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Show Wednesday, June By Elmsfth Bkbf Express Writer Natural shade has covered the Outlaw Trail Amphitheater seating, bringing relief from the heat of the day. The sun still shines on the nuns' black and white habits hanging on a clothes line, a contrast to the beauty of the distant mountain peaks. The stage is set, the stadium seats fill. Guests peruse the Uintah Uin-tah Arts Council Outlaw Trail Gazette and theater program. It provides background information informa-tion about the real Von Trapp family and introduces the cast of 32 actors. In the dressing rooms, cast members finish their preparations. prepara-tions. Lighted make-up mirrors reflect the transformation of local residents to the individuals they are becoming. There is no rush, only a quiet tension. At 8 p.m., the audience is invited in-vited to stand, hands on hearts, to join in singing "The Star Spangled Banner." The patriotic activity is a final touch to the setting of another era, one that focuses on Austrians facing the Nazi takeover that led to World War II. "The Sound of Music" begins, performed by volunteer community commu-nity members with a passion for the theater. Who are these people that set aside their personalities to become someone else for a few hours each evening? Two are new residents; both describe their acceptance into the community as warm and welcoming. welcom-ing. Dan Johns, seminary teacher for the ninth grade - what he calls "the wonder years" - has been in Vernal nearly a year. Tara Wardle arrived in April and is opening a children's group in September, the TaVaci School of the Performing Arts. Known better to the theater crowd as Maria, Wardle moved to the basin just in time to audition for the musical. Tara has a degree in music education at Brigham Young University-Idaho, and for the past year she has been teaching 40 vocatstridents, part time, in the music department. Tara performed as Liesel eight years ago, and sang in a number of other musicals and operas. Tara's husband is in the public . relations office for Mountain Home Youth Ranch. "We met in choir - he is also a singer," she B1 k I ' . . ' . i I 1 - Sister Margaretta (Karilynne Pearson) speaks to Mother Abbess (Julie Dahl) about Maria. I I I 1 i 1 V III f I I A il I I iVJ7l Captain Von Trapp is supported Each office is independently owned and operated. 0- A portion of every sale is donated to the 1820 West I Children's Minde US.' I Y Vernal Utah 435-781-2500 Hwy.40,SteF Network. Outstanding Agents. Outstanding Results 8 27, 2007 said. She is happy about their move to Vernal. "Everyone has been kind and open. Sometimes there is a lot of politics and you aren't able to participate in as much as you like. It has been fun to step in and help," she said. And she certainly has helped. As well as being the vocal director, she lived the role of Maria, by training the seven young people who starred as the Von Trapp children. Brad Anderson plays the role of Captain Von Trapp and is a familiar player on the Outlaw Trail Theater stage. Anderson sang in many of the musicals presented in the basin. His wife Dabra also helps with the community theater as a house manager. Brad said he has been singing for more than 30 years. "Tara made the show," Anderson Ander-son related. "The character I'm playing is interesting because the captain doesn't show a lot of emotion to begin with. That is kind of difficult to portray without looking stiff. This is a role I have wanted to play for a long time, so I was excited when the Uintah Arts Council selected it." Anderson works for Water Remediation LLC, where he is involved in the remediation of water evaporation from the oil field holding ponds. "The company makes some sacrifices for me and my time so I can be in the musicals," he explained. Many families work together in the production of a play. Dan Johns, who develops the character charac-ter of Max Detweiler, said that he always encourages his family to be part of the production staff. While he is prancing about the stage, his wife is a lights technician techni-cian and his son a Nazi soldier. Johns is a welcome addition to the community theater. "I checked to make sure there was acommunity theater before I moved here," he said. "I have been in musicals since I was Oliver at the age of 12. I directed 'The Diary of Anne Frank.' I enjoy both sides and this is my seventh community theater since college. There are wonderful people in the community com-munity theater - they become a second family." Perry and Natalie Taylor and their three children moved from Roosevelt two years ago. Natalie I J by his wife, Maria, and the seven 1 111 M II -M j ' JcpteSSiOflQ iMxhflaw TfaiH rv if if : . , i r f ' t - U t - '"'V-' "Captain, please just love them," Maria pleads of Captain Von Trapp (Brad Anderson) when he discovered, "My children were running around Salzburg in curtain material?" portrays the beautiful, elegant Countess Elsa Schraeder. Her 6-year-old daughter Hannah almost steals the show as the youngest Von Trapp, Gretl. Natalie Nata-lie has