Tuning up for ‘Sound of Music’

With its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of

Music,” Laguna Beach’s No Square Theater will be living up to its

name, founding director Bree Burgess Rosen said.

Although Saif Eddin, a successful entertainer known on the club

scene from Long Beach to San Diego, is directing the show, the real

power will rest in the baton-wielding hand of chorus director Linda

Haylett, Rosen said.

“Miss Linda is most famous for her outstanding work with local

children, by way of her dance school, Miss Linda’s Castle,” Rosen

said.

And, she added, Haylett will give the audience all the singing

direction they need.

“Not singing loud enough on those yodels? She’ll have you belting

out your lay-hee-hoo’s,” Rosen said with a grin. “But try singing a

note with a soloist? Miss Linda will tolerate no bad habits.”

The concept is Saif’s, and it promises not only mountains of fun

but “all the lovely moments for which the show is famous,” Rosen

said. The script remains untouched, and performer in the principal

roles will deliver their parts without hitch or kitsch.

“Only the chorus numbers will get your goat, or let you sing like

one,” Rosen said. “And, of course, you should dress the part -- be it

in habit or lederhosen -- and get a free drink.” Either a soda or a

fine wine will be offered in a tasting an hour before each curtain.

Heading the cast of “The Sound of Music” will be Yvonne Browning

as Maria, Kevin Cable as Captain Von Trapp, Karen Magdeleno as the

Mother Abbess, and Karen Jackson as Liesl. Other principals include

Toni Duncan as Elsa and Gregg Barnette as Max Detweiler.

The other Von Trapp children will be played by Casey Miller

(Friedrich), Kami Henderson (Louisa), Charlie Jackson (Kurt),

Katherine Epstein (Brigitta), Rylee Fansler (Marta) and Zara Schuster

(Gretl). Rolf will be Cooper Henderson, with chorus leader Linda

Haylett as Sister Margaretta.

For those seeking safety in numbers, No Square is putting out a

call to all choruses and choirs to join the fun. Special rates for

these groups are available by contacting the theater at

o7director@nosquare.orgf7.

“The Sound of Music” will be presented next Friday through Sunday

in the Forum Theater on the Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna

Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Tickets, at $20, may be ordered at (949)

497-1950.