The Von Trapp children are dressed and singing in unison as the cast and crew of Sing Hosanna! gear up for the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic "The Sound of Music" set to open next weekend.

Eric Snyder of Butler Township auditioned for and landed the role of Capt. Von Trapp, the single father of an unruly brood of children.

"When I got called back, I didn't know that it was him I was auditioning for but it was the role I wanted," said Snyder. "All the songs are in my range."

While Snyder is confident in the role, he said the parent part was a bit of a challenge. "Balancing his sternness has been a bit tough," Snyder said.

"The Sound of Music" is Snyder's favorite movie, but in the stage version he has the opportunity to sing more songs.

"The show is set up differently and there are songs in the stage version that were not in the movie and vice versa," Snyder said.

Kittanning resident Mandy Tokarek has played Sweet Charity, then Belle and now she stars as the novice nun Maria.

"When I auditioned, she was the role that I wanted," said Tokarek, who is a social worker by trade. "I love kids and was a former nanny so that aspect of the role is easy for me."

Playing a familiar character is enjoyable for Tokarek.

"I think it is less intimidating, especially playing a character that is so well liked," she said.

"The big ensemble numbers are probably my favorite scenes," she added, noting that her favorite number to sing is "Something Good."

Dave Sloboda of Butler Township, who starred with Tokarek in "Beauty and the Beast," will be paired with her on stage again — only this time not as the Beast. Sloboda will play the loveable, conniving Uncle Max.

"I have not seen the movie in years and I didn't use it to prepare for this role," Sloboda said.

"Max is really a comedian and I am not used to playing comedy, so this role is stretching me."

He gets to interact on stage this time with his daughter, Hannah, who is playing Louisa.

Mary Cole-Simms is no stranger to the stage but is performing with Sing Hosanna! for the first time. The Center Township wife, mother and lawyer has been busy primarily with the role of mother to her four children ages 3 to 11.

"I've been running the kids everywhere to all their activities and even to their audition for this show," she said.

"They asked why I didn't audition because they've heard me singing around the house," said Simms, who used to perform in musical theater prior to marriage.

"I wasn't sure what to expect and it was clear that they didn't know either but once I started singing, I realized how much I had really missed it," she said.

"'Climb Every Mountain' is every singer's dream song to sing so I was delighted to land the role of Mother Superior," she said.

Two of her children will be sharing the stage with her in the chorus. "It has been neat sharing with them and interacting with them in this capacity," she said.

The show is different from the movie, and director Ralph Christy Jr. has made some modifications to include more actors on stage.

"It is a family show that we think everyone will enjoy," he said.

Tickets for the musical are on sale now at May's Music Shoppe on East Jefferson Street, and by phone by calling 724-287-8362. Seats are not reserved.