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Regional Reviews: Philadelphia The Sound of Music
If performed exactly as written, the show can be so schmaltzy, it'll make your teeth hurt; however, Steel River's version gives it a unique energy that sets it apart from the rest. Of course, The Sound of Music is always stirring and emotional, but these performers have effortlessly added in some comic touches, too, creating the perfect blend of what this show should be about. Those who come to the musical expecting a replica of the classic film will be mistaken. The song order is different, but the same general plot remains (although still not exactly the same). Set in 1937 Austria as Hitler's regime is about to take over, The Sound of Music is the story of postulant Maria (Abigail Allwein), who is sent by the Abbey's Mother Abbess (Sharon Eyster) out into the real world to see if the religious life is really what she wants. Maria goes to live as a governess to Captain von Trapp's (Andrew Skitko) seven children, bringing immediate joy and music into their home. The Captain is set to marry Baroness von Schraeder (Megan Eckley) and runs his house with strict discipline; it is not until Maria sets him straight about how the children just want love that he begins to come around. After a few setbacks, he and Maria fall in love and marry; when they return from their honeymoon, they discover that the Nazis want to give him a Navy post. With the help of Max Detweiler (the excellent Ben Fried) and the sisters of the Abbey, the family tricks the Nazis and escapes over the mountains into Switzerland. Allwein is utterly charming and totally believable as Maria, with a gorgeous voice to boot. There are many layers to this character, and Allwein slowly peels them away, allowing the audience to take her life journey with her. Skitko's heavy music background is on full display here as Captain von Trapp, particularly in his stunning rendition of "Edelweiss." When Allwein and Skitko sing to each other ("Something Good"), it's like they are the only two people in the room. One of the hallmarks of The Sound of Music is group singing, most notably by the children (Olivia Reitz, Carly Marie Silberman, Charleston O'Donnell, Isabella Yackanicz, Jordan McAndrew, Wyeth Casperite, Jocelyn Shank, Trent Soto, and Katie Stahl) themselves and the sisters of the Abbey (Kathryn Tilley, Emilie Reimer, Amanda Morell, Susan Lowry, Gene Silberman, Lindsay Lohr, and Olivia Swenson). The children particularly are super strong together and work cohesively with Allwein on the popular "Do-Re-Mi" and "The Lonely Goatherd." An example of the comic touches this production features, in their version of "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," Katie Stahl (Liesl) and Michael Styer (Rolf) take what can sometimes be an endless scene and make it humorous (while still keeping the essence of the song). Their facial expressions and body language are spot on. So now we come to what I always judge a production of The Sound of Music by. To me, there is no character more important to this musical than the Mother Abbess: "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" ends both acts for goodness sake. Sharon Eyster was born to play this role, as her voice during one of the most gorgeous Broadway songs that exists absolutely soars. There aren't a lot of other musicals out there that lift you up like The Sound of Music. Don't miss Steel River Playhouse's production—it will be one of your "favorite things" this December. The Sound of Music runs through December 14, 2014, at the Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown. Tickets are $17-$27 and are available online at www.steelriver.org or call 610-970-1199. The cast includes Abigail Allwein, Lilea Burt, Payson Burt, Wyeth Casperite, Charles Delaney, Megan Eckley, Sharon Eyster, Ben Fried, Tina Kissinger, Lindsay Lohr, Susan Lowry, Jim McAndrew, Jordan McAndrew, Amanda Morell, Charleston O'Donnell, Emilie Reimer, Olivia Reitz, Philip Seader, Jocelyn Shank, Carly Marie Silberman, Gena Silberman, Andrew Skitko, Trent Soto, Katie Stahl, Michael Styer, Olivia Swenson, Kathryn Tilley, Kristin Weigand, and Isabella Yackanicz.
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