When casting supporting actors for The Sound of Music, Jonny Bowles said, “They’re always different. Characters, personalities. You never know what you’re gonna get in every country, every city. We don’t want them ever to feel like they’re not part of the show. They are totally in the show.”
It’s part of Jonny’s role as resident director to incorporate local talent into the show—yes, including the kids who will play the Von Trapps.
“New kids give the show fresh energy,” he said. “They make the show special.”
Getting them ready is his biggest challenge. “It’s a lot for them to learn in a small space of time and we don’t want to stress them. They need to enjoy it.”
He says the Manila kids may be the best they’ve had vocally. “They are amazing. They are really really fantastic.”
Jonny, who’s done the show in South Africa, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, China and Indonesia, is excited for Filipinos to see it. “It’s about a man who’s trying to keep his family together… that story is as relevant today as when it was first created.”
“The Sound of Music” runs at The Theatre at Solaire from Sept. 27-Oct. 15.