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| Maria (Jillian Bader) sets off for her job as a governess for the von Trapp children (Photo by David Allen) |
Foothill Music Theatre is staging the timeless and
timely “The Sound of Music” and doing a fine job.
Based on the von Trapp family singers, who made
their way to the United States from Austria in 1938, the book by Howard Lindsay
and Russel Crouse tells a story of love, the pursuit of one’s dreams and the
refusal to compromise one’s principles.
To most people, however, it’s a captivating show
filled with memorable characters and even more memorable music, thanks to composer
Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II.
It’s hard to resist humming along to the title song
and classics like “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” and
“Edelweiss.”
The central character is Maria Rainer (Jillian
Bader), a would-be nun who loves to sing. Despite her eagerness for the
religious life, the Mother Abbess (Rachel Michelberg) sends Maria to the home
of retired navy Captain Georg von Trapp (Scott Solomon), a widower whose seven
children need a governess.
She finds a household with lots of military
precision and little fun. She soon changes all that, mainly through music and
the belief that children should be children, not martinets.
Before long, she also softens Georg’s heart and
helps him to see how much the children need a loving father. They’re eventually
married, much to the children’s delight.
Their happiness is short-lived because fascist
Germany is a growing threat. When local Nazis ask Georg to take command of a
German ship, he has little choice even though he despises fascism.
However, a singing contest managed by his friend Max
Detweiler (Aaron Hurley) offers a chance for the family to escape across the
Alps to Switzerland.
The show is ably directed by Milissa Carey, who does
especially well with the youngsters, who are double cast except for Madison Colgate
as 16-year-old Liesl, the oldest. Choreography is by Brett and C.J.
Blankenship.
Music director William Liberatore leads the
excellent orchestra and some outstanding choral singing by the nuns and the von
Trapp children.
As Maria, Bader combines charm and a likable stage
presence with fine singing.
Acting is good throughout the cast, especially the
other principals, including Elizabeth
Claire Lawrence as Elsa Schraeder, Georg’s
former fiancée.
Production values are high with a set by Kuo-Hao Lo,
lighting by Michael Ramsaur, sound by Andrew Heller and costumes by Mae Matos
and Lisa Rozman.
Extra kudos go to the entire cast for maintaining
composure at the first Sunday matinee, when the audience was filled with
children, some very young. Hence there were distractions like crying, leaving
for the bathroom, talking and fidgeting.
Although seeing a great show like this could benefit
children, parents should make sure they know how to behave.
Running about two hours and 45 minutes with one
intermission, “The Sound of
Music” will continue through Aug. 5 in Foothill
College’s Smithwick Theatre, Interstate 280 and El Monte Road Los Altos Hills.
For tickets and information, including parking
restrictions, call (650) 949-7360 or visit www.foothill.edu/theatre.
