'The Sound of Music' kicks off VPA season in grand fashion

Scene on Stage, by Frank Ameduri

When a local theater decides to take on a popular musical, there are always benefits and drawbacks. Valley Performing Arts must have know that when it made up its minds to tackle The Sound of Music for the start of the 28th season.

There may have been bigger, more successful musicals over the years, but this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is arguably the most familiar musical with American audiences.

VPA would not be scared off by that, and the group managed to pull off a very worthy season opener as a result of its courage.

Grant Olson, who has had many turns at the VPA stage, directs with Janet Stotts as musical director and Sharon Peek as choreographer. The threesome does a fine job bringing together a fairly large cast on a smallish stage and Olson gets good performances from several actors in this one.

Ted Carney gives his usual strong performance in the role of Captain von Trapp, and Warren Foster brings the right amounts of charm and obnoxiousness to the comedic relief role of Max.

There's no doubt, however, that Sara Hughes takes on the biggest challenge in the play.

She has the unenviable task of playing a role made famous by Julie Andrews. Hughes makes all the right decisions here, however. She didn't attempt to play Andrews playing Maria.

Instead, Hughes decided to play it her way and make it her own. Her voice is strong and consistent, and she plays Maria with a combination of strength and innocence that helps hold the play together.

Other notable performances come from Mary Olsen as the Mother Abbess, Cynthia Lee as Sister Margaretta, and Hillarie Putnam in the role of Liesl is as strong as ever. Young Holly Johanna Peterson plays a precocious Gretl. Even though she's clearly conscious of the audience at times, it's hard not to enjoy her energy and exuberance.

If the film is your only previous experience with this musical, you'll probably approach it wondering just how they'll manage the sets in such a limited space.

Hats off to Rod Mehrtens for creating sets and planning changes that establish a great tone while allowing the actors to remain the focus of attention throughout the large production.

The costuming, by Mary Putnam and Linda Olson, is also outstanding.

All in all, The Sound of Music was a brave choice for VPA's opener, and they are clearly up to the task. If the rest of the season follows suit, we're in for some great entertainment this year at Machetanz Theatre.

Frank Ameduri is the managing editor of the Frontiersman.