By Amanda VanNostrand.
The Kimmel Center’s Merriam Theater is presenting a few of our favorite things through The Sound of Music from now until April 29th. It seems that no matter how many years pass since that fateful time in Austria, The Sound of Music will remain a classic. Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp, this new production of The Sound of Music produced by NETworks Presentations is familiar and enjoyable from start to finish.
For the few who are unfamiliar with this charming story, The Sound of Music is the tale of Maria, a soon-to-be nun who, due to her spunky, adventurous persona, is nudged out of Nonnberg Abbey back into the real world of 1938 Austria. She is sent as a governess for seven children who have recently lost their mother and live under the rigid rule of their father, a former Captain in the Navy. Maria teaches the children to sing and through her vocals and her charm, she earns her way into the hearts of the entire family. As tensions with Germany rise and Austria falls, this love story restores hope in familial bonds and humanity.
As always, the Kimmel Center delivers perfection. Each person gracing the stage and taking part behind the scenes performs immaculate work.
Let’s start at the very beginning: The Mother Abbess, played by Lauren Kidwell, opens the show at The Nonnberg Abbey with Preludium, and she and the sisters absolutely nail the performance. Anyone familiar with the 1965 film will recognize the song and will appreciate this lovely live rendition. Kidwell does not finish here: her vocal talents are flawless and though every voice in this show is presented with pure expertise, none measure up to her abilities. She brings Climb Ev’ry Mountain to a new level of greatness!
All seven von Trapp children are fittingly charming, adorable, and incredibly talented. From Kelsie Ward, who plays Liesel down to Sophia Massa as Gretl, these seven flow together and their singing voices are simply angelic, creating the perfect combination of von Trapp siblings.
As the star, Jill-Christine Wiley as Maria Rainer is a perfect choice. Her voice is pure, and her acting flows seamlessly with the children’s. The chemistry they have is believable and exactly what a fan of this story would hope for. But Wiley’s chemistry does not flow solely with the children: her flow with Mike McLean as Captain von Trapp is an added asset. (These two know how to kiss.) McClean and Wiley are a pleasure to watch and easily fit into their lead roles.
Though the music and characters are major pieces contributing to the draw of The Sound of Music, the setting can also create much of the intrigue. Scenic design (Douglas W. Schmidt) includes Nonnberg Abbey, the von Trap Villa, and of course, Austrian mountains. It takes great talent to transform a dull stage into the mountains of Austria, but Schmidt has done it well. The mountains can be viewed at different times of day. Whether outside the Abbey or in back of the Villa, the lively hills bring the magic of The Sound of Music, and of Austria, to life.
Also of note is the time in which this story takes place. The swastikas present on stage are certainly alarming. At one point when the von Trapps perform, five crimson flags fall from the ceiling and encompass the entire background of the family, holding large swastikas in the center of each. As the von Trapps begin their escape the flags fall and are dragged off the stage across the floor. Though overall this show is charming and lovely, this morbid aspect was certainly present, thereby reminding the audience what happened when ignorance, hatred and fear were dictators.
Costume design (Jane Greenwood) adds another level of distinction to our show. Throughout this rendition of The Sound of Music, there is a perfect combination of originality and loyalty to the film, and the costumes are no exception. The children, for example, wear similar outfits to the movie upon meeting Maria for the first time. However, as the show goes on the colors and design of each character’s clothing is new but fitting. From the ‘drapes’ in which the children run around to Maria’s wedding dress, outfits are beautiful and bring even more color and beauty to the forefront of our Austrian setting.
The story of The Sound of Music is a gem, and this rendition brings it to life in a new way that somehow enhances its perfection.