The final performance of The Sound of Music wrapped up Saturday evening to the applause of yet another sold-out crowd.

The Prairie Players performed the musical for four evenings, including two dinner theatres, with sold-out shows each night. Director Chris Kitchen explains this is a first.

"For the first time in Prairie Player' history we've sold out all four nights. Sometimes we say that word, we kind out throw out 'sold out' but this is legitimate. We've had maybe a seat in the middle of this or a seat in the middle of there and that's about the extent of it."

He says they were very excited about the fantastic response to the play, adding it's a familiar, happy piece for a lot of people.

People came from around the region to take in the play, Winnipegger Gloria Dueck came out with some friends from Arborg and she shares her impressions.

"It's very good. I've enjoyed the music, it's very well done."

Portager Terry Giercke is a fan off The Sound of Music and even took a trip to Austria where she visited some of the real-life locations from the story. She took in the play on Saturday and says it was fantastic.

"It's very good. It's so impressive that we can put something on, here in Portage, that has this talent. It's wonderful."

The final two performances included a dinner theatre and cast & crew member Stephanie Kauffman explains it makes for a different experience for the actors.

"We have been doing two nights with the bleachers, the risers, and about 400 people so that really gets the excitement going. Dinner theatre is a little bit different because people are more relaxed, they're eating and enjoying life. But, especially for people who haven't done a lot of acting, when they come out and do it they'll come backstage and say 'is it not quite as funny tonight?' and it's like 'oh yes, it is funny, people are really enjoying it' and they're like 'but it's so much quieter.' And so it's just a different style."

She adds walking up to the stage, for the nuns and soldiers, was also a bit more difficult due to all the tables and chairs.

The meal at the dinner theatre was catered by Bill's Sticky Fingers. Bill explains the dinner theatres require a lot of work and planning, as well as the use of the restaurant's portable kitchen. He adds it wouldn't have been possible without the teamwork of his staff.