Statesville, NC – The streets of Statesville are alive with The Sound of Music! Rehearsals are well underway as Center Stage Alliance prepares for this beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic to open March 16, at Mac Gray Auditorium in Statesville.  

The Sound of Music will feature a stellar cast of adults and children from Statesville and  surrounding areas. Also joining the cast is professional actor Mike McColl, who was raised in  North Carolina. While McColl has called Los Angeles home for the past 25 years, strong family ties keep him connected to Iredell County and Center Stage Alliance — his cousin, Josh Myers, is directing this production, and Josh and his wife, Mykel, founded the company in 2020.  Performing in the role of Captain Georg von Trapp, McColl stands center stage with an  impressive ensemble cast, in this timeless classic which reminds us that hope can exist even in  the most trying of times.  

McColl moved to LA in 1996 to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has  worked on-screen, stage and microphone ever since.  

Recent television credits include recurring roles on NETFLIX’s The Lincoln Lawyer and ABC’s  Grey’s Anatomy, as well as guest-star appearances on TNT’s Animal Kingdom and  SHOWTIME’s Shameless. He also plays redneck carny Ricky Joe in the soon-to-be-released  movie Rumble Through the Dark, starring Aaron Eckhart and Bella Thorne. Some Los Angeles  stage credits include Firemen and American Falls (Echo Theatre Co.), Flu Season and Fathers  and Sons (Circle X). He has been the promo/trailer voice for countless television shows and  movies, including Paramount Network’s mega-hit Yellowstone and ABC’s long-running hit, The  Bachelor.  

McColl is thrilled to be working with Center Stage Alliance under the direction of Josh Myers, music director Lisa Matthews, and choreographer Jatana Stevenson.  

“We are elated to have Mike in The Sound of Music,” said Center Stage Alliance President  Mykel Myers. “He and his wife, Gwyn, have been a trusted and valuable resource for our  company since its inception, and will continue to mentor in every aspect of the organization. 

They will also be an instrumental part of our educational team, leading in the classroom and onstage.” They will perform these leadership roles remotely from California when necessary and  in person when possible.  

“My wife and I have a deep and abiding love for the theatre and are excited about being a part of the Center Stage Alliance family,” McColl said. “I wish I’d had a community theatre like this  when I was a kid. It’s the kind of thing that can have a profound and

positive impact on not just  those involved directly, but on audiences and the community as a whole. I’m glad to see that  there’s great support from local folks already and hope that will continue to grow.”  

“I’ve always wanted to play the role of Captain von Trapp and work on a show with my cousin  Josh,” he added. “The timing was right and I think the production is going to be terrific!”  

“Mike and I have always had a relationship more like brotherhood, and he’s been a role model  for years. We’ve been wanting to work on a project together since I graduated from film school  22 years ago. Anytime he’s home, we spend hours talking about film, theatre, art and music,”  said Josh Myers.

“Soon after we announced auditions for The Sound of Music, he asked if he  could submit a video audition for the role of The Captain. I was beside myself with surprise and  excitement. What didn’t surprise me was how good his audition videos were, or how impressed  the rest of the panel was when we watched them together. His support and guidance have  helped Mykel and I through our entire theatre career, and his counsel was foundational in our  development of the idea for Center Stage Alliance.

His trust and faith in my vision have buttressed my confidence and drive to lead this whole team to somewhere fresh and honest  with this well-known material.”  

McColl stars alongside Ashley Gardner, who plays Maria Rainer, Tennille Sherrill as Mother  Abbess, and many others. 

“I feel like a director’s most important job is choosing the right people for the project. I couldn’t  be more proud of the production team that I’ve gathered, and this entire cast seems like a gift.  This local talent blows my mind nightly at rehearsals. There are plenty of times where you’d be  hard pressed to pick out the pro from the first timers — they have all risen to the occasion and  show up prepared and ready to work,” said Josh Myers. “I’ve experienced goosebumps many  times, tears a few times and goofy, awestruck smiles more times than I can count. I fall in love  with this cast anew at each rehearsal. We look forward to introducing these talented cast  members, and more, as the show’s opening approaches. Be sure to look for your friends and  neighbors!” 

Follow rehearsals and progress on the Center Stage Alliance Facebook and

Instagram page. 

Shows are at 7:30pm on March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25, and at 3:30 pm on March 19.

Tickets  are available in advance online for $16, or at the door for $20. To purchase tickets online, visit  www.centerstagealliance.org. 

The Sound of Music would not be possible without the support of show sponsors Griffin  Insurance, Simply Southern Smiles, Iredell Health System, Sir Speedy, the Iredell Arts Council,  the North Carolina Arts Council, The United Way of Iredell County, and many others.  

About Center Stage Alliance 

Center Stage Alliance, a newly formed 501(c)(3) community theatre group focused on youth education  and community theatre, has a mission to create and unite through the arts. Center Stage Alliance aims to  bring youth and the arts together, expanding knowledge in each area and creating quality group  performances, projects, and shows for the community. Students receive professional training in the arts  and learn to focus on individual growth while simultaneously working, united, toward a greater cause.  Learn more at centerstagealliance.org.  

###

CenterStageAlliance.org 

139 E. Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677