Although the “extra” musical numbers are staged adeptly, they may push the musical’s length beyond what very young children can handle. At two hours, 40 minutes, it may be too long for some of younger viewers’ attention spans. The only quibble with this family-friendly production is its running time. Young viewers are sure to giggle at Detweiler’s antics as he attempts to get his way despite the Captain’s wishes. Maya Danks as Elsa and Ryan Jay as Max Detweiler are always fun to watch in their several scenes together. Zapiain and Specht convey a growing admiration and eventual romantic interest as the older lovers, while Hipp and Brandon Engle as Rolf demonstrate their own growing attraction in the tune, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.”
The children shine when performing such numbers as “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “So Long, Farewell.” The children’s extensive wardrobe ranges from uniforms and play clothes (made from “old curtains”) to dressier clothes for a grown-up party at the von Trapp mansion (costumes by Mary Seigel). The remainder are: Johnathan Doome, Nora Griffin, Johnny Koniar, Naomi Robinson and Gemma Gerovac. The von Trapp kids range from Emma Hipp as an age-appropriate Liesl, the oldest to Alexus Coleman as the scene-stealing, five-year-old Gretl. Specht does a fine job of portraying the Captain’s stiff demeanor, and it’s heartwarming to see him soften as he lets down his guard. Yet, she isn’t afraid to stand up to the Captain when necessary. She demonstrates Maria’s modest charm as well as her determination to bring joy back into the household. Zapiain is a multi-talented performer, in a role that demands that she sing, dance and act with precision. An Adorable and Talented Group of Child Performers
She is sent to the lavish nearby estate of Captain von Trapp to take care of his young children, ranging from age 5 to 16. However, it’s clear to almost everyone that her behavior is far too rambunctious for the confines of a convent. Zapiain captures the innocence of a young girl who longs to become a nun. The uniformly excellent cast is led by Sarah Zapiain as Maria, with Matt Specht as Captain von Trapp. Later, when Pyeatt breaks into her solo number, “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” it is one of the musical’s highlights. Led by the incredibly talented Kathy Pyeatt as Mother Abbess, the nuns sing with such conviction that is almost brings tears to your eyes. Particularly noteworthy are the convent nuns, who are sometimes overlooked in stage productions. In the Franklin production, a large cast, under the able direction of Randall Dodge, performs brilliantly. It was a blockbuster Broadway hit that played for years on the Great White Way. The 1959 Broadway production starred the late Mary Martin, and it won five Tony Awards. Like the film, the musical features many of the same songs, such as “Edelweiss”, “My Favorite” Things,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi” and “The Sound of Music.” The score also features a couple of additional tunes, which were edited from the film. The musical, based on true events, features the music of Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers. The film was shot in Austria, with its breathtaking choreography and the effervescent Julie Andrews as Maria, and the late Christopher Plummer as the handsome but strict Captain von Trapp. Most readers will be more familiar with the popular 1965 film than the stage play. The whole family must flee Austria after the Captain refuses to serve in the German military. Eventually, she falls in love with the children, and then with the Captain, too. At first, Maria is very nervous about the thought of being in charge of the seven children in Captain von Trapp’s family. Maria, an exuberant young governess, brings music and happiness back to a broken family that is still grieving the loss of a mother and wife who died several years earlier. Forte Theatre Company 'The Sound of Music'įor the uninitiated, The Sound of Music is set in Austria in 1938, as the Nazis begin their push into neighboring territories.
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