Photo by David Klassen


A timeless classic will be performed on the SRSS stage in just a few short months. Local music legends Ed and Millie Hildebrand have teamed up with the Steinbach Arts Council to bring the Von Trapp family to life.

The couple says it has been 25 years since this musical has been performed at the SRSS. Millie Says "You mention The Sound Of Music and everyone's eyes light up, right? So the choice I think is excellent. Its one of those compelling stories that has stood the test of time. We arrived at this decision together with The Steinbach Arts Council. And there was a great celebration when it was named. You're really going to feel the momentum as we get into rehearsals and as it develops. And there might be a few little surprises that come along because you know, you don't want to do it exactly the same as everyone else has done it".

She says having children in the musical is exciting, Ed says "The neat thing about a community musical is that you can actually cast the various ages in a show correctly. In a high school you have three grades to choose from. The littlest kids in grade ten well those might be the children and the oldest kids in grade twelve well those will be the adults".

Millie says "The talent in this community is profound and I think a lot of that hinges on the fact that our schools offer so much extra curricular and so much opportunity for kids. We still have schools doing full blown musicals and Christmas concerts and plays every year or every other year".

With Auditions just around the corner she says "We encourage people to sign up. Please don't be afraid. Its a very good process to go through regardless. You'll discover things about yourself in an audition that you might not have known before. Its good for you, and we don't bite".

Ed says "Auditions are fun. It might be a little unnerving, maybe the thought of it is more unnerving then the actual audition. The actual audition is fun".

With a large cast of children with important parts the Ed says that Millie is great with Children and has years of experience with them.

"I think that this story has so many good things about it on so many levels. Some people may call it an old fashioned romance or whatever but there is so many redeeming forces in this play that the modern day movies and stories don't necessarily have that. There is something that stands the test of time in this story that is a forever thing and I think everyone should know the story of The Sound of Music".

Auditions start this weekend call the Steinbach Arts Council at 204-346-1077 to sign up.