by Terrance Mc Arthur
“The stage is alive with The Sound of Music.”
That’s right! The songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein return to Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater in a Good Company Players production of The Sound of Music through September 15. All those favorite songs—“Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going On Seventeen,” “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things,” and more—are back again, and they sound glorious!
Cast of GCP’s production of “The Sound of Music”
Bask again in the based-on-a-true-story of Maria (Haleigh Cook), the nun-to-be who didn’t fit in with the solemn style of the abbey. She is sent off by the Mother Abbess (Tracy Jones) to act as governess for the seven children of the cold and distant Captain Von Trapp (Terry Lewis). After unlocking the musical talents of the children, she falls in love with the captain, and he with her. The oldest daughter, Liesl (Kailyn Saunders/Evie Van Vleet) is head over heels for Rolf (Jonah Ewalt/Isaias Aguilera), the telegram delivery boy. When the Nazis take over Austria in 1938, the captain is ordered to join the German navy. Will the now-singing family escape the country to find freedom? You’ve probably seen the 1965 Oscar-winning Julie Andrews movie, so what do you think?
Cook is bubbly and wide-eyed as Maria, a far cry from the brassy, wisecracking Cynthia Weil she played in GCP’s Beautiful. Her voice soars in the title song and makes the hills come alive. The folk-inspired Lendler dance with Captain Von Trapp, revealing the beginnings of their attraction, is mesmerizing, making the stage full of other dancers seem to blur into the background.
Captain Von Trapp (Terry Lewis) and Maria (Haleigh Cook)
Lewis as Captain Von Trapp starts as an off-putting martinet, forcing military discipline onto his children, until Maria’s kind presence changes him. It’s a challenging role, and he nails it! His heartfelt singing on “Edelweiss” brought tears to my eyes—and that wasn’t the only time he got me misty.
The major children’s/teen roles—and a few adults—are double-cast, alternating on the stage in performances. Saunders brings a spunkiness to Liesl, while Van Vleet gives the part a more ethereal air. Daniella Sarkisian makes the all-observing Brigitta an island of calmness; Campbell Sloas shows impishness in that part of one who knows secrets. Ruthie Vasquez is adorable as the youngest child, Gretl, and Mikaela York is tiny and precious when she performs the role. Ewalt is blond and earnest as Liesl’s boyfriend, while Aguilera brings a dark, brooding quality to Rolf. On the adult side of the double-casting, Gordon Moore as Max, the captain’s impresario friend, is dour and sardonic, with an Oscar Levant quality; he may not see the glass as half-empty, but he knows it will have to be washed. Shawn Williams has a Hollywood air about him as Max, more of the wheeler-dealer, a slippery character who manages to wriggle his way out of every tight spot.
Cast of GCP’s production of “The Sound of Music”
Amalie Larsen commands the stage as Elsa, the female industrialist who plans to marry the captain. Her singing is stellar, as are her timing and comedy chops. She hides the power of Joan Crawford under her blonde coiffure. You’ll dread the thought of her parenting the Van Trapp children. (Thankfully, she’s a much nicer person in real life.) Jones is a wise and wonderful Mother Abbess, with a twinkle in her eye and a huge heart. Her singing is a highlight.
Cast of GCP’s production of “The Sound of Music”
Daniel Sutherland is towering, imposing, and dangerous as Herr Zeller, the officious official who becomes a nasty Nazi. John Sloas is Franz, the captain’s efficient servant (who has hidden leanings), while Ellie Campbell is Frau Schmidt, a supportive staff member. One more cast note—Chanel Walton has a bubbly moment in the show as Fraulein Schweiger that should not be missed.
Emily Pessano directed the large cast (and doubly so for some roles), and wound up with a crowd-pleasing whole. Steve Souza choreographed charming interludes, and Ginger Kay Lewis-Reed filled the stage with lovely costumes (even the ones that were supposed to look dowdy).
Originally produced on Broadway in 1959, nine months before the death of lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, The Sound of Music is still a landmark of American musical theatre. See this production. You’ll be glad you did.
Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater is at 1226 N. Wishon Ave. at Olive Ave. For tickets and further information, go to gcplayers.com, or call (559) 266-9494.
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Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.
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