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The Sound of Music
by Young Artists Ensemble THE
SHOW: The last Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration became their
biggest with the blockbuster film led by Julie Andrews. It’s inspired by the
von Trapp family that formed the Trapp Family Singers who fled Austria as Nazi
Germany took over, and the musical score is certainly among the most complete
featuring such hits as My Favorite Things,
Sixteen Going on Seventeen, Climb
Every Mountain, Edelweiss, and the
title tune. While the terror of the approaching Nazis threatens in the
background, the story centers around Maria whose love of singing sometimes gets
her in trouble with the abbey where she is a postulant, and will also get her
into a different kind of trouble when she gets assigned to be the governess of
the soon-to-be-singing seven siblings of the widowed Captain von Trapp. THE PRODUCTION: Young Artists Ensemble presents this show nestled in the
hills of Thousand Oaks at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. Director Michael
Fischer clearly pays attention to every detail of the show that includes a
number of nice creative touches. A relatively long musical for youth theatre,
the show is often done with cut songs. Those songs are thankfully included in
this one with no worry about time, the scenes and interactions never rushed, all
unfolding naturally among an impressive cast. Shannon McGraw
is our Maria, a marvelous actress who has an easy comedy and instincts with the
children, and who feels every lyric whether she’s building up her confidence
in I Have Confidence (witnessed by a
few townsfolk who look on with quizzical and sympathetic smiles), taking joy in
teaching the children to sing, or falling for the captain. Ryan Bates nails his characterization of said captain, rigid but
still human, quick to anger but controlled, and finally his heart and demeanor
thawing thanks to Maria and his children. Their argument over the children upon
his surprise return home is real and intense. Alyssa Kriss
ends the first act on a powerful note as the Mother Abbess singing Climb
Ev’ry Mountain. Gabi Ditto is
fantastic as the baroness engaged to the captain, both humorous and dramatic
when the time comes. And she makes a great comedy team with moocher Max (Alexander
Jackels) for their droll How Can Love
Survive? duet and trio of No Way to
Stop It with the captain. Sarah
Hathaway also has a humorous cameo as Frau Schmidt. The nuns do a nice job
with their chorus, and combine for a memorable discussion of how to solve a
problem like Maria including the
unimpressed Sister Berthe (Anthea Stobie)
and the sweet and supportive Sister Margaretta (Lauren
T. Alexander with a gorgeous voice). The ensemble is into it whether in the
forefront or in the background and deliver an excellent dinner party scene. And
then there is a pretty amazing collection of seven siblings. Lyrissa
Leininger is the eldest Liesl, with much of Do-Re-Mi
slowly getting the reluctant Liesl to fully participate (great choreography and
performances), and she charms in Sixteen
Going on Seventeen with Rolf (Aaron
Sallan). Jessica Wallace is a
precocious, fun, and sassy Brigitta. Max
Meyers is Friedrich desperate for his father’s approval, Marisssa Michelle Margolis sparkles as an adorable Marta, Allison
Martinez is an amusing instigator as Louisa but also poignantly sensitive to
the scolding by her father – as is Micah
Meyers as young Kurt who always speaks volumes with often subtle
expressions. While little Gretl (Lilly
Thompson) lights up the stage with her unstoppable, bright and happy
charisma. Combined, they work together like they’ve grown up together and add
great heart to The Sound of Music. Photos by Paul Cranmer Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~ Add Artist PageMother Abbess: Alyssa Kriss Sister Margaretta: Lauren T. Alexander Sister Sophia: Samantha Speer Sister Bertha: Anthea Stobie Nun: Taylor Fanto Nun: Megan Morales Nun: Elaine Panico Nun: Hannah Ramirez Maria: Shannon McGraw Captain Von Trapp: Ryan Bates Franz: Christian Frye Frau Schmidt: Sarah Hathaway Gretl: Lilly Thompson Marta: Marissa Michelle Margolis Kurt: Micah Meyers Louisa: Allison Martinez Friedrich: Max Meyers Liesl: Lyrissa Leininger Brigitta: Jessica Wallace Rolf: Aaron Sallan Elsa: Gabi Ditto Max: Alex Jackels Elberfeld: Brock Bailey Herr Zeller: Caleb Bailey Admiral Von Schreiber: Jeremy Graham Orriss Director: Michael Fischer Asst. Director/Stage Manager: Nick Noble Music Director/Conductor: Susan T. Calkins Costume Designer: Cindy Peltola Set Designer: Jeff Calnitz Lighting Designer: Ian Kelley Sound Designer: Scott Buchanan, Ian Kelley, Mark Andrew Reyes
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