“What is going on to occur goes to occur. Simply be certain it would not occur to you.” – Max Detweiler in The Sound of Music.
Two characters in The Sound of Music, Max and Elsa, select to stay impartial for the sake of consolation and security through the rise of Nazi Germany in 1938. Their attitudes of “go alongside to get alongside” and privileged apathy provide a lens by means of which to discover sure human responses to encroaching authoritarianism and the way individuals navigate ethical dilemmas in politically charged occasions. At the moment in historical past, many weren’t afforded such a luxurious and suffered dearly. Others have been defiant, and selected the trail of principled resistance. One such individual was Captain Georg Von Trapp, who sees what’s on the horizon as a betrayal of his, and his nation’s, values.
Primarily based on the e book The Story of the Trapp Household Singers, a memoir written by household matriarch Maria Von Trapp, The Sound of Music depicts the true story of an Austrian naval captain, his seven kids and a nun postulate named Maria, who got here to them as the most recent in an extended line of governesses. The timeline is the eve of the Anschluss – the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany – and amid this turmoil are two individuals falling in love. Along with being a little bit of a historical past lesson and love story, The Sound of Music was a Broadway present that ran for 1,444 performances, from 1959 to 1963, successful 5 Tony Awards.
The stay model, with music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and e book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, appears destined to perpetually stay below the shadow of a subsequently widespread film musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. It is onerous to not make comparisons because the movie, which gained 5 Oscars, is so beloved and memorable. Whereas there are some variations between the stay model and the movie adaptation, the story and message stay the identical.
Directed by Kevin Hart, Springfield Theatre Centre’s manufacturing of The Sound of Music is an fulfilling mixture of honest, refined performances, sturdy vocals and – imagine it or not – nice comedian timing. There is a honest quantity of witty dialog and humorous moments within the play that would have been simply overplayed for the sake of amusing. Not right here, although. The actors, younger and older, did a superb job of letting the viewers merely get pleasure from a second or the supply. Supported by a gifted orchestra, additionally led by Kevin Hart, the musical numbers entertained, together with favorites “My Favourite Issues,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Happening Seventeen,” title quantity “The Sound of Music,” and the uplifting, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”
The solid impressed with their characterizations and what felt like an actual sense of connection throughout the ensemble. Lauren Williams as Maria shines with a refined, assured stage presence and wonderful singing voice. Her humble Maria was totally plausible because the selfless caregiver, dedicated to her religion, but struggling to grasp and settle for her emotions for the Captain. Dan Wright as Captain Von Trapp introduced a commanding presence as a grieving man who ultimately softens, embracing his kids and his love for Maria. The Von Trapp household kids (Julia Rolens as Leisl, Vincent Powell as Fredrich, Elena Dean as Louisa, Liam Bennett as Kurt, Magdalena Osterhuber as Brigitta, Brinley Lobb as Marta, Cosette Kent as Gretl) have been all great, capably embodying their characters as siblings: singing, dancing and laughing collectively.
Additionally price mentioning are Greg Peterson as Max and Abby Buoy as Elsa. They every dove into their roles with out utterly turning them into caricatures. And I might be remiss if I did not point out Michelle Ford Knott as Mom Abbess, simply one in every of my favourite characters on this present, singing one in every of my favourite songs, and he or she didn’t disappoint. The viewers clearly shared in my enthusiasm for her heat and grounded portrayal and transferring rendition of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”
I used to be a little bit confounded by some manufacturing particulars. There have been a number of scenes with characters wearing black usually set in opposition to a black background which made for unusual viewing. Additionally, costumes in some scenes appeared to run the gamut from the Forties to the Nineteen Nineties, whereas at different occasions they have been completely fashionable, well-crafted and applicable to the time interval or scene. Then at one level, a really trendy wi-fi microphone was introduced onstage. I need to confess to scratching my head at that one. Nonetheless, by the top, the cheering, standing viewers confirmed its simply appreciation.
The Sound of Music continues Might 16-18, Friday and Saturday curtain at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. on the Hoogland Middle for the Arts LRS Theatre. Tickets can be found at HCFTA.org or on the door.
