The cast of the PAPA musical “The Sound of Music” gathers for a group pose during a late rehearsal. The play continues for three weekends.

CHINOOK — Samantha Grote attended Ilwaco rather than Hogwarts, but she has helped to create some magic.

If You Go

“The Sound of Music”

Peninsula Association of Performing Artists

Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Fort Columbia State Park Theater, Chinook, Wash.

7 p.m. July 21-22, 28-29, Aug. 4-5; 2 p.m. July 23, 30, Aug. 6.

Tickets, $16 general admission, $23 reserved seats, online at papatheater.com and at Okie’s Thriftway Market in Ocean Park, Wash. Call 360-836-4448 if assistance is needed.

A paid Discover Pass for parking in Washington State Parks is not required to attend the theater.

More details from info@papatheater.org

As stage manager of “The Sound of Music,” being performed in Chinook this summer, she has worked with director Jerr Harding to surmount all obstacles.

Not least has been marshaling a cast of 23 through weeks of rehearsals. The show opened July 7 and performances run through Aug. 6.

It has been a long journey. Casting was under way two months before Grote graduated from Ilwaco June 10.

She said one key to the show’s success can be summed up easily.

“Everyone likes each other, which makes it great for us,” said Grote, who was a first-time stage manager for PAPA’s “Letters from Anne of Green Gables” last summer.

“Everyone is getting along and having a good time — we want them to enjoy what they are doing!”

For her mother, PAPA leader and costume designer Angela Grote, there has been an added reward.

Observing the enthusiasm of Alis Campbell and Aralyn Brunes, who play Marta and Gretl, the youngest of the Von Trapp children, has brought back joyful family memories.

Alis is seven years old — the age Samantha was when she became hooked on theater.

“It’s really fun to watch Alis, her character, from auditions to right now,” Angela Grote said, pointing to her daughter with a loving eye, “just like her.”

“I sort of broke out of my shell,” laughed Samantha.

• The show features talented young actors who have been involved in recent memorable drama productions at Hilltop School in Ilwaco, including Ophelia Wise and Aliyanna Hudson. Four of the six actresses from PAPA’s March production of “Steel Magnolias,” Jane Schussman, Cindy Flood, Carly Keone and Raelee Erland appear, although in vastly different personas! Schussman plays the mother abbess whose wisdom guides noviciate Maria away from the church and into the arms of the captain. She sings the memorable solo, “Climb Every Mountain.”

• Producers are keen to give credit to those who worked on behind-the-scenes tasks to create the show. They include Cindy Flood, choreographer; Carly Keone, assistant choreographer; Angela Grote, costumer; Jeanette Morey, assistant costumer; Vicki Owens, hair and make-up; Coty Grote, sound technician and props; Katie Perez, props; Joel Grote, light designer; Braelyn Shearn and Tammie Caulder, lighting; Maxwell Croy, music technician; Glenn Ripley, technical projections; Penny Ripley, box office manager; Keaton Burnett, graphic designer; and Sue Holt, sign designer.