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In the Nave of

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

3rd & A Streets, SE, Washington, DC

Produced by special arrangement with

the Rodgers & Hammerstein Music Library

Act I

Act II

Director’s Notes

by Russ Colman

What a pleasure it’s been to be part of this production of the original Broadway script of The Sound of Music! With three songs not heard in the movie version and often cut from stage productions, the musical we are presenting, it seems to me, strengthens the love story between Maria and the Captain.  This script and score also emphasize more clearly the notion that to live fully we must “find the life we are meant to live”—even if the search is difficult and risky.  My gratitude to all who made this production possible.

The Players

Production Crew

The Orchestra

The Cast

Janie Abernethy (Louisa) – Janie is happy to return to SMP in a human role after having played a Munchkin and a crow in the 2000 production of The Wizard of Oz.  Some of her other roles have been Little Red Riding Hood in the CHAW production of The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf and Hodel in last year’s sixth-grade production of Fiddler on the Roof at Capitol Hill Day School.  Janie credits her love of music to years of piano at St. Mark’s Music Studio, voice lessons at the Levine School, and friends and family who tolerate her frequent outbursts of song.  She wants to thank everyone involved in The Sound of Music for so generously teaching the von Trapp children so much about musical theater and the complicated life of this play.  Go Senators Softball!

Lindsey Adams (Nun) – Lindsey began voice lessons at the age of six and performed in numerous productions as a child and teenager.  After several years away, she is making her adult debut in musical theater in The Sound of Music.  During the day, Lindsey is a program associate in the Global Health, Population and Nutrition department of the Academy for Educational Development, a non-profit in DC.  She lives with her husband and two cats in Alexandria, VA.

Mark Allen (Admiral von Schreiber) – Mark is enjoying his exalted rank after playing lowly seamen in SMP productions of HMS Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance.  This is his third non-singing role in a musical (the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz and Doc in West Side Story).  Fighting fate, he is currently studying voice with Carolina Rodriguez.

Susanne Allen (Sister Berthe) – Susanne is glad to perform again with SMP after a long absence.  Her last show with the Players was Fiddler on the Roof.  She played Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! with the Players, and Mrs. Wadsworth T. Harcourt in Anything Goes with the Georgetown University Summer Theater.  She had principal roles in several Gilbert & Sullivan operettas with the Players, including Katisha in The Mikado, and was in Utopia, Limited and The Mikado with the Washington Savoyards.  She performed with Catholic University’s Summer Opera Theater in productions including La Rondine, La Bohème, The Merry Widow, and Die Fledermaus.  She was also a member of the Opera Camerata of Washington and the Paul Hill Chorale.  She studies hand book-binding and works as a writer-editor for the Postal Service.

Mariam-Ruth Bakhtiar (Postulant) – This is Mariam-Ruth’s first performance with SMP.  She began her earliest voice training with the Levine School of Music early childhood music and creative drama programs.  Currently she sings with the Boys and Girls Choir at St. Mark’s Church, recently performing Rutter’s Requiem and Kelly’s Crucifixion.  She is 10 years old and a fourth-grader at Capitol Hill Day School.

Molly Blumgart (Postulant) – Molly has always wanted to be in The Sound of Music and is very glad to have had the chance!  She has participated in other SMP plays, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor^® Dreamcoat, The Wizard of Oz, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and the SMP 20th Anniversary Gala.  Molly likes to be in musicals because she loves to sing and dance and she likes the community feel of SMP.  She would like to say that she has had a lot of fun with all the cast members and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Ellen Cardwell (Nun) – Ellen was held up to a microphone at age four to sing “Meet Me In St. Louis” and has been in love with theater ever since.  She has directed, produced, choreographed, acted, painted sets, made costumes, sold ads, and worked box office from grade school on.  Founder of the St. Mark’s Players in 1983, and Artistic Director for the Players’ first 10 years, Ellen has rarely made an authorized stage appearance during the Players’ 21 year existence.  But somehow, being a nun and singing high has really appealed to her.  A member of St. Mark’s Church and, along with husband Larry, a member of the St. Mark’s Chancel Choir, Ellen is a professional fundraiser/meeting planner employed by the Ecological Society of America, an avid cook, and a recent grandmother.

