Announced: The Sound of Music at Gateway Playhouse

Bellport, NY, July 17, 2019: The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will charm audiences at The Gateway with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song, “The Sound of Music.”

The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, and is inspired by the memoirs “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp. The original Broadway production debuted in 1958 led by Mary Martin and was followed by a record breaking film in 1965 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The unforgettable musical tells the story of troubled nun sent to care for 7 well off children in a strict home run by a former sea-captain.  She changes their lives forever through song and incredible heart.  

The lead role of Maria Rainer, made famous by Mary Martin and Julie Andrews, will be portrayed by Broadway and screen veteran, Brandi Brukhardt who will appear in her Gateway debut. Ms. Burkhardt’s extensive screen credits include roles in the films Some Kind of Beautiful and Confessions of a Shopaholic; as well as in reccurring roles on television series’ Odd Mom Out, Hart of Dixie, Mad Men and How I Met Your Mother.  She starred as Sophie in the Broadway smash, Mamma Mia.  

The stern and stoic Captain von Trapp will be played by Ryan K. Bailer, also in his Gateway debut.  Mr. Bailer toured as Juan Peron in the recent 1st National Tour of Evita and as Javert on the National Tour of Les Miserables.  

Principal company members include Jenny Hill as Elsa Shraeder (Broadway’s Something Rotten, Elf, Spamalot, Seussical), Tom Souhrada as Max Detweiler (Gateway’s Young Frankenstein, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Broadway’s Mary Poppins), Tracy Bidleman as Mother Abbess (Flashdance, Anything Goes National Tours), Nick Ziobro as Rolf Gruber (America’s Got Talent), Melodie Wolford as Frau Schmidt (42nd Street National Tour), Jack Doyle as Franz (Broadway’s Young Frankenstein, Dr. Doolittle, The Music Man and The Will Rogers Follies), and John Leone as Admiral Von Schreiber (Broadway’s Jersey Boys and Les Miserables).

Erin Kelly will play  “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” Liesl von Trapp, and lead two casts of von Trapp children that include Sonnie Betts, Addison Wasylyshyn, Daniel Donahue, Sage Cotter, Olivia McBride, Justino Tesoro, Clara Swinkin, Brynne Ballan, Brendyn Molnar, Allie DeMatteo, Keira Ballan and Albert Peterson.

Other roles and ensemble include Amanda Joy Loth, Ariana Valdes, Kristin Litzenberg, Megan Jane McGuiness, Veronica Decker, Michael Muenchow, Brian Veith, Jonna E Capone and Lukas Varacek.

Mitzi Hamilton will direct. Ms. Hamilton is best known for her association with Michael Bennett’s legendary A Chorus Line which she has directed previously The Gateway. She provided the inspiration for the character of Val, and performed the role in the original London Company and then on Broadway. Subsequently, she went on to direct and choreograph over fifty productions of A Chorus Line in Europe, the United States, and Asia. Ms. Hamilton’s performance career includes eight classic Broadway shows. Including Cabaret and Pippin, and was featured in the original casts of Applause, Seesaw, On the Town (Revival), and King Of Hearts. Regional theatre credits include Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and the title role in Sweet Charity. In addition to Michael Bennett, she has been directed by such legends as Hal Prince, Ron Field and Bob Fosse. Ms. Hamilton’s directing credits also include Damn Yankees, Jesus Christ Superstar, I Do, I Do, Stepping Out, Swingtime Canteen, The Boyfriend, Gypsy Grease, Sweet Charity, Ain’t Misbehavin’, 42nd Street, Evita, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cats, West Side Story, Curtains, and Bob Fosse’s Chicago.

Hosun Moon will musically direct.  Ms Moon has worked as a music director for numerous musicals at Gateway.  Her chamber music performances with numerous ensembles have been heard in Carnegie Hall, 92nd St. Y, Merkin Concert Hall, The Riverside Church, St. John the Divine, LeFrak Concert Hall in The Aron Copland School of Music, Columbia University, Hofstra Cultural Center, Union Square Park, Bryant Park, SUNY at Stony Brook, and various churches in New York area. She also worked with the San Francisco Early Music Society Baroque Music Seminars, C. W. Post Chamber Music Festival (LIU Chamber Music Festival), and currently working as a Music Director at North Country Reform Temple in Glen Cove, NY.

The original Broadway production of The Sound of Music won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Mary Martin), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Patricia Neway), Best Scenic Design and Best Conductor and Musical Director.  

The film version of The Sound of Music won the Academy Award in 1965 for Best Music, Best Director (Robert Wise), Best Sound and the Golden Globes for Best Actress (Julie Andrews) and Best Musical or Comedy Film.  

The Sound of Music begins previews on Wednesday, July 31 and has its official press opening on Friday, August 2nd with performances through Saturday, August 17th.  Ticket prices start at $59 with a special student rush price of $35 the day of performance with a valid student ID, half price tickets for youth ages 5 – 12.