Alive with song
By STARLA POINTER
Of the News-Register
The Rodgers and Hammerstein music is wonderful, of course, and it's wonderfully done as well, in Gallery Theater's "The Sound of Music," which opened Friday.
Most of the songs are staples you already know: "Climb Every Mountain," "My Favorite Things," "Edelweiss" and the title tune, among them. But whether they are familiar already or new to you, you'll surely be singing them as you leave this charming performance.
The best scenes involve the interaction between Maria (Ember Eastman) and the Von Trapp children (delightfully played by Brittney Bailey, Jamos Velarde, Courtney Joel, Lydia Dolence, Colton Price, Mya Clover Owens and Mikaela Borg).
Maria, a would-be nun who is struggling at her Austrian convent, is sent to the Von Trapp estate as a governess for the motherless children. Before she even takes off her coat, she is teaching the brood the basics of singing - "Do, Re, Mi" - and the joys of a less regimented lifestyle. They quickly form a family bond.
The scenes between Maria and Capt. Von Trapp (Erich Berg) also are very believable - Eastman and Berg have a nice connection. And Berg does a nice job changing from stern commander to warm father, thanks to the power of music.
Max Detweiler (Nathan Muti) and Elsa Schrader (Kerra Keskatillo) serve as comic relief for much of the show. Detweiler is a shameless self-promoter who admittedly uses his personality to sponge off the rich. Schrader is the captain's perfect match, on paper at least: wealthy, widowed and ready to wed.
But both characters also represent a common stance. Since there's nothing they can do to stop the Nazis from taking over Austria, they decide to protect their own interests by just going along with the new regime. That's not a position Von Trapp is willing to take.
With Maria's wholehearted support, the captain and his children flee their beloved homeland rather than bow to Nazi rule. That keeps their principles - and their music - alive.
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Eastman creates a Maria who is street smart and plucky - a firecracker capable of holding her own not only against seven willful children, but also against their father.
Frankly, I wasn't sure about her at first; I was expecting a more traditional, sweetly innocent Maria. But I grew to like this characterization very much - and after all, the point of the whole story is that Maria doesn't fit in at the convent, but has an equally important destiny awaiting her.
Mother Abbess (Kristen Courter, who brings a beautiful voice to the role) and the other nuns are another highlight of the show. At one point, 16 nuns are singing - a heavenly sound, indeed.
Vocals are well done throughout "The Sound of Music," directed by Seth Renne with musical direction by Kathleen Walter, who also plays the housekeeper.
Dancing is featured, as well, with choreography by Eastman and Rjay Sugden Carey. There's an especially lovely showpiece during the Von Trapps' party.
The ball costumes and the numerous outfits for Maria and the children - including white dresses with blue satin sashes and play clothes made from curtains - are beautifully done. Kudos to the costume crew (designer Carey, assistant Kelsey Jo Roesner and Linda Prince, Antonia Osterhout, Carol Burnett and Chasey Heimos).
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The set is kept to a minimum, which is just fine, as it lets the audience focus on the costumes, characters and music. I like how the show makes use of the area in front of the curtain for some scenes - I expect that for many people, the brief scene in which the children tiptoe through the house during a storm will be a sentimental favorite.
The live band sounds good. The instruments overwhelm some of the quieter singers, though.
There are a few details that need correcting. For instance, the Nazi followers should salute with their right hands, not their left. And a couple of the three-hour play's scenes seem like dull gray filler between the bright and lively scenes involving Maria and the children.
Overall, though, it's a very good production of a classic show. You shouldn't miss it.
