Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
MUST SEE
The Sound of Music – a timeless classic, where every note and every moment is filled with passion and artistry, with its themes of love, music, compassion, listening to your heart and embracing family life when the calling is there, make this story so unique and special. In transforming someone’s life into joy and excitement by bringing love and singing into it, by staying truthful to our own principles and pursuing the life one truly desires.
Set in Salzburg, Austria, it is a story of Maria von Trapp’s experience as governess to seven children, her eventual falling in love with their father Captain Georg von Trapp and their escape from Austria during the Third Reich, crossing the Swiss alps on foot into Switzerland and getting to safety and freedom. Maria von Trapp destiny was never to be a nun.
The well-known Oscar-winning film version released by 20th Century-Fox in 1965 with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer was a major success and had become popular throughout the world.
Through memorable melodies — the playful lyrics of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and ‘My Favorite Things’, the exciting ‘Sixteen Going on Seventeen’, the elegance of ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Edelweiss’, the music is adapted by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Directed by a recently received Lifetime Achievement Tony Award, Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Danny Mefford, this historic stage production is a must see.
This true story based on Memoirs by Maria von Trapp captivates audiences through the love story and its strong messages. In ‘Climb Every Mountain,’ Mother Abbess so wonderfully portrayed by Christiane Noll, sings with her strong soprano – how important it is to face every challenge and overcome every stone on your path. And Maria, delightfully played by Cayleigh Capaldi, splendidly expresses herself in ‘Something Good,’ a song of faith, truth, love, family and hope. Captain Georg von Trapp with masculine grace is portrayed by Kevin Earley and Uncle Max, a funny fellow that everyone loves, is charmingly and with masterful vocal dynamics portrayed by Nicholas Rodriguez. Elsa Schraeder, a joyful spirit of a wealthy baroness, is wondrously played by Kate Loprest. All the kids; Liesl (Ariana Ferch), Friedrich (Torben Mularski), Louisa (Skylar Matthews), Kurt (Reece Boyle), Brigitta (Haddie Mac), Marta (Berkeley Waluk) and Gretl (Everly Beeson) are a delight with their impressive vocals.
Scenic design by Douglas W. Schmidt spectacularly shows what can be done with stage creations. With every change of scene, WOWs’ were heard. It was truly impressive. The space swiftly alternating with scenes of an abbey/mother superior’s office, a terrace, a concert hall, a bedroom, and a villa/estate’s Grand Entrance with the memorable mountains behind. In the wedding scene, the depth of space in the church emphasized three-dimensionally with light streaming through the windows was stunning!
Costume designs by Jane Greenwood, Lighting Design by Natasha Katz, and Sound Design by Kai Harada all made the show even more memorable.
The enduring legacy of The Sound of Music, its memorable music and picturesque storytelling, is such a delight to revisit. The beautiful universal message, ‘When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window,’ is always good to hear.
The Show runs through May 24, 2026 at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028. For tickets call (323) 468-1770 or go to www.BrodwayInHollywood.com