been in high school, college and community theater plays. She played Louisa as a child. She will be an instructor at the TaVaci School of the Performing Arts which Wardle is directing. "This is Hannah's first time to be in a play and she has loved every minute of it," she said. Carla Caldwell, Brigitta, is a cousin to Tara. "She has really helped my singing - this is my first show and the funnest thing I've ever done. I am going to continue." con-tinue." sighed Stockton Palmer, Kurt, also in his first role, as he remarked that not all plays have children but hopes to take part whenever they do. Another family duo is Ron and Brian Litton, father and son. Ron is the producer, president of the arts council, does the design for several areas. Brian is the music director. "I teach them the songs and polish what they do with the music. These singers are so good it comes easily. 'Fiddler on the Roof was the most successful one we ever had and I think 'The Sound of Music' may turn out just as well. We welcome back those who have been with us and encourage new people; we always need more men. We look forward to auditioning for next year's musical, 'Camelot,'" said Litton. "The Sound of Music" plays children as he sings "Edelweiss" paintand floor covermgs. hkedat $135)00 Wo j II i I in X s 4 V Hannah and Natalie Tayor put on the final touches at the make up mirror, getting ready to perform as Gretl Von Trapp and Countess Elsa Schraeder. Behind them is Sally Wagner, one of the nuns. through July 7. A "Sing-a-Long" to not miss out on the events at and costume contest will be on the theater. the opening night of the Uintah "I hope the local residents ap- County Fair, Aug. 13, under the predate how much talent there stars at the Outlaw Trail Amphi- is here," stated Dan Johns. theater. Organizers advised residents ( ) for the last time in Austria. Large buldng over 3,400 so, It in ewflent condition. Zoned RA-1 A currently under special use penr. Gnat far day-ore; assisted lying & many other possttHei Vaulted ceCngs; large main haft classrooms; front desk; paved parking. (aliUtaw today at ta-5573. phitheater i ; f I , ' J - ( 1 Liesl (Nashelle Pearson ) surprises sur-prises Rolf (Quinn Balhorn) with a kiss. The hills are alive with the sound of music..." Maria (Tara Wardle) sings in the mountains. T M v r (.. f y Deal izto cl.; l'.z:j. Cc!ie00-ACS-234Scf b3 on to www.cancer.org 247 for information or to find free services available in the Uintah Basin. ' January through August The Utah Field House of Natural History is hosting the Range Creek Archaeological Exhibit from now through August. Please call the museum for more information at 435-789-3799 or stop by 496 East Main, Vernal. June through August Kindergarten Readiness Workshop at the Uintah County Library every Wednesday at 7 p.m. Parents and children are asked to attend. Starts June 6 and runs all summer long. Contact Connie Cook at 790-7678 or the library. The Utah Field House is offering a series of "Wednesday Walks" on natural history, geology, botany and wildlife in the Uintas. Bring water and wear hiking shoes. Meet at the Field House at 8 a.m. to return by noon. For more information, please call Mary Beth Smith 789-3799. 789-3799. June The Sixth Annual American Indian Art Show will be on display at the Western Heritage Museum in Vernal through the end of June. For information contact the museum at 789-7399. June 21 to Sept 27 Summer picnics through the Golden Age Center, 155 S. 100 W., Vernal. Meet at the Golden Age Center, suggested donation $4. Fore more information 789-2169. June 27 . Elder Abuse mini-work to be held at the Golden Age Center, 155 S.. 100 W.( Vernal presented ty Marcie Young of the Uintah County Retired Employees Assocation, from 1 to 2 p.m. Call 789-2961 789-2961 for reservations. Uintah County Library Board Meeting 11 a.m. AND Kindergarten Readiniess class at 7 p.m. June 28 Morning Glory Quitters, Uintah County Library, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 29-30 ; GED Testing will be offered through the Uintah School District in the school district office at 6 p.m. (promptly). This is last scheduled test until September. Testing takes up to three hours on Friday with an additional four hours Saturday morning. The cost of the test is $55 and subtests may be completed for $11 each. Call David John at Ashley Valley Education Center, 781-3125 ext. 2822 or 789-5041. June 30 Outlaw Trail Festival .22 Rifle Josie Shoot. Vernal Rod & Gun Club, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Saturday. For women and girls only. Call Carole L Jackson, 435-781-2218 or cqackeasilink.com. 'Adoption Saturday' from 10 am to 2:30 pm at the Uintah Animal Control & Shelter Special Services District building at 1387 E. 335 S., Vernal. July 1 Vernal 2nd & 4th Ward Cultural Hall, 600 S. 235 E., Vernal Singles 30 'Break the Fast Pot Luck,' at 5 p.m. Good food, conversation and friends. .it -n j, BEAUTIFUL ALL BnJCK RAJmStiX , 5 bedroomv 4 baths; 3900 sq. ft. Mountaift views with fulty landscaped yard with lots of amenities Sits on U6 acres. $49500 |