"Sound of Music" opens July 19

Desiree Lulay and Brian Barrentine share a moment together on stage. Lulay and Barrentine are wonderful additions to to the cast of "The Sound of Music."

The Sound of Music opens at the Peacock Playhouse on July 19th. Audiences will be in for a delightful evening of lovely music sung by good singers. Two of these fine singers are Desiree Lulay, who plays Maria, and Brian Barrentine, who plays Capt. Von Trapp...

Not only are they fine singers, but experienced actors.

Desiree Lulay received a degree in vocal performance from Gardner Webb University. After graduation, she worked at Sight and Sound in Pennsylvania, at one time the largest Christian Theater in the world. Lulay also studies voice with Patricia Harrelson and she participated in the Spoleto Vocal Arts Symposium in Italy. She has enjoyed spending time at home with her family, but is now weighing whether to go to the University of Tennessee, where she has been accepted to pursue a Master's in vocal performance, or to go out to audition in the musical circuit. Right now, she is lining up a schedule. Either way, she will be pursuing her musical career. Theater goers may remember her performance as Babe in Pajama Game. She is enjoying The Sound of Music and working with directors Nancy Davis and Paul Dyer, the other cast members, and especially the children.

Brian Barrentine is a wonderful addition to the Playhouse. Presently living in Ellijay to spend time with family, he has enjoyed a successful career in the theater. He has worked in New York as an actor and was in the national tour of Aladdin. He had the title role in the international tour of Elvis, the Musical. Barrentine grew up in Atlanta and showed his interest in performing when he worked in the shows at Six Flags Atlanta as a teenager. He also has been on the Alliance Stage. A few of his shows have included Phantom, Show Boat, and The Fantastiks. Nearest to his heart, however, is his own company that he formed called Funikijam Road Show, a musical exploration of world cultures for families and children. He has toured worldwide with his show, and when in Nashville, his show broke the world attendance record. In a stroke of luck for the Peacock, a fellow choir member at his church encouraged him to come out for this show. Since Sound of Music was a favorite, with its lovely music and good story tempted him to come. To seal things, he thought of the special resonance of the mountains in the show that touched him deeply after moving to the mountains here. He is enjoying working on the play with the directors, his fellow actors, but also, especially, the children.

Often, with Community Theater, a cast with even abilities is hard to find. In Sound of Music, Directors Davis and Dyer have found across the board excellent singers. The audience will be able to sit back and enjoy a performance of beautiful music and warm family values in this timeless show.

Make reservations now by coming into the box office Monday through Friday from 9 to 4, or by calling 828-389- 8632 or 877-691-9906. Evening performances begin at 8 with Sunday matinees at 2:30. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children and students. The show will run July 19-22, 27-29, and August 3-5.