Can you bring city alive with Sound of Music?

A scene from the Sound of Music stage production at the Civic Theatre, Auckland, in October 2014.

It has become a cult musical film that inspires people to dress up and sing along, bringing theatres the world over alive with the sound of music.

This year the very capable Whangarei Theatre Company will tackle the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, The Sound of Music, and is calling for people to audition for the production it will present in July.

The story follows the journey of Maria Rainer, a novice who is clearly not destined to become a fully fledged nun.

Sent by the wise Mother Abbess to be governess to the seven children of widowed Austrian military man Captain Georg von Trapp, her life changes in ways she could not imagine.

Maria uses songs and humour to gain the affection and trust of the children, and music plays a large part in the outcome.

Behind the romance, the family story and the lovely alpine setting lies the brooding threat of Nazism and the German push for reunification with Austria.

The show contains many memorable songs well known by older audiences but is guaranteed to delight all ages.

Auditions are by appointment only and will take place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, February 6, Sunday 7, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 at the Riverbank Centre.

Prospective cast members are asked to phone production manager, Margie Matthews, on 021496620, to arrange a time.

The auditions will last approximately 30 minutes, 15 of which will be with the director and choreographer and 15 with the music director and vocal coach.