Yesterday was our annual play at Stratford - a gift from mom. Every year in the spring she asks Paul and I what we'd like to see and on our birthday's we receive the ticket that she has purchased for us. Paul wanted to see the Sound of Music so off we went. I was curious to see how it would be handled - everyone has seen the movie and in many cases the play as well - what could be done? Trying to replicate such a well-known and celebrated story on the Stratford Festival stage seemed a daunting task.
Well, for one was the lead . . . Stephanie Rothenberg, is making her Stratford debut. She shines as Maria and brings an emotional depth to the character that is reminiscent of Julie Andrews' portrayal in the film that is also unique in a special way. Vocally, she is world class and I doubt you'd be able to find a more heartwarming and satisfying rendition of the title song anywhere. She has a star quality that is indescribable, and her Maria is incredibly energetic (she manages to outshine the adorable children) and likable.
Then there was Anita Krause as the Mother Abbess. She has a fun personality which translates well on stage during "Favourite Things" - which unlike the film is a duet between the Mother Abbess and Maria in the stage show. Her "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" and its reprise as the end of the show will leave tears in your eyes - yes, even with an old curmudgeon like me! As expected, her singing is phenomenal. In fact, the numbers performed by Krause and the sisters are all a treat to the ears.
I was curious to see how the children would be played - often the directors selects them because they have the look but they are unable to sing or dance well. The children, played by Sean Dolan, Effie Honeywell, Alec Dahmer, Graci Leahy, Sarah DaSilva and Zoe Brown -- are all wonderfully talented and each brings something unique to the performance. Leahy is hilarious as the unabashedly honest Brigitta von Trapp and Brown, who plays the youngest von Trapp, Gretl, will melt the heart of the most hard-shelled theatre-goer. . . . yes, even me.
One thing which surprised me were the two songs ably performed by the Baroness, Captain von Trapp's amour (Robin Evan Willis) with Max (Shane Carty), the music agent trying to get the kids onstage, have real political sinew. These numbers were cut from the movie. Given the state of our world politics today they crackled with meaning.
The only fault with this production is Director Donna Feore's odd choice to use some dancing cowboys (likely left over from her staging of Crazy for You last year or previous stagings of Oklahoma) to move sets around the stage. However, once off stage the cowboys are quickly forgotten as you get swept back into the story.
Feore has crafted a brilliant production - and her staging of The Sound of Music is probably one of the best you'll ever see and is superior to any other first class production which has played Toronto recently.
The show us now on stage at the festival through October 18, 2015.
Tickets are available online at StratfordFestival.ca.
My life will be complete when you and I can reenact our version of our Favorite things!
Posted by: sandi | September 17, 2015 at 06:59 PM