Two Shelby County residents will get to pull on a military uniform and a nun’s habit and travel back in time to World War II Austria in the Red Mountain Theatre Company’s production of “The Sound of Music” July 15-Aug. 1.

Mike Bratton of Helena and Amy Johnson of Montevallo have been rehearsing more than 25 hours per week, and even longer on weekends, to make sure their performances will be sharp for every show.

“It’s definitely like having another demanding full-time job at times, but one that you really love to show up for,” said Johnson, who plays a number of ensemble roles including Sister Berthe, a sister in Nonnberg Abbey who doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the Reverend Mother about Maria and her ability to become a nun. “It’s incredibly rewarding,” she said.

Bratton, who plays the show’s villain Admiral Von Schriver, called his time with the company “a job as well as an adventure.”

“I love it all,” he said. “We rehearse every waking moment, because when you’re not on stage and you have free time, it’s important to run over what you do.”

Both Bratton and Johnson have long resumes filled with theatre experience.

“The Sound of Music marks Bratton’s fifth show in general, and his first with the Red Mountain Theatre Company.

Johnson’s played in several shows, including “Annie,” and “Oliver,” and has even been in “The Sound of Music” once before.

“We have to find a way to breathe life in to every one of the characters that we portray, no matter how fleeting their moment on stage may be,” Johnson said. “Each one of those people are an integral part of the story in their own way and no two people should ever be the same, just as they aren’t in real life.”

Bratton encourages fans of the movie starring Julie Andrews to come see the show.

“There’s music in the live stage musical that isn’t in the movie, and the plot is more in-depth. It’s great for the whole family,” Bratton said.

For more information, including ticket pricing and showtimes, call 324-2424 or visit Redmountaintheatre.org.