.m. Pre-performance dinner events will be held on May 6 and 7, from 5 to 6:15 p.m., in the SHS cafeteria. On May 6, the Stafford Lions Club will sponsor Lasagna Night ($8), and on May 7 the Drama Boosters will sponsor Taco Night ($8).

Tickets for the performance, which cost $8 per student, $8 per senior and $10 per adult, will be available at the door, or in advance from Village Boutique and Stafford High School.

Contact Lauri Voter with story ideas at lvoter@remindernet.com.