Anjuli Lauren DeWakar (Brigitta) – Anjuli is ten years old and is a fourth-grader at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes’ school in Alexandria.  She loves the theater and has played roles in Stuart Little, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ladies First, and Winnie the Pooh.  When she is not rehearsing she likes to play lacrosse, soccer, and piano, and likes to spend time with her friends and siblings Neil, Maya, and Neha and their dog Buckie.  Anjuli thanks the great cast and crew for this chance to play Brigitta, her favorite role.

Amy Fuhrman (Nun) – Amy is performing with SMP for the very first time.  She’s delighted to be singing again after a long break.  It’s been more than five years since her last role as Fiona MacLaren in a production of Brigadoon in Maine.  Amy lives on Capitol Hill and is currently working on her first feature documentary film.

Beth Hall (Nun) – Beth is appearing in her first SMP production after several years of training as a stage mother and child wrangler.  Beth is a drinking water specialist with the Environmental Protection Agency.  Many thanks to the Episcopalian Senior Ministry for the gift of free time to enjoy this production.

Madeline Hall (Postulant) – Madeline is appearing in her fourth SMP production, following roles in Lord of the Flies, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and the SMP 20^th Anniversary Gala.  Madeline is a seventh-grader at Hardy Middle School and enjoys circus arts, music, and dance. She recently appeared in Newsies and is excited to have received a call back with Debbie Allen.

Mary Kavalauskas (Liesl) – Mary is thrilled to make her third appearance with SMP!  Other productions with SMP included Galileo (young Andrea) and Oliver!  Recently, Mary sang the national anthem for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards and for DC United and Washington Freedom at RFK Stadium.  She most recently performed on the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night National Tour.  Another favorite appearance was her performance in the Washington Opera’s production of Carmen at the Kennedy Center.  Other favorite roles include Marta in The Sound of Music at Toby’s Dinner Theater, the Cat in Washington Opera’s children’s production of Brundibar, Grace Ferrell in Annie, and Alice Sycamore in You Can’t Take It With You.  Much love to the cast, Mom, Dad, and Joey.  Miss you, Anna!

Lisa Anne Kerwin (Sister Margaretta) – Lisa now proudly adds Austrian nun to her list of onstage ethnicities and occupations.  At SMP she has played everything from German Jewish (Mrs. Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank) to Irish (Chrissie in Dancing at Lughnasa), from Sunday School mom (Grace in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever) to storyteller (The Narrator in Into the Woods).  This story has been a particular favorite since she first saw the movie at the age of five. (Little did her parents know where THAT would lead!)  She studied in Austria in the late 1980s and just a few years ago took up teaching German in Montgomery County.

Cathy Kidwell (Mother Abbess) – Ms. Kidwell is very happy to be making her debut performance with SMP in the role of Mother Abbess.  Ms. Kidwell has been singing and performing in various venues in the Washington area for the past 25 years.  Her favorite roles include Widow Corey (Oliver! – WEDT, SCT, and CSS), General Cartwright (Guys and Dolls – PTC), Mrs. Summey (Dark of the Moon), Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), and Madam Candidate (Get Out the Vote).  Ms. Kidwell has appeared in concert as soloist for Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Dave Brubeck’s La Fiesta de la Posada, Mozart’s Coronation Mass (C Major), and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.  She has also appeared at the Kennedy Center in the opera Mephistopheles.  Ms. Kidwell would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.

Alissa R. Kirby (Postulant) – Alissa heeds the call of the stage in her first SMP production.  She has appeared in community theater, school, and camp productions (sans habit), and as the youngest of seven children has had a lifetime of experience in voice projection studies.  Being part of the chorus is a natural fit since, like her great-grandmother before her, if Alissa isn’t belting out a tune from somewhere in the house, her family knows she must be sleeping.  Alissa is an eighth-grader at Frost Middle School in Fairfax, Virginia, where she is a member of the chorus; she is an avid gymnast.

Eben Kuhns (Friedrich) – This show is Eben’s return to acting after a hiatus of about two weeks.  He is excited to be performing for the first time with SMP.  He was last seen as Harold Hill in The Music Man at ACCT.  Some of his favorite roles are Laurie in Little Women of Orchard House (Young People’s Theater); Reynard, the Fox in The Mischief Makers (The Theater Alliance); Candlewick in Pinocchio, based on Six Characters in Search of an Author (ACCT); Elmer Hopkins in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (LTA); and Artie in King Artie and the Knights of the Rad Table (YPT).  He has performed as a student in a short documentary, Line of Fire (Gregg Watt Productions), and in a recent political advertisement for TV.  He has also been seen as a thug in a United Way advertisement.  He was thrilled to work as an extra in Chris Rock’s new movie, Head of State.  Go see it!  When he’s not acting, he enjoys swimming, reading, and imper-sonating well-known celebrities.  Peace.

