The Marian Theatre will come alive with “The Sound of Music” this holiday season.

Running through Dec. 23, the classic musical is based on the book “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers,” written by Maria Von Trapp. The author was played by Julie Andrews in the movie based on the musical.

It features a score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “Climb Every Mountain.”

In the musical, a spirited young postulant named Maria is sent to serve as a governess for Captain Von Trapp, a widower with seven children.

Her unorthodox methods quickly win over the children, but clash with the regimental conduct the captain insists upon.

Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts Director Roger DeLaurier said, “What should be the happy ending after the fairytale romance — the lonely mountain girl gets her prince — is delayed by the invasion of Austria. The happy ending does come however, when they escape.”

The role of Maria will be played by PCPA Resident Artist Vanessa Ballam. Ballam’s varied roles on PCPA’s stages include Hope in “Urinetown, the Musical” and Grusha in “The Chalk Circle.”

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The stalwart Captain Von Trapp will be played by Andrew Philpot. Philpot was recently seen as Henry in “The Real Thing,” Bert Jefferson in “The Man Who Came to Dinner” and Lumiere in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.”

Raising the question, “how do you solve a problem like Maria?” in the role of the Mother Abbess will be Elizabeth Stuart. Stuart has recently returned to PCPA as a Resident Artist. Some of her past roles include Sarah in Company, in Concert, Ginger in 1940s Radio Hour and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

Also featured are Resident Artists Richard Gallegos (“Anna in the Tropics”) as Franz, Corey Jones (“The Pillowman”) as Max, Peter Hadres (“The Real Thing,” “The Importance of Being Earnest”) as Herr Zeller and Guest Artist Melinda Parrett (“Dames at Sea,” “A Little Night Music,” “Light Up the Sky”) as Elsa Schraeder.

Assistant director and choreographer is Guest Artist Michael Jenkinson (“Kiss Me, Kate”). Scenic Designer Michael Dempsey (“Seussical” and “A Little Night Music”) will create the familiar locales of Alpine meadows, the abbey and the Von Trapp estate. Dempsey’s design includes elements that will soar more than 30 feet above the stage. Bringing the famed Rodgers and Hammerstein score to life will be Resident Musical Director Callum Morris (“Urinetown, the Musical” and “Kiss Me, Kate”), while costumes are designed by Resident Costume Director Frederick P. Deeben (“Seussical” and “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”). Lights are by Resident Lighting Designer Colleen Dowling, the Resident Sound Designer is Matt Carpenter, and Christine Collins is Resident Production Stage Manager.

Pricing is as follows. (People 63 years old and above qualify for the senior price.)

Thursday, Nov. 8, preview night: $16.25 for adults, $14.65 for seniors, and $10.25 for student and children.

Friday, Nov. 9, preview night: $18.75 for adults, $16.90 for seniors and $14.75 for students and children.

Wednesday matinees and Thursday and Sunday evening performances: $25.75 for adults, $23.20 for seniors and $16.25 for students and children.

Friday and Saturday evening performances and Saturday and Sunday matinees: $27.75 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $17.75 for students and children.

All evening performances now begin at 7 p.m.; and matinees begin at 2 p.m.

For tickets and more information, call the box office at 922-8313 from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; or purchase online anytime at www.pcpa.org. For groups of 12 or more, call (800) PCPA-123.

Subscribers are offered the best seats, and savings of up to 40 percent. They also receive exclusive privileges including ticket exchange, first access to single tickets, an invitation to the Annual Open House, after-play receptions, and unlimited single tickets at the subscriber rate. Subscribers can choose from a four-to-five-play series, a six-to-seven-play series or an eight-to-nine-play series.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH IS ON THE ROAD

This season, PCPA Education and Outreach has more to offer schools than ever before. Besides the touring productions of “The Pearl” and the bilingual musical “Hot Tamale!/Tamale Caliente!” Theater on the Spot will make its return.

In addition, PCPA in the Schools is in the works for its second year. The theater project takes the writings of students, then turns those thoughts into a script that is performed for them by PCPA acting students.

Education and Outreach is also offering three main stage productions to local schools as part of the Student Matinee Program. This Winter/Spring’s productions include “The Sound of Music” (sold out) for grades 1 through 12, “Othello” for grades seven through college level, and “Godspell” for grades 1 through 12.

John Steinbeck’s “The Pearl” for Junior and Senior High School grade levels.

A bilingual musical “Hot Tamale!/Tamale Caliente!” best suited for grades K-6, presented in both Spanish and English so speakers of either language will understand the story.

Coming this January for all grade levels, elementary through high school, is the return of Theatre on the Spot, a Playback Theatre Company. Performers don’t use a script. Instead they take an actual event from a student’s life and turn it into a performance with music, movement and spoken word. Theatre on the Spot is suitable for grades K-12.

PCPA in the Schools involves two phases: It begins with a PCPA artist who comes into the school and conducts four writing workshops. The written work from those students is then distilled into a touring production that will be performed in the spring of 2008 for the entire school. PCPA directors and actors create the original play. PCPA in the Schools is designed for grades 5 through 12.

For more information on PCPA Education and Outreach activities, visit www.pcpa.org.

To book an Outreach Tour performance, call 928-7731, Ext. 4108.

FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY

Thanks to the generosity of two local families, free theater tickets are now available to active duty military.

Active duty military, their spouses and dependents are invited to attend any PCPA performance of “The Sound of Music” (subject to availability) for free.

This offer is made possible by a charitable donation from the families of Drs. Daniel and Ronald Ng “who wish to thank the members of the military for the sacrifices they and their families are making on behalf of our country,” according to a recent press release from the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. This offer also extends to the Reserve and the California National Guard.

"We are absolutely delighted that the Ng family has invested their hearts and their resources in helping to provide a means by which the members of our community who are serving in the military can enjoy the art of the theatre," PCPA Artistic Director Mark Booher said.

To take advantage of this free ticket offer, one active duty military ID is required per family. Tickets may be ordered at the PCPA Box Office on the campus of Hancock College, or by phone at 922-8313 from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Tickets ordered by phone will be held at Will Call, and active duty ID will be required to claim the tickets.

Booher added, "The company at PCPA Theaterfest is humbled and genuinely touched by this generous gift. We're excited to do our part to thank those people in service and their families, who render a sacrifice no less dear, who do so much to support the very fabric of our liberties."

No children under 5 will be allowed to attend performances.

For show times and dates, visit www.pcpa.org.