Front Row Centre reviews THE SOUND OF MUSIC

 

 

Early in the Theatre Unlimited production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC onstage now at the Meadowvale theatre, one if the set pieces – a giant portal on castors – starts to squeak noisily whenever it is moved, providing an unintentional metaphor for the production itself: one that creaks and groans a lot.

 

While it is Rodgers and Hammerstein's most popular show, it is not their finest, mainly because Hammerstein didn't write the book for this one. Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse did, and it's a pretty hackneyed affair. One of the reasons the movie version was so successful was that screenwriter Ernest Lehman rewrote the script, repositioned several songs, and created some three-dimensional characters.

 

One other reason for the film's ongoing popularity is Julie Andrews. Any actress who plays Maria now faces the near impossible task of having to live up to that perfect blend of innocence and spunk. In this case, Ruth Yateman does a fine job and displays palpable warmth in her scenes with the children.

 

Even if some of their lines would make the Brady bunch cringe, the kids are full of energy with little Bailey Fenton a scene-stealer as Gretl. 

 

The performance that generates the most excitement is Sharon Nimmo's portrayal of the Mother Abbess. Her gorgeous voice and flawless diction make "Climb Every Mountain" a thrilling, first act finale.

 

The other adult performances are more problematic.

 

While Vivian Hisey as Frau Schraeder gets in some sharp retorts, she doesn't have the class or authority of a wealthy corporation president. Similarly David O'Hearn is bland in the role of the proverbial "funny" uncle, Max.

 

Even more troubling is Collin Sawatzky as Captain Von Trapp. Here is a naval captain, mourning the loss of his beloved wife by becoming a martinet, treating his children like tiny marching machines.  The back-story should give the actor playing Georg plenty of subtext to explore. Sawatzky's uncomfortably tentative performance doesn't explore any of it, which seems to indicate a lack of collaboration between the director and performer.

 

Although director Gloria Buchert keeps the long show moving, she fails to make it as powerful and engrossing as it could be.

 

This production, like one of the set pieces, needs its castors oiled.

 

 

 

Theatre Unlimited presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC at the Meadowvale theatre until Saturday October 28.  Performances continue Thursday thru Saturday at 8, with a matinee at 2 on Saturday. Tickets are available by calling the box office at (905) 615-4720.

To post a comment, you must register and login.