Emily Laughlin (Nun/Ensemble) – Although this is Ms. Laughlin’s theater debut in the Washington area, she is no stranger to the stage.  In her home state of Mississippi, she was active in local theater as both performer and Musical Director in such hits as The King and I, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The Wizard of Oz, and Snoopy! The Musical (as Lucy).  Since arriving in DC two years ago, Ms. Laughlin has become an active member of The Washington Women's Chorus, with whom she sang at Wolf Trap last summer, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra, and will make her second appearance at The Kennedy Center as part of the NSO Pops Concert Series, under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch.  Ms. Laughlin is thrilled to be a part of SMP and would like to thank her family and friends for their support.

David Lehrman (Herr Zeller/Ensemble) – David makes his debut in a stage production as Herr Zeller.  His undergraduate studies as a violinist were at the Mannes College of Music, NYC.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.  His day job is as an attorney for the U.S. Government.

Inez Thomas Lester (Nun) – Inez has performed many roles with SMP, served a three-year term on its Board of Directors, and established an award in memory of her father, James Isaac Thomas, who was a singer, to honor an outstanding Player each year.  She feels privileged to sing praises to God in this lovely sanctuary as one of the nuns in The Sound of Music.  Inez is thankful for all of her family’s love and support.  Since her last appearance with the Players in The Wizard of Oz (Auntie Em), which she dedicated to her husband, Bob, and their granddaughter, Charlotte Elizabeth, they have welcomed a little grandson, Robert William, born to son Robert Cameron Lester and his wife, Hillary, and a new daughter-in-law, Genevieve, married to son Brian Isaac Lester.  She dedicates her performance in this show to both of these wonderful additions to their family.

Mary Neznek (Nun) – Mary has sung with the Georgetown University Chorale, which was under the direction of the late Paul Hill.  While this is her first performance with SMP, she has sung in choirs since she was 6 years old and currently is a member of the Chancel Choir of St. Mark’s Church.

David Norquist (Kurt) – David is an eleven-year-old fifth-grader at Fox Mill School in Fairfax County.  He previously appeared as a Munchkin and a flying monkey in SMP’s The Wizard of Oz.  He also enjoys softball, basketball, playing trombone, singing in church choir, and studying Japanese.

Gena Norquist (Baroness Elberfeld/Nun) – Gena previously appeared as the Mayor of Munchkin City and an Ozian in SMP’s The Wizard of Oz, and in other productions in her native Minnesota.  She is a special education teacher at Poplar Tree Elementary School in Fairfax County.  She gives thanks to all her friends and family for their support.

John Norquist (Baron Elberfeld/Ensemble) – John is usually found in the pit orchestra playing trombone (including the SMP production of Man of La Mancha) but occasionally appears on stage.  He appeared as a tall Munchkin and an Ozian in SMP’s The Wizard of Oz, and as a sailor in TAP’s HMS Pinafore.  He is delighted to appear with his wife and son and gives thanks for his friends and family.

Miranda Ossolinski (Postulant) – This is Miranda’s first performance with SMP.  She has been a member of the St. Mark’s Children’s Choir for almost seven years.  Past performances include Tinker Bell in Peter Pan and the chorus in Singing in the Rain, both at Murch Elementary School.  Her most recent performance was in The Chronicles of Jane – Book Seven at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart this past March.  Miranda would like to thank Mr. Adam Martinelli, her choir director, for his help with her Sound of Music audition.

Bill Palander (Max Detweiler/Assistant to the Director) – This is Bill’s third appearance on stage with SMP.  Last year he played Mr. Kirby in You Can’t Take It With You and in 2001 was the Naval Officer in Lord of the Flies.  Over the last four seasons, Bill has worked on advertising, marketing, stage management, house management, set construction, and props.  He’s also served as a dialect coach, assistant to the producer and the director, and “gophered” for whatever and whenever.  Over the last year he assisted Russ Colman in obtaining a grant and other in-kind support from the Embassy of Canada for SMP’s production of Albertine in Five Times.  Bilingual in French and English, Bill has had professional voice and media training.  He resides in Toronto and here on Capitol Hill, sharing a home with Russ, Rick, and their three cats, Rudy, Cupid, and Beau.

