WILTON — White-gloved hands fluttered without sound Tuesday as the Mime Time Players practiced a mime clap for their performances Thursday of “Alive with ‘The Sound of Music.'”

The performances take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Wilton Congregational Church on Main Street. 

During this summer program, about a dozen youngsters, ages 7 to 14, have practiced the silent mime moves along with songs from “The Sound of Music,” over the past few weeks.

As Director Betty Shibles gives last rehearsal instructions Tuesday, the young players “freeze in place” to hear her words.

Pianists Thad Gunther and Megan House then guide the youngsters’ motions with song as Andrea Kaplan and Al Kaplan make adjustments to the sound system, assuring the performance can be heard throughout the church.

The players will wear the traditional black shirts and white gloves of mime performances along with white makeup applied to their faces that sport dashes of teardrops and fun eyebrows.

It’s not all silence for some of the mime players as Jade Tyler, Selena Willette and Natalee House rehearse “My Favorite Things.”

Other Mime Time Players include Gavin Mills, Gentry House, Liam Smith, Harrison Smith, Lauren Smith and Isabella Webster.

Along with playing the piano, Megan House also sings a couple solos, including “The Sound of Music.” For the second solo,”Climb Every Mountain,” she’s accompanied by Gunther on the piano. Gunther and House, both 14, will enter their freshman year at Mt. Blue High School this fall, Shibles said.

This is the first year that the Wilton Recreation Committee has sponsored the summer program, Al Kaplan said. Shibles offers a similar mime program for children during the school year.

The public is welcome to attend the day and evening shows Thursday. There is no charge but a donation basket will be available following each performance.

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