Musical Theatre West’s current performance of “The Sound of Music” is a classic tale that’s close to many people’s hearts. For two cast members in leading female roles, the musical is also close to home, as they fulfill a lifelong dream of acting in the iconic performances.
Juliana Sloan grew up in the theater. She has cherished memories of watching musicals “Oklahoma” and “The Little Shop of Horrors” as a child, singing songs with her father and dancing with her mother, both of whom she described as “creative souls.”
Joining the theater world as a child, Sloan went for one of the most popular young actor roles: a Von Trapp child in “The Sound of Music.” With seven children rounding out the main cast, it’s a logical aspiration, and one of Sloan’s favorite musicals growing up.
Though Sloan was never cast as a Von Trapp child, she’s fulfilling that dream in a different way: as Maria Rainer, the governess that’s sent to watch over the seven Von Trapp children.
“I think there’s just such a joy as a child watching it, there’s just so much fun and joy and the music is contagious and thrilling,” Sloan said. “As I’ve gotten older, it has a lot to do with the timelessness of the story and how important the message is of sticking to your convictions and having faith in yourself and continuing to search for the life you were meant to live.”
It’s a message that Sloan has lived out herself. She was living in New York for eight years, traveling across the country for endless musical roles in order to make a living when she decided to leave the country and take a break from the art form.
Sloan packed her bags for Europe and left years later with a Master’s degree in acting, and a renewed “zest” for the theater. This time living in Los Angeles, she was determined to take roles that truly meant something to her, which meant being okay with saying no to other jobs.
“It’s no secret that you can’t really make a living as a musical theater performer in Los Angeles,” Sloan said. “ … Part of it was, ‘How can I set myself up to live the life I want in the city that I want to be in and still be a paid creator?’”
Upon her Los Angeles return, Sloan was offered a job acting in a musical at Disneyland, but she knew her heart belonged to the classics. Some of her idols in the musical world include Rodgers and Hammerstein, who wrote nine musicals together such as “Oklahoma,” “Juliet and Me,” “Allegro,” and of course, “The Sound of Music.”
In 2019, Sloan began teaching singing lessons to children after multiple people approached her for help. Her teaching is a labor of love, as she eventually took over for the woman whom she apprenticed under, and now gets to teach children growing up in the theater.
When Sloan saw that Musical Theatre West was honoring the classic this year, she immediately prioritized the opportunity to live out her dream. Sloan now plays the wise, joyful music-loving Maria Rainer, sharing the same magic that she felt as a child watching the timeless story.
The show completely sold out its opening weekend, as Long Beach residents and musical lovers flocked to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
“That’s not lost on me how special it is that it’s come full circle, but also what an important and special position I’m in playing Maria with these young impressionable children,” Sloan said.
The oldest of her “children” in the play is Natalie Gissel, who is the understudy for the role of Leisl, and is also returning to the Musical Theatre West stage in a full circle moment.
Gissel got her start at Musical Theatre West as a second grader, but in the auditorium seats rather than on the stage.
Musical Theatre West invites local schools for a free matinee every year, and Gissel has vivid memories of watching “See Me in St. Louis” and realizing her new dream as she saw kids her own age performing.
“I took dance lessons and I liked to sing, but I didn’t realize it was something I could do as a career option, it clicked at that moment,” Gissel said.
Gissel received her bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach in music education, often passing by the Carpenter Performing Arts Center where she performed in dance recitals as a child.
Though she’s set on her plan to become a music teacher, the theater bug came back to her about a year ago, when she saw “The Sound of Music” was coming to Long Beach.
“I find myself every curtain call kind of tearing up that we have an audience and we get to share this really beautiful story,” Gissel said. “As I grow up, different parts of it speak to me and things that went over my head as a kid are really touching now and people seem to really enjoy it.”
“The Sound of Music” will be showing at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at 6200 E Atherton St. on select dates through Nov. 5. Tickets can be purchased at musical.org/the-sound-of-music/.
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