The Monkton hills will come alive on Feb. 12, 13 and 14 as St. James Academy students perform the classic musical "The Sound of Music."

Director Randi Bradley wants to shine the spotlight on many students, so she has double-cast several major roles, including Maria, the young nun who comes to the von Trapp family's house in Austria to be governess to Captain von Trapp's seven children.

Eighth-graders Karly Horn and Clare Shaffer each play Maria for two performances.

"I was so excited to get to be Maria. I'm good friends with Clare, so we've been practicing together," Karly said. "It's such a big happy show. You say 'Sound of Music' to people and they all say, 'Oh, I love that show'."

Clare should feel comfortable in stage. She shared the main role in "Annie" with Annalee Heneghan in 2008.

Annalee, now an eighth-grader, will share the role of Liesl, the oldest van Trapp child, with Georgia Knox, a seventh-grader.

Seventh-grader David Rupp is the sole actor in the role of Captain von Trapp. He said his grandmother knows Agathe von Trapp, a Maryland resident who turns 96 in March. Agathe, the oldest von Trapp child who is portrayed as Liesl in the musical, wrote a book in 2003 that chronicled her family's experiences.

"My grandmother invited her to come see the show, but she can't come," David said. "That would have been neat."

Bradley was familiar with the middle schooler's voices and acting ability since she teaches both drama and chorus at the school.

"Doing 'The Sound of Music' is an amazingly ambitious project for a middle school, but we have this fantastic group of talented kids," Bradley said. "A majority of them have been in our other shows, so it was important to challenge them."

The "Sound of Music" first opened on Broadway in 1959, with Mary Martin playing Maria. The 1965 move starred Julie Andrews.

"I've seen the movie a million times," said seventh-grader Demitra Hajimihalis. She has gone from a gangster in last year's production of "Bugsy" to Mother Abbess, who sings "Climb Every Mountain."

"I do get stage fright, but this song is so big that I'll just get over it," she said.

Victoria Blondell and Addie Holden, both in third grade, were asked to join the cast to fill the role of Gretl, the youngest von Trapp child.

"I was running around the house like crazy when I found out I was in it," said Addie, who belongs to the Children's Chorus of Maryland.Other actors include Maddalena Blondell and Lauren Bach as the Baroness engaged to Captain von Trapp; Peter Frantz as the captain's friend, Max; Christian Beltran as Liesl's boyfriend; Emma Preston as Frau Schmidt; and Jack Machen as Franz.

The other von Trapp children are played by Tanner Walrath, Ellie Marindin, Nick Frantz, Emmy Bach and Austin Nikirk.

Tickets are $8 each. They can be purchased at St. James Academy lobby, 3100 Monkton Road, weekdays from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Showtimes are Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.; Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.

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