Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 30, 1994 TAG: 9408200007
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN L. DAVIS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Expect to be soundly entertained with beautiful renditions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's favorites, such as ``Do-Re-Mi,'' ``My Favorite Things'' and ``Climb Every Mountain.'' But don't expect to experience the story's romance the same way you did during the movie version. The emotion just isn't there.
Part of the problem is the portrayal of the Captain von Trapp character. Roanoke dentist Ian Lowden makes quite a handsome Captain, but he seems a bit stiff and self-conscious on stage in his first Showtimers role. His Captain needs to be more commanding and more relaxed with his authority. The audience also doesn't see the spark of anger in this patriotic man, who is about to lose his beloved Austria to the Third Reich.
The story, set in 1938 Austria, centers on a free-spirited, singing nun named Maria (played by Doray M. Feeser), who is sent by the Nonnberg Abbey to be governess to the seven von Trapp children. In due time, Maria falls in love with the Captain and must choose between life as a nun or life as a wife and mother.
But Maria doesn't recognize her feelings right away, not until the Captain holds her close and looks into her eyes while they step an Austrian folk dance together. The romance in this scene is mechanical, but if you've seen the movie 10 times, you can fill in the gaps and enjoy the moment anyway. However, if the plot is new and fresh to you, the romance element may seem contrived.
On the other hand, all of the children's scenes are cute and joyous. The real show-stealers are the seven von Trapp children, played by local talents Mary Elizabeth Ayling as Liesl, Parker Wertz as Friedrich, Leigh Capps as Louisa, Tommy Beckner as Kurt, Stephanie Lebow as Brigitta, Loree Owens as Marta and Jayne Lewis as Gretl. In alternating performances, Louisa is played by Martha Radicke, Brigitta by Amanda Metzler, Marta by Sara Gates and Gretl by Rebecca Lowdon.
The children deliver some of the best acting in this production, and their voices blend well in lively numbers such as ``So Long, Farewell'' and ``The Lonely Goatherd.''
William Capps is also delightful as the enterprising Max Detweiler, who enters the von Trapp Family Singers in an Austrian folk festival.
Other cast members include Jayne Levesque Vest as Sister Berthe, Mary Jean Redon Levin as Sister Margaretta, JoEllen Famularo as Sister Sophia, Todd P. Huffman as Franz, Susan Marie Gordon as Frau Schmidt, Michael Dowdy as Rolf Gruber, Clare Fischer-Davies as Elsa Schraeder, Angela Blankenship as Ursula, George Stevens as Herr Zeller, Thomas Hanks as Baron Elberfeld and Admiral von Schreiber, Shirley Vaughn as Baroness Elberfeld and Cari Smith as a postulant.
Cast members obviously were selected for their singing ability, because there's not a bad voice in the bunch. Lyrics can be clearly heard all the way to the rear of the theater. A personal favorite is Cameron Srpan, who as the Mother Abbess sings a powerful and moving rendition of ``Climb Every Mountain.''
Musical direction and live piano accompaniment is provided by Ruth Ann Hannah. Taped organ music accompanies the wedding of Maria and Captain von Trapp.
Sets are simple rotating panels painted on both sides, but a few of the behind-curtain scene changes take too long and inhibit the musical's pace.
The two-act play directed by Jeff Walker lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes and has one 10-minute intermission.
Continues at the Showtimers Studio Theater on McVitty Road through Aug. 14. 774-2660.
by CNB