As flowers bloom across Dartmouth and the chitter of bird song fills the crisp morning hours, the Bishop Stang Theatre Company is celebrating the spring season with the classic musical, “The Sound of Music.”

Set in 1930s Austria, the musical tells the heartwarming tale of Maria, a free-spirited young woman who injects love, joy and music into the lives of seven mischievous children following the death of their mother. Over the course of the play, Maria endears herself to the children and their widowed father. 

Bishop Stang teacher Marianne Deramo is directing the play. Coming hot off the heels of directing “Cinderella” and “A Christmas Carol,” this is her third time directing a musical at Bishop Stang. But Deramo said this play has a special place in her heart. 

“I love ‘The Sound of Music,’ it’s been one of my favorites since I was a kid,” she said. “It’s been a dream come true to bring this play to life and to bring one of my childhood favorites to the stage.”

The musical’s rejuvenating message of inspiring others through spreading joy and positivity is ultimately what inspired Deramo to seek a career in education, she said. 

She said that the musical’s overarching theme of overcoming adversity through joy makes “The Sound of Music” the perfect musical to celebrate the end of winter. 

“It’s the perfect spring musical,” she said. “It brings you hope, it brings that beauty of music to the soul. It can lift you up.”

Mariele Turner, a Dartmouth local and a sophomore at Bishop Stang, plays the role of one of the children, a 13-year-old girl named Louisa. Turner has been performing in musicals since the second grade, having performed in “The Sound of Music” in elementary school. 

“All musicals have their own kind of magic,” said Turner, who last year performed in “Cinderella.”

The actors auditioned for “The Sound of Music” in December. 

“We have a very talented cast and crew,” Turner said. “Hearing all the songs and music has been a really wonderful experience.”

Freshman and Dartmouth resident Jack Nylin has played in several musicals including “Mary Poppins,” “Aladdin,” “High School Musical” and recently “Cinderella.” 

“Being able to sing and dance on stage in front of my friends and family is definitely a magical thing,” Nylin said. 

The musical will be performed at 7 p.m. on Thursday April 25, Friday April 26, and Saturday April 27 in the gymnasium at Bishop Stang High School. 

On Saturday, April 27 from noon to 2 p.m., the cast will be performing a shortened, sing-along version of the show complete with a tea party and pictures with the cast. All tickets for that performance are $10.  

Tickets can be purchased at the door or by going to bishopstang.org. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students, children and seniors.