Briarcliff MS Presents 'The Sound of Music'

Students from Briarcliff Middle School are preparing for a lively performance of “Getting to Know…The Sound of Music.” The famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is available in a shortened, hour-long version tailored for a middle school age group. However, one aspect of the story could not be changed without losing the essence of the drama – the shadow of the Nazi occupation of Austria in 1938 – and that fact resulted in critical conversations with the student cast that have resonated beyond the rehearsal room.

“Although ‘The Sound of Music’ is one of the most beloved, family-oriented musicals in history, many students wanted to know how we would represent the occupation in the play,” said director Ian Driver. “ We had to discuss ways to present the antagonists in the play in a manner that is appropriate in a middle school environment.”

The students asked to have a conversation with Principal Susan Howard, who asked them to share their thoughts on appropriate representation of all the characters in the play.

“It was an incredibly impressive and rewarding afternoon,” said Driver, “and very revealing of the empathy and maturity of the middle school students involved in the production.”

Alongside the famous songs, like ‘So Long, Farewell,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the audience will be able to read student responses to the history in the story and hear explanations on staging that will, as a result of group decision-making, refrain from any use of historic imagery that might cause offense.

Seventh-grader Giovanni Culotta, who will play the role of Rolf Gruber, said, “We are surely aware of the fact that we are portraying Nazi characters and do not want to offend anyone with our performance. But aside from that, I hope everyone can enjoy all of the other fun aspects of ‘The Sound of Music.’”

“The show is really about the freedom that comes through free expression and specifically music,” said Driver, and accompanying the serious discussion is a tremendous amount of enjoyment and fun.

After all, the school corridors are reverberating with the Sound of Music.

“Getting to Know…The Sound of Music” has music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book written by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, and is suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp. At Briarcliff Middle School, the production is directed and produced by Ian Driver, with musical direction by Regina Leon, technical direction by Jim Britt, choreography by Davyd H. Suber, Jr. and costume design by Karen Altabef. The parent producer is Betty Ng-Beckler.

The performances will take place in the Middle School Little Theatre at Briarcliff Middle School on June 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. and June 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through Friday, June 2 at noon. All tickets are $10 online at www.showtix4u.com. For questions about tickets, contact bng88@aol.com.

Photos courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District (Tickets are now available for the Briarcliff Middle School production of “Getting to Know…The Sound of Music,” which will run from June 2-4.)