Antonia Piccone (Marta) – Antonia is so excited about this performance and this experience.  “I am so pleased that St. Mark’s Players has reached out and given me this opportunity. This has been a great experience for me!”  Antonia has had training in gymnastics, circus arts, jazz dance, and street jam.  She has performed in CATS as Rum Tum Tugger, Once On This Island as Timoune, A Sentimental Affair as Betty, Newsies as a nun and chorus member, and Alice in Wonderland as Alice.  She has played the piano for four years and the French horn for almost a year.  She would like to thank all of her friends for getting all pumped up about this show, and would like to thank Mr. Esquivel for all of his help in training her and helping her in her acting career.  She would especially like to thank her family for all of their loving support and their help in everything.

Darcy Pommerening (Gretl) – Darcy is in the second grade at Taylor Elementary School in Arlington.  She is actively involved in Brownie Girl Scouts, has thankfully finished delivering all her 2003 cookie sales, and has fallen in love with the theater.  Darcy performed with LTA in their most recent production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  She would like to thank her older brother and sister for inspiration and her mom and dad for providing shuttle service.

Geoff Rake (Bishop of Salzburg/Ensemble) – Geoff returned to the stage after a 35-year hiatus with a brief appearance in You Can’t Take It With You (SMP), followed by the role of Jessup in The Scarlet Pimpernel (TCP).  Geoff’s tech work includes set construction (SMP, TCP), stage managing (Great Dames – TCP), and toting costumes for his wife, Jo (the Costume Designer for The Sound of Music).

Jo Rake (Frau Schmidt/Costume Designer) – Jo is making her second appearance “on the boards” with SMP.  Jo recently designed the costumes for SMP’s Albertine in Five Times and appeared as Mrs. Kirby and did costume design for SMP’s You Can’t Take It With You.  Other stage credits include The Music Man (2SP); Great Dames (Marie Antoinette); The Scarlet Pimpernel and Jekyll & Hyde (TCP); Bye Bye Birdie (Mrs. McAfee); The Sound of Music (Sister Berthe); Oliver! (Mrs. Sowerberry and Old Sally—Josephine Theater, San Antonio, TX); and The Nutcracker (Mrs. Stahlbaum).  Her technical theater work includes costume design, costume mistress, and properties for a number of theater and ballet productions.

Kathleen Reilly (Sister Sophia) – Kathleen has added her voice to a variety of musical and choral groups (some a cappella), most often in the alto section.  Last season she had a delightful time singing with the Congressional Chorale, and last Easter sang the beautiful Fauré “Requiem” with Christ Church Choir, both here on Capitol Hill.  She has sung with other groups in other parts of the world, including Jazz Gospel in Sydney, Australia; R & B in Lagos, Nigeria; Music of the Harp in New York City; and Palestrina Mon Amour in San Francisco.  She was one of Reno’s Angels in the Madison Avenue Players’ production of Anything Goes.  While the sun shines, she works as the Director of Public Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University.

Judy Ross (Frau Zeller/Nun) – Judy is thrilled to be in this production of The Sound of Music as Frau Zeller and a Nun in the chorus (with daughter Katie Shinberg).  She has previously acted as a professional puppeteer with the National Company of “The Kids on the Block.”  She works at Children’s Hospital as a Child Life Specialist.  Interests include running, studying acupuncture, and ushering at the Warner Theatre.  She lives in DC with architect husband Milton Shinberg, daughters Katie and Samantha, two cats and two dogs.

Katie Shinberg (Postulant) – Katie is a senior at The Field School, and will be attending the University of Delaware in Fall 2003.  She is a member of The Field School’s a capella group, and has sung at many school concerts.  She is a volunteer for Washington Animal Rescue League, and would like to give a shout out to the Arahs, Neo, Fluff, Liam, Sally, and the little one who looks like me.

Persis A. Sosiak (Maria Rainer) – Persis is very happy to be playing the role of Maria in SMP’s production of The Sound of Music.  Previously she was seen in An Evening at the Tonys and SMP’s 20^th Anniversary Gala.  Favorite roles include Louise in Gypsy (TCP) and Maggie in A Chorus Line (JeRM Productions).  Persis has performed in and choreographed Hello, Dolly!, Schoolhouse Rock Live!, and Funny Girl, all with TCP.  In her native Lorain, Ohio, she appeared in Anything Goes, The King and I, and Guys and Dolls.  Persis received a Master’s degree in Public Health from Yale University and works for a non-profit in Washington, DC.  Thanks to the cast and crew for making this a wonderful experience.  As always, love and gratitude to Eric.

