J*COMPANY CONTINUES SEASON OF

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN MUSICALS WITH

The 50^th Anniversary Production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC 

LA JOLLA, CA – The award-winning J*Company Youth Theatre, a program of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, is pleased to announce its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ever-popular THE SOUND OF MUSIC.  The production will run March 4-21, 2010, at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre.  

Based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, the final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical.  When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain.  She gradually captures the hearts of both children and father. The family’s narrow escape from the Nazis over the mountains to Switzerland provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre.  The musical includes some of the greatest musical theatre pieces ever created such as “Climb Every Mountain,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and “Edelweiss.”  Just like brown paper packages tied up with string, this J*Company 50^th Anniversary production will prove to be one of your favorite things.

“J*Company is alive with The Sound of Music. I can’t believe that we have been in existence for 17 years and have never previously brought this show to life,” said Joey Landwehr, J*Company Artistic Director. “After record breaking attendance at auditions for this show (over 200 young people), I am proud to say that we have collected one of the finest and largest casts of The Sound of Music ever assembled, consisting of 98 young artists, with choreography by Deven P. Brawley.”

“We have also topped ourselves with the largest orchestra to ever be assembled on the J*Company stage,” said Landwehr.  “Tim McKnight will conduct a professional orchestra of 23 fine young musicians.” 

Landwehr is directing THE SOUND OF MUSIC.  He has worked extensively as an actor and director in New York City, both on and off Broadway, as well as in national tours and regional theatre.   He has studied under such instructors as Betty Buckley, Marcel Marceau, Francis Sternhagen, F. Murray Abraham, Twyla Tharpe, and has had the privilege of working with great performers such as Phyllis Diller, Sam Harris, Joel Grey, Kaye Ballard, Michael Feinstein and Howard Keel.  Landwehr is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA). Landwehr was honored in 2006 by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine as one of the 40 San Diego residents under the age of 40 who are making significant contributions to the community.  Landwehr most recently directed Into the Woods, the World Premiere of Fireflies: The Story of the Artists of Terezin,Featuring the Original Children’s Opera BRUNDIBAR, South Pacific, and The King and I for J*Company. 

Heading the cast of THE SOUND OF MUSIC are: 

Ali Viterbi                     Maria                           17            San Diego Jewish Academy

Scott Peterson              Captain von Trapp            14            San Diego High – School of the Arts

Mother Abbess            Naomi McPherson            16            High Tech High International

Darien Sepulveda            Max Detweiler            16            High Tech High International

Danielle Smotrich            Baroness Schrader            17            High Tech High International

Maddie Houts              Liesl                             15            Canyon Crest  Academy

Zachary Herzog Rolf                              16            Westview High School

Josh Shtein                   Friedrich                      13            Standley Middle School

Celia Tedde                  Louisa                          12            San Diego Cooperative Charter School

Jesse Carpentier            Brigitta             16            Julian Charter School

Myles Collinson            Kurt                             14            The Bishop School

Brooke Posnock            Marta                           11            La Jolla Country Day

Sierra Lieb                   Gretl                             9            Sage Canyon Elementary

Show Dates and Times: 

Thursday, March 4, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. (School Show)

Saturday, March 6, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 7, 1:00 & 4:30 p.m.

Friday, March 12, 10:00 a.m. (School Show)

Saturday, March 13, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 14, 1:00 & 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 18, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 20, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 21, 1:00 & 4:30 p.m. 

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Movie Musical Sing-A-Long 

Join J*Company for a magical movie experience and bring the entire family!   Watch THE SOUND OF MUSIC (the movie) on the big screen at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, as you sing-a-long, clap-a-long and following the bouncing ball to lyrics.  First 50 attendees receive a special goodie bag on that night!  

Dress up as your favorite character from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and sing along with the film.  A prize will be awarded for best costume. Admission price is $8.00/JCC members and $10.00/Non-members with half off for season subscribers; Season Subscriptions available until December 13, 2009. 

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Movie Musical Sing-A-Long will be held on Thursday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m.

General Information 

Tickets for THE SOUND OF MUSIC are $13 for children and $17 for adults and are available online at www.sdcjc.org/jcompany or by calling the JCC Box Office at 858-362-1348.  The David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre is located at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla.