The Sound of Music Kingston Ontario 2013

Bottle Tree Productions is pleased to be able to offer the Rodgers and Hammerstien classic "The Sound of Music' for their holiday production again, this year. The venue remains  St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church 130 Clergy East in Kingston, with performances nightly at 7:30pm Thursdays through Saturdays from December 5 through the 14th, 2013. One matinee performance is scheduled for Saturday December 7 at 2:00 pm.

As well as the classic musical, producer Anne Marie Mortensen has worked with a local restaurant and hotel to bring a special offer to heighten the impact of your evening out.

Brian Breitwieser, of Amadeus Cafe is offering a traditional Austrian three-course meal themed around one of the most famous songs from the show. The 'My Favourite Things' special features soup or salad to start, schnitzel and hot German potato salad for a main course, followed by home-made apple streudel and coffee or tea - all generously portioned and priced to please at $15.00 .

The Amabassador Hotel's Jonathan Rebello has created an overnight special for guests during the show. If dinner and the show means a late night drive home, we recommend a luxurious rooms at one of Kingston's top hotels. The room special features two queen-sized beds (can sleep up to 4 people) for $99.99.

Why not take advantage of this opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones this holiday season? Enjoy The Sound of Music live - in an intimate venue, and make this one of your favourite things.

For tickets to the show, please visit The Sound of Music tickets or phone The Grand Theatre Box Office 613-530-2050.

For dinner reservations, please call Amadeus Cafe (613)546-7468.

For room reservations please call Jonathan Rebello 613-548-3605       800-267-7880

Schnitzel and Strudel - My Favourite Things - Served Up Hot at Amadeus Cafe

How do you solve a problem like an affordable, delicious dinner out for 40 people of various ages and appetites? You make a reservation at Amadeus Cafe and suggest that they all try chef Brian Breitwieser's "My Favourite Things" special.

Breitwieser has graciously agreed to offer a special meal to his patrons,  themed for our production of The Sound of Music -- quickly suggesting the name (My Favourite Things) and the menu; soup or salad to start, schnitzel with hot German potato salad and veg, and for dessert crisp, home-made apple streudel -- all for $15.00. It sounded so good that we had to try it for ourselves!

Dinner was in the private dining room at six thirty - and it was a cold, snowy, Santa Claus Parade evening. The cast and their guests were fresh from the glow of the parade and the sharp air, and it was lovely to be in the warm atmosphere and hospitality of the restaurant.


The starter soup (of the day) was a mildly-flavoured cream of celery; the starter salad was a soup plate with three taster-sized servings of different salads. On my plate, there was a chilled potato salad, carrot salad and green salad. They were all tasty and fresh.


Most of the cast and their guests ordered the special. Zack Betts shares the role of Friedrich, the oldest VonTrapp boy, and when he was asked what he would order answered, "Oh I am definitely having the special! I'd like an extra large schnitzel." The special was a small schnitzel, however,  it filled half of the plate --  the other half was potato salad. The vegetable serving was placed artistically and pragmatically on the rim  of the plate. The schnitzel and German potato salad both had starring roles - each was delicious and was the perfect companion to the other.

Dessert is always a hit. The apple streudel was light and crisp, and served hot with fresh whipped cream. It was the perfect end to a great dinner.

Everyone in the room commented on the quality of food and service, and the beer menu features many German and Austrian selections. I am already planning another visit.

If you would like to treat yourself and your family to the My Favourite Things special, it is available at Amadeus Cafe on Princess street (between Montreal and Bagot streets). Of course, we recommend pairing the dinner with tickets to The Sound of Music for a holiday family outing that will create memories for a lifetime.

Amadeus Cafe 613 - 546-7468

170 Princess Street

Tickets for The Sound of Music available online at www.bottletreeinc.com and via The Grand Theatre Box Office

Meet the Marias

Bottle Tree Productions is pleased introduce Erinn Roberts and Sara Sturgeon, the two women who are sharing the leading role of Maria in the holiday production of The Sound of Music, which runs December 5 through December 14, Thursdays through Saturdays, 7:30pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Director Charles Robertson says that despite the extra work of rehearsing two leads (and he has also cast two Rolfs and two sets of VonTrapp children!) there are so many talented young women who auditioned, that he wanted to create as many opportunities as possible. Roberts and Sturgeon, he says, are 'very different in appearance, but very similar in their passion for the musical and each brings charm and talent to the role.'