Brent Stone (Captain Georg von Trapp) – Brent has appeared in recent local theater productions as John Adams in 1776, Charlie Dalrymple in Brigadoon, and Rusty Charlie and the Cuban Dancing Boy in Guys and Dolls.  Prior stage appearances include Jesus in Godspell, Riff in West Side Story, Vince Fontaine in Grease and six cameos on American Bandstand.  Brent is the proud father of two sons, Nicholas and Alexander, and husband to Linda.  Thanks, St. Mark’s, for a chance to be part of this ministry.

Nicholas Stone (Altar Boy) – Nicholas’s previous stage work includes appearances in Night on Broadway at Lord of Life Lutheran Church as well as in the role of Admiral Drake in Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  He has also participated in several acting camps and looks forward to a future hearing the “roar of the crowd.”  Nicholas is excited to be in his first “real” show with his Dad.

Sabina Tarnowka (Postulant) – Sabina is a sixth-grader at John Eaton Elementary and has been in two musicals with her school, Annie and Guys and Dolls.  This is her first production at St. Mark’s, and she is excited to be in this production.

Claiborne Walthall (Rolf Grüber) – Claiborne grew up singing in the church choir of Central Presbyterian Church and with the Madrigal singers at Murphy High School in Mobile, AL.  During these years, he played Nathan in Nathan and the Neon Nightlight and appeared some years later in Amahl and the Night Visitors.  Claiborne set off to seek his fortune (at Brown University) in 1998, but only got as far as the chorus room, spending four years of Monday and Wednesday evening rehearsals and countless hours as president of the group.  In spring 2001 and 2002, he played several roles in an opera and musical theater scenes show.  In May 2002, Brown said, “You’ve graduated. Now leave,” so Claiborne packed his bags (throwing in his Urban Studies degree for good luck) and moved to Washington in the fall of 2002.  The Sound of Music is his first full-length musical since high school.  He said, “It’s nice to be a tenor. Liesl gives me a kiss. Amahl just beat me up.” During the day, he works in the Urban Forest Center at American Forests, a national conservation organization.

Tricia Weiler (Nun) – Tricia is a Gaithersburg native who has actively participated in community theater in the area for the past five years.  Past roles include an Amazon in Peter Pan (SP) and Mrs. Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank (Germantown Stage).  Her most recent and favorite role was Mrs. Boggs in All Because of Agatha at RLT.  Her next role is in the ensemble of Evita at MP.  To the Agatha cast:  cheers to the fun we have had and the fun times that lie ahead.

Mitchell Wunsh (Franz) – Mitchell is happy to make his theatrical debut in the nation’s capital.  In addition to theater, he sings with The Washington Chorus.  Mitchell has butlered in The Importance of Being Ernest, castled in Chess, and bared all in Hair at Washington University.  He would like to send a hug and hello to Supriya and his family.  Mitchell dedicates his performance to his sister Beth and brother-in-law Scot, who are unable to attend as they are expecting Mitchell’s first nephew in June.

Janice Zucker (Elsa) – Janice is thrilled to be working with SMP for the first time!  She is a recent graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a BIS in Musical Theater.   Her credits include The Sound Of Music, Into the Woods, Once Upon A Mattress, A Night With Woody, The Journey, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Gondoliers, Hearing In The Third Circle, and A Christmas Carol.  She recently crossed over to the “other side” and did props and costumes for Fountainhead Theatre’s production of Come Back Little Sheba, ran the spot and coached actors for the TRSP’s production of The God of Isaac, and this spring co-directed a musical at her synagogue.  She recently recorded part of the narration for an on-line training course offered by the American Chemical Society, and she sings in a few different venues at her synagogue.  As always, she thanks her wonderful family, Paul, Aaron, and Rachel, for all their love and support and dedicates this performance to the memory of her Mother.

The Crew

Jeffrey Scott Auerbach (Lighting Designer) – The Sound of Music is Jeff’s tenth show with SMP in four years. Some of Jeff’s favorite productions have been with SMP, such as Pippin, Into the Woods, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor^® Dreamcoat.  Jeff was recently nominated for a WATCH award for outstanding lighting design for Death of a Salesman with TAP.  He wants to wish Mikey P. the best of luck in his new adventure and let him know that he will be sorely missed.  He would also like to thank Dave & David for all of the help with this production.  He hopes that you enjoy the show.

