Once a staple on the Mill Mountain Theatre main stage, it’s been 15 years or more since The Sound of Music has been presented at the Center in the Square venue. But its back this year through Sunday, December 22 as the first Holiday season show on the Trinkle main stage since Mill Mountain reorganized as a leaner organization and the Center in the square makeover was finished.
The Sound of Music has done boffo box office too, to use an industry parlance – including some weekend sellouts. Producing managing director Ginger Poole, who for a while was the only paid staff person at Mill Mountain, said that the current production “is the first full scale professional production that we have done back on the Trinkle [stage].”
The two previous plays on the Trinkle main stage since the curtain went up again at Center in the Square (The Marvelous Wonderettes, 39 Steps) were much smaller in scope. “As far as a cast of 31 people and an orchestra of six this is the first big venture we’ve done back on the Trinkle,” noted Poole, who took an acting turn herself in The 39 Steps, based on a Hitchcock movie, acquitting herself quite nicely.
There’s a built in audience for The Sound of Music notes Poole – many have seen the Julie Andrews mid 60’s film version, saw a previous stage production or perhaps were even in a version of the cherished musical back in high school.
“Its got that appeal that goes across the board – any age can connect with The Sound of Music.” Poole calls it Mill Mountain’s “homecoming show.” The response has been “tremendous,” as noted by the brisk box office business. Early in the run Poole called ticket sales “insane.”
Poole added that the response from Roanoke’s live theater community for Mill Mountain Theatre has been very supportive. The smaller 115-seat Waldron Stage reopened about two years ago after some remodeling and has hosted more experimental avant-garde works. As for the Trinkle reopening, “[there’s] been so much gratitude for the endurance of the staff and board [of directors], to give this theater back to the community. Its been missed.”
The Trinkle main stage seats almost 350 people in comparison to the smaller Waldron space. People can now reserve specific seats and the newly remodeled atrium outside the theater space livens it up a bit. “Everything is new and shiny, and wonderful,” said Poole; “there’s a lot of perks to being back in the Trinkle.”
Mill Mountain will produce fewer plays with a smaller staff – that was one goal of the organization after it ran into financial difficulties and shut down several years ago. “We’ve gotten our ducks in a row,” said Poole, “and our house in order. We’re giving the theater back to our community and it feels good to have the support [of local patrons].”
That support includes the phone calls, e-mails and people who stop Poole in the street or in the lobby during intermission, to tell her how thankful they are to have the Mill Mountain Theatre curtain come up again. “The appreciation of having Mill Mountain Theatre back and in full operation feels very good – we’re very proud. It feels good to be back in the Trinkle.” Those who get to enjoy The Sound of Music through this weekend or take in another show later on this season may feel the same way.
By Gene Marrano