Erinn Roberts, who has performances on December 5, 7, and 13, is the mother of two young boys, and holds a PhD in opera/vocal music performace from the University of British Columbia. She has performed in operas and musical theatre throughout western Canada and has toured extensively through British Columbia and Europe with the University of British-Columbia Opera Ensemble. She has a music studio in Kingston, and is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator. When asked about the rehearsal process of this show compared to others that she has done, Roberts says, "The schedule is similar - they are busy - but having the children in the cast makes it fun and more relaxed. It is always uplifting to be around such positive people."

University student Sara Sturgeon reprises her role as Maria on December 6, 12, and 14. Sara attends Queen's University, studying French and Concurrent Education. Sara is fluently bilingual in French and English, and grew up in a military family. She has been on stage in Kingston several times over the last five years, both in school and community theatre productions. This is Sara's second year as Maria, and her enthusiasm for the production is infectious. "I love this show so much - I was so happy to be cast as Maria, but honestly, I would have played anything just to take part," says Sturgeon.

These two 'Marias' can be seen and heard performing on alternating evenings from December 5 through December 14, Thursdays through Saturdays. For more information about "The Sound of Music" or to buy tickets, please contact The Grand Theatre 613-530-2050 or Bottle Tree Productions info@bottletreeinc.com

*Sara Sturgeon photo courtesy of Mark Bergin.

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November newsletter - special ticket prices, Christmas ideas, casting call

We hope that you had a Happy Hallowe'en and that you are able to enjoy some of this balmy (but windy) autumn weather! We have a few things to share with you:

The Sound of Music Producer's Special  - any ticket for the CHILD PRICE ($18.00, tx incl) That's $7.00 off the price of an adult ticket.  This is a special offer and will end on November 10, 2013, and you can take advantage of it by following this link http://www.bottletreeinc.com/soundofmusic_special.html and purchasing online, OR you can contact any cast member for 'real' tickets. Remember that we have two casts of Marias and children, so if you have a friend or family in the show, please check the date so that you buy for 'their' show! Please feel free to share this link with YOUR friends and family.  Amadeus Cafe is also getting ready for The Sound of Music and they will be offering a 'My Favourite Things Special' - Soup or salad to start, schnitzel with German potato salad, home-made fresh apple struedel, tea or coffee - all for just $15.00 (tax/gratuity not included). If you have company coming in from out of town, and no space to put them up - The Ambassador Hotel is offering a special room rate to people who are attending our show. $99.99 taxes included, two Queen beds (up to four people).

See it live, together, at Christmas. It's a wonderful tradition.

Remember that our Musical Theatre class starts in January 2014, and this year's production is Disney's "Beauty and the Beast, JR". This class is a full-out musical theatre production for young people from 8 - 18 years old. It is produced like our main stage shows with one big exception - you do not have to audition! Every student enrolled in the class is cast in the show, and this show can accommodate a very large cast. Our Musical Theatre Class makes a terrific holiday gift that keeps on giving. Students in our classes learn teamwork, develop confidence, learn skills that cross over to math, science, english, fine arts, music, and phsyical education. The performers in our musical theatre class take great pride in their shows. To register, please visit our class page http://www.bottletreeinc.com/musical_theatre_class.html

Give your young person a gift that builds skills and friendships for a lifetime.

Casting call posted today: please visit http://www.bottletreeinc.com/auditions.html for the notice for YTV's Family Dynamic.

There are also some things happening in town that you may enjoy - Cantabile Choirs of Kingston's concert 'On Nordic Shores' is Saturday Nov. 2 at Sydenham Street United Church. Visit their website for tickets to what promises to be a beautiful concert. Kingston Meistersingers are now up and running with 'Young Frankenstein - The Musical'. The show runs from now until Sunday November 10. Please visit their website or The Grand Theatre for information about performance dates and time, and to buy tickets.

Remember that our next session of Stage Right acting classes (for all ages) begins January, and you can register any time. http://www.bottletreeinc.com/acting_classes.html

Hope to see you soon!

Anne Marie