Robert C. Bates (Set Construction) – RC has worked behind the scenes at several SMP shows, including stage managing Albertine in Five Times, designing the set for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, managing the box office for Dancing at Lughnasa, and managing the house for The Wizard of Oz.  He recently designed the set for Dial ‘M’ for Murder at BCT, and frequently works at CP in Annapolis.

Paula Grace Becker (Choreographer, Nun) – This is Paula’s eleventh show with SMP, in one capacity or another.  She is thrilled to be able to fill two mutually exclusive roles.  Next show—a nun kickline!

R. Cary Blackwelder-Plair (Set Design) – Cary is a recent transplant to Washington, DC, from Arkansas, where he completed his degrees in Architecture and Stage Set Design.  He currently works for an architecture firm in DC.  Currently his design work can be seen in the Actors’ Theatre of Washington’s production of The F-Word, a premiere play by Jordan Beswick. He designed/built the sets for Driving Miss Daisy and the cow, Milky White for Into The Woods, both for SMP.  Before moving to DC he worked on Grease, How I Learned to Drive, Noises Off, and The 1940’s Radio Hour at the University of Arkansas.  This design is for STP.

Russ Colman (Director) – Russ has been an active volunteer with SMP for more than four years and served as a member of the Board of Directors for two and a half years.  His production credits with SMP include producer of You Can’t Take It With You, set designer for Lord of the Flies and the SMP 20^th Anniversary Gala, and stage manager for The Wizard of Oz.  Russ has a BA in Theatre Arts from Northern Illinois University, where he specialized in Design and Direction.  Russ has three children—Joe, Tim, and Emily.  He lives on Capitol Hill with Bill and Rick and their three cats, Rudy, Cupid, and Beau.  For Bill.

Jerry M. Dale, Jr. (Stage Manager) – This is Jerry’s fourth production with St. Mark’s Players and it seems each time gets more fun!  He stage managed The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Snow Angel and was the assistant stage manager for Into the Woods.  Jerry would like to thank all of the cast, crew and families of The Sound of Music for making this such a wonderful experience.  Most of all, Jerry would like to thank his loving partner Warren for his love and support.

Ric M. Herrera (Musical Director) – Ric is pleased to be working with SMP again and the wonderful cast of The Sound of Music.  He last taught music during The Wizard of Oz (my, how those munchkins grow quickly).  Ric has performed in many SMP productions and can be seen performing as an attorney with the Capitol Police.

Edwin Morman (Sound Designer) – Ed, a California native, served ten years in the Air Force as an Audio Visual Director for the President of the United States.  He has since settled down into civilian life in DC, and is now an Audio Visual Consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA.  Edwin is in his second year with SMP.  Originally brought to St. Mark’s by pianist (now wife) Laurie Smith Morman to do last-minute sound design for Pippin, he has since stayed on for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, You Can’t Take it With You, Into The Woods, Driving Miss Daisy, and Albertine in Five Times.  For other theaters in the area he has done sound design for Sweet Charity (FP), The Scarlet Pimpernel (TCP), The 1940’s Radio Hour (SCT), I Do, I Do (Alden Theater), and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (LTA).  Favorite sayings include, “If you can’t control your own singing voice, you may as well control everyone else’s.”

Kari Norquist (Assistant to the Stage Manager) – Kari is a fifth-grader at Fox Mill School in Fairfax County.  She appeared as a Munchkin and a poppy in SMP’s The Wizard of Oz.  She also enjoys reading, writing, singing, and frogs.  She enjoys the experience of working backstage and working with her family.

Kathy Rehak (Properties) – Kathy is delighted to be working with SMP for the first time.  Having worked with the Capitol Hill Theater Alliance, Woolly Mammoth, and Washington Shakespeare Company over the past six years, she is proud to be working with a new group of talented artists.  She hopes one day to achieve “hyphenate” status (director-writer or producer-costumer) like many of her accomplished colleagues.

J. N. Wickert, III (Orchestral Director) – With this being the third time J has worked on The Sound of Music, he returns to SMP after a brief period following his musical direction of Oliver! for SMP.  He also takes on another group of nuns who have by far exceeded those of any convent!  J has been seen musical directing with many other theater groups in the Washington, DC, area and has been involved in some aspect of theater or music for well over 35 years.  He has been nominated for the ACT award and won the award for his musical direction of Zorba with TAP.  During the day, J is the Headquarters Benefits Officer at the Department of Energy.

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