By Joanne Gonnerman Special to the Independent Tribune
For Cabarrus County District Court Judge Michael Knox, growing up in a family where singing defined most gatherings, music was second nature.
His was the family exemplified in those picturesque images of loved ones singing carols together around the piano at Christmas.
Knox also sang in a family quartet that included an uncle and two cousins.
The quartet sang weekly for more than six years during the early service at Knox’s home church, Bethel Presbyterian Church, in Cornelius.
“Music has always been part of my life,” Knox said.
Surprisingly, however, Knox has never had voice lessons.
Today, Knox’s family music legacy has an uncanny parallel in his life as he debuts this week as the illustrious Captain Georg von Trapp in the Old Courthouse Theatre production of “Sound of Music,” Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1965 classic story of love, hope, war and achievement … a story immortalized by a family who sings.
Knox’s journey to theatre performance is short.
In December 2008, he overheard his trial court coordinator, Karen Harris, talk about her daughter’s audition for the musical on a Monday.
The very next day, Knox was at Old Courthouse Theatre to audition for an adult role, namely the part of Captain von Trapp.
It wasn’t that Knox had an infinity for the musical or even Captain von Trapp’s character. Knox simply wanted to try something different.
“(Auditioning) just sounded like another interesting thing to try,” Knox said. “That’s what life is about — trying out new things and trying to learn something from it. I didn’t tell anyone. I just went and did it.”
Knox added he’s received a lot of ribbing from attorneys at the Courthouse about his role as Captain von Trapp.
“It’s a consensus between people that know me that this is definitely outside of my box,” Knox said.
Knox has earned praise from the play’s director, Hal Houston, for his first-ever role in community theater.
“He’s (Knox) done really, really well,” Houston said. “Everything is new to him. His performance is refreshing … it has humility in it. He makes the Captain a real person, someone you care about. You can’t discount that he has a beautiful voice.”
Houston added Knox needed to learn a lot about stage performance, including theater terms, like stage right, own your spot, and curtain call.
“He’s taking notes,” Houston said. “We’re working on the bow. I want him to be comfortable with thanking the audience.”
Denise Ablard, stage manager for “Sound of Music,” also praised Knox for his first role in community theater.
“He’s done a fabulous job being off book so fast,” said Ablard, noting that the role of Captain von Trapp is the second largest speaking part in the play, second only to Maria, played by Christy Hinkelman, a teacher at a charter school in Charlotte.
“Michael has done a super great job,” Ablard. “He’s learned the music, his lines, the Laendler, the dance he does with Maria. His confidence has just grown from every rehearsal.”
Knox, as Captain von Trapp, sings six songs in the play, including the infamous “Edelweiss”.
“It’s just one of the songs you know from the “Sound of Music,” Ablard said.
Has the fact that Knox is a district court judge influenced his fellow cast members?
“I don’t think so,” said Houston. “To the cast, he’s Michael. To the kids, he’s their Dad.”
To the audience, which is nearing sold-out status for nearly every performance, Judge Michael Knox may be the newest community theater star in town.
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