The musical has been the hot topic for showgoers for weeks in Tamworth, with the season wrapping up this weekend.

It’s broken box office records for the Capitol Theatre and the musical society, with more than 4300 tickets issued.

Starring Gabriela McDonald in the lead role of Maria and directed by Peter Ross, The Sound of Music has been receiving rave reviews.

“We are thrilled that the Tamworth Musical Society’s production has sold out four days before closing,” Mr Ross, who is also the Tamworth Regional Council venues manager, said.

“It’s a very special show that has connected with local audiences, many coming back a second time.”

It’s proven to be the perfect way for the Tamworth Musical Society to celebrate 125 years and proves the musical is still a popular entertainment form and here to stay.

“It’s a great endorsement of live theatre and the talent we have in the region,” Mr Ross said.

Gabriela McDonald said the response was amazing.

“I think, especially over the last couple of years, the standard of Tamworth Musical Society has really lifted and people are really starting to enjoy coming to all the shows, not just the popular ones,” she said.

Mrs McDonald said Maria was a big role to take on, because she hadn’t returned to the stage  in any musicals since having her first child five years ago.

“The pressure was there, but the cast and Peter (Ross) and Val (Godden, the musical director) have all been really supportive,” she said.

“I’d do it all again.”

She said her family was even getting involved, with her five-year-old, Cameron, seeing a matinee of the musical and walking around the house singing all the songs.

Mrs McDonald said her sister was in the 1989 Tamworth Musical Society’s production of The Sound of Music, when Mrs McDonald was six years old, and she’d always been a fan of the musical.

“I didn’t really have to learn the songs that well, because I knew them,” she said.

“I’ve watched the movie 100 times and always loved the music and loved the storyline.”

The popularity and slickness of the production owed much to the teamwork on and off stage.

“The role itself is a challenge, but that’s fun and Maria is such a lovable character, so it’s a lovely role to play,” she said.

“It’s great being involved in the theatre with such a lovely group of people. Everyone gets on really well and we are a really happy cast, so it’s nice to be there with people who enjoy the same thing we do.

“We all appreciate each other and no matter how big or small their job is, everyone has a role to play in the team of making up the show.

“It really is a lovely big team.” 

Mrs McDonald said she thought people sometimes didn’t realise how many people were working behind the scenes.

“I’m up there doing the main role, but there’s so much else going on behind the scenes,” she said.

The cast has worked hard to bring Tamworth this impeccable production.

After their final performance tomorrow night, they’re ready to let their hair down.

“I’m not sure what’s planned, but I think everyone has been quite well-behaved, so there could be a big party planned,” Mrs McDonald said.

She is not auditioning for Phantom of the Opera, with auditions starting next week and a production information night to be held on Monday.

Tamworth Musical Society will present Still Singing, a celebration of its history, in June at the Tamworth Town Hall.

In October it will have the honour of performing the region’s premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera.