Moorestown's Alive with The Sound of Music

Frankie Rowles made an embarrassing admission: As a student and devotee of theater, he had never seen The Sound of Music.

Not the stage or film versions.

He knows, he knows. How could he not? But since watching it, he’s become a believer.

“The Sound of Music is the epitome of musicals,” he said. “It’s definitely opened my eyes to a new genre of musicals, the classic musicals.”

Good thing too, since Rowles was tapped by the (MTC) to direct its production of The Sound of Music, round two of MTC’s Rodgers and Hammerstein .

After the company’s all-adult cast delighted audiences with South Pacific earlier this month, it’s the kids’ chance to have a go at another classic—one that has challenged performers since it debuted in 1959.

“Rodgers and Hammerstein had it out for people in musical theater,” said Rowles. “I’ve told the cast from the beginning … this is a really difficult show. So to have the kids take this on is a feat for how far they’ve come.”

MTC producing artistic director Mark Morgan said he was particularly excited for these fall productions given the name recognition of the shows: “Obviously you can’t beat the quality of the music, the popularity of the shows.”

South Pacific played well and he said tickets are selling quickly for The Sound of Music—as they always do for the children’s shows.

The Sound of Music boasts a cast of 80, all kids between the ages of 6 and 16. Morgan said most are 12 and younger.

Rowles, a graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, directed the summer production of Aladdin Jr. The production, his initiation into MTC, had a children’s cast of less than 60 and was much less challenging than the story of the von Trapps.

“They eased me in,” he said of MTC. “Now they hit me head-on with a cinder block.”

Despite (or perhaps even because of) the challenges, Rowles has had a great time directing The Sound of Music, as much as the children have enjoyed performing in it.

“Even if you don’t like musicals, come and see the great work these kids do,” he said. “We have some talented, talented kids.”

Tickets are on sale now for $10. The show opens at 7 p.m. Friday, with shows on Saturday (12/3) and Sunday (12/4), and next week from Friday through Sunday (12/9-12/11), at the .

For a complete list of showtimes, visit the theater company website, and for ticket information, call Annette at 856-778-8357 or email annette@moorestowntheatercompany.org.