These days, the hills of Ladysmith are alive with the sound of Joshua Buffie.
The 12-year-old resident is preparing for his role as Kurt Von Trapp in the South Island Musical Theatre Society’s production of Sound of Music, which opens Friday.
“I’m a tiny bit nervous, but I’m feeling pretty pumped about it,” he said.
Buffie and his fellow cast members have been in rehearsal for the production since September.
He said he learned about the auditions mere days before and was surprised, but excited, to learn he had made the cut.
The production is Buffie’s first major role on the big stage, but he has been in several school plays, including a performance as the villain in Dirty Work at the Crossroads at the Port Theatre. He also had a part to play with the Yellowpoint Drama Group’s production of Don’t Shoot, We’re British, in a Fawlty Towers sketch in March 2011.
Sound of Music, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, is set in Austria in the 1930s and tells the story of Maria, who is failing her attempts to become a nun. She is sent to the home of Georg von Trapp to become a governess for his seven mischievous children, who have scared away each of Maria’s predecessors. In time, her kindness and sense of wonder wins them over — as well as their father Georg. The lives of the characters are then changed by the threat of war, and the story ends with their escape to freedom.
Buffie said he has enjoyed the vocal training and experience that has come along with performing in Sound of Music. He says his character Kurt has required a lot of energy on stage.
“He’s kind of a fun character to play because he’s the youngest boy, so in the dances, he gets to do the fun stuff,” he said.
Sound of Music is the sixth SIMTS production under long-time member Maria Ridewood’s direction. It is being choreographed by Cathy Schmidt.
“Some [musicals] you get tired of afterwards, but this is one of the ones you don’t get tired of,” said Ridewood. “It’s a perennial favourite; every song’s a good one.”
Audience members can expect the classical show favourites like Do-Re-Mi and Lonely Goat Herd and will enjoy accompaniment by a full orchestra at the Cowichan Theatre.
The 26-piece orchestra is the largest the society has ever used and is under the direction of musical director Hilary Coupland.
“It’s not very often that you get to hear a musical with a live orchestra,” she said.
Ridewood says she has had a wonderful time working with young Joshua and is looking for other projects to involve him in, in the future.
“I’d love to direct him again,” she said. “Josh is delightful; he’s been a real treat to work with.”
Buffie is a Grade 7 student at Ecole Davis Road, and he will be missing a French Immersion exchange trip to Quebec to fulfill his role in Sound of Music.
“I think it’s definitely worth it,” he said.
Sound of Music plays at the Cowichan Theatre in Duncan Feb. 3-5 and 10-11.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for SIMTS members. For more information, contact the box office at 250-748-7529. For opening night, adult tickets are $20; student tickets are $8.
There will also be two performances at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on March 3 and 4. Call the box office at 250-754-8550 for information.
