Houston is Alive with The Sound of Music
“Climb every mountain, search high and low, follow every byway, and every path you know” to go see “The Sound of Music” at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. It is impossible for me to express enough praise about the cast and crew for the magnificent job they did in bringing this production to life.
“The Sound of Music” is the story of Baron Georg von Trapp (George Dvorsky) and his seven children – Liesl (Jessica Ferguson), Friedrich (Ryne Nardecchia), Louisa (Caroline Taylor), Kurt (Ian Tonroy), Brigitta (Gabby Billespie), Marta (Aiden Snasdell), and Gretl (Mandy Miller) and how their lives are transformed by Maria (Kim Huber), a rambunctious novice nun. In the midst of getting to know Maria, their lives are also haunted by the Nazi incursion of their beloved homeland, Austria.
From the beginning, the audience is mesmerized by the superb acting, singing, and dancing. As the lights go down at the play’s opening, attention is drawn to center stage and nuns come forth chanting in front of the gloriously designed Abbey. Then a quartet of nuns appear in the left and right balconies of the theater while another group of nuns come from the audience. This prelude is almost like interactive theater in that it gives the audience a sense of being a part of the production. Eyes center, eyes right, eyes left, eyes center again! Near the end of the play when the von Trapp family gave their final performance in Austria the audience once more was part of the action. The family was being hunted by German guards who were also patrolling the grounds, which just happened to be the theater itself. The guards marched back and forth in their Nazi uniform carrying rifles, and shinning search lights on the audience. It was done very frightenly. We in the audience felt as if we were really being hunted, too. Goose bumps were all over our bodies.
It is very obvious that I am a big fan of “The Sound of Music.” This production and ensemble have made me love it even more. This adaptation follows the movie version pretty closely and, for me, that is a big plus. I love going to the theater and seeing plays with which I am familiar. I really get involved. In other words, I interact. For example, if the play is a musical like “The Sound of Music” I usually know all of the songs and sing along with the actors. Don’t worry. I am not one of those theatergoers who disturb others around me with my singing. I keep it very low.
Since I am such a fan I viewed the production with a very critical eye. After close observation I can honestly say this is one show that will make anyone and everyone associated with it proud. Huber as Maria is superb. She has the perfect mix of wanting to do right and wonderment of what life really is. Dvorsky is strong and stern so when his beautiful gentle voice is showcased, the sound is quite unexpected. All the children, who are local actors, are so loveable. One stand-out among the children was Ferguson as the eldest von Trapp. Not only does she have a rich singing voice, she is also a very graceful dancer. One dance scene made me a bit nervous because she managed an arabesque while standing on the back of a moving bicycle. Ilich Guardiola as Max Detweiler is irreplaceable in his role as the family friend. Mother Abbess (Susan Shofner) and the other sisters of the Abbey are both funny and witty in their portrayals.
Just as good as the cast was the crew behind the scenes. Bravo to the set designers. The sets were so detailed and innovative that I felt as if I were in Austria. The transition between different scenes was impeccable. Highlighting both the actors and the sets was the music. This production would be nothing without its music. Kudos also to the orchestra.
One of my favorite things is The Sound of Music. Go see this production and I am sure it will be one of yours too. Theatre Under the Stars’ The Sound of Music runs until December 20, 2009 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $24 and are available online at tuts.com, by phone at 713-558-8887, or in person at the theater box office. This holiday season be merry and go see The Sound of Music.
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