GULF SHORES, Ala. — What is community theater, anyway? A group of people getting together to put on a production in order to entertain friends and neighbors … a place to see productions of old favorites or be introduced to new pieces … a stage upon which an actor may learn and grow with an friendly audience to watch?

Community theater is certainly all of these, and the South Baldwin Community Theatre has opened the new season with a strong and entertaining production of “The Sound of Music,” directed by James Keith Posey.

Most of us have grown up watching the Julie Andrews version of the Von Trapp story, but it was a pleasant surprise to have the “local version” choreographed and performed so well.

The cast is strong down to the smallest Von Trapp children, Marta (Isabella Alberti) and Gretl (Angelina Alberti).

In fact, all of the Captain’s children are well rehearsed and talented. Louisa (Bailey Kennon) and Brigitta (Brittany Noe) flow through their dance moves like true dancers, and Kurt (Andrew Williams) shows a becoming bit of spunk in the delivery of his lines.

Friedrich (Mick Grocholl) smiles and charms his way through each scene and Liesl’s (Glennellen Anderson) tears and teenage confusion are convincing as she leads the cast of children. Her background and theater experience serves the production well.

While the children win an audience most anytime, this cast of adults is equally captivating.

The nuns chanting Latin from the sides of the theater set the abbey scenes and becomes the thread that ties all the parts of the story together.

The Mother Abbess (Barbara Shepard) has stage presence and the talent to be able to sing “Climb Every Mountain” and peak us for the closing events of the story.

If there are stereotypes of Herr Zeller (Tom Williams), Elsa (Marsha Guyer), Frau Schmidt (Sherri Killam-Williams) and Rolf (Ryan Williams), then they are definitely found in Baldwin County.

And who would think that a Baroness and a plotting Max would have voices so well matched?

The comedic lines have good timing and, with the aid of individual mics and a good sound crew, can be heard and enjoyed.

Then there are the lead roles, the stars of the show, the ones with the difficult lines and pitches.

Maria (Valerie Johnson) from her coiffure and frocks to her suitcase and hat quickly dismisses the Julie Andrews images and put her own in its stead. With not a bobble, she clips through “Do Re Mi” and “The Lonely Goatherd,” leaving the audience to appreciate her gifted voice and what must have been hours of practice!

Her Captain (Dale Jones) is appropriately stiff, bossy, then bashful, and carries his scenes off well.

The scenes and sets are far from hokey and the brief wedding scene is portrayed with beautiful costumes.

The cemetery scene lacks tension, but again, the music and sets leads the audience to the closing reprise.

What is community theater? It’s seeing your friends be “one liners” and set designers, costumers and stepping into roles we would not have envisioned them in before.

It’s being told over coffee that there are 250 pages of accompaniment to learn, and appreciating the dedication of even the smallest part to be rehearsed and delivered the best it can be: it is having a new appreciation for the many talents needed to present such a confident performance individually and collectively.

Sure, the lights might be a bit bright as Mother Abbess climbs her mountain, sure the scenery changes take a bit of time, and sure we have Austrians and Germans with Southern accents, but it’s a sure fact that if you want to enjoy the familiar songs and story, you won’t be disappointed in this production.

The production is being staged at South Baldwin Community Theatre through Oct. 4 at its newly renovated home, 2022 W. Second St. in Gulf Shores.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students. Group rates are available.

For more information, call (251) 968-6721.