I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Theatre 29’s production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music.” Directed by Lisa Hodgson and Bianca Stoker, the widely beloved musical is based on the inspirational story of Maria Augusta Trapp, a carefree young postulate in 1930s Austria. When she is sent to become the governess to the seven children of a strict, retired naval Captain, Maria sets out to infuse their home with joy, love, and song: elements they must rely on in the face of an expanding Third Reich.
“The Sound of Music” is a musical full of memorable tunes, the spirit of which the cast expressed well. The show began by pulling on the heartstrings with Analisa Pilecki’s stirring rendition of the title track; several fan favorites, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “The Lonely Goatherd” were performed with multiple reprisals. A sweet dance between Catt Christine’s Liesl and Mark Cockroft’s Rolf Gruber was reminiscent of young, if ill-fated love. Nancy Abramson was striking as Mother Abbess, hitting every high note of the moving “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” with clarity.
A diverse range of sets were all impressively built, capturing the grandness of the von Trapp Manor. Beautifully painted cathedrals with vibrant stained glass evoke the holiness of Nonnberg Abbey, while windows look out over green hills to illustrate the rolling landscape of Salzburg. All characters were adorned in timely, European clothing fitting for an array of occasions, from school uniforms to cocktail party garb to play clothes that Maria cunningly crafts from drapes.
Throughout the performance, I found it difficult to imagine a more quintessential Maria than that which was portrayed by Pilecki. She captured the heroine’s warmth, verve, and charm, wooing the von Trapps along with the audience. Graham Cooley perfected Captain Georg Von Trapp’s evolution from cool and conducted to emotive; his final, poignant performance of “Edelweiss” struck as particularly moving. Gabriel Figuredo had comedic charisma as Max Detweiler and complimented the sophisticated Frau Elsa Schraeder, played by Cindy Ross. The production was tied together with seven young actors who were endearing as the von Trapp children, believable as a family bonded by love and song.
Performances of “The Sound of Music” run on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the show continues its run at Theatre 29 through December 22. Tickets can be purchased online at theatre29.org or by calling the Theatre 29 Box Office at 760-361-4151.
