Chimes of the church steeple, the harsh, staccato bursts of a stern ship captain’s whistle and a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall – each echos throughout the lonely halls of the Von Trapp estate, but it’s not until the free-spirited governess Maria brings the healing and blissful power of music to the Von Trapps that the house finally becomes a home.
St. Margaret’s classically enchanting production of “The Sound of Music” follows Maria on her journey to find her place in the world, all while changing the lives of one Austrian family with a simple “Do-Re-Mi.”
Maria (Morgan Higgins) twirls with childlike joy, energetically uplifting spirits from the moment even a single note escapes her lips. During “Confidence” she marches with a steadfast determination, brashly swinging her guitar case, her furrowed brow resolving to withstand any challenge. Later flanked by an adorable gaggle of Von Trapp children, she conducts them with a lively, motherly presence, holding them tightly during a sudden thunderstorm.
Among the children are Friedrich (Maxwell Morin), whose noteworthy vocals are easily equated with an angel, and Liesl (Sarah Engel), who navigates awkward adolescence with gentle guidance from Maria, and playfully flirts with Rolf (Liam McGregor) during “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.” Meanwhile, the relationship between Maria and Captain Von Trapp (Brent Cahill) evolves delicately, peaking with Captain Von Trapp’s rich, melancholy vocals in “Edelweiss,” as Maria wraps her arms around him comfortingly.
The comedic duo Max (Austin Foley) and Elsa (Melisa Osborne) shine in “How Can Love Survive?” Elsa keeps her nose in the air, dignity in all her movements, as she delivers lines with a sass that beautifully complements Max’s wild physicality. Max triggers utmost hilarity when he pops his head, complete with a saucy expression, between Elsa and the Captain’s loving embrace, and even mocks the Nazis with an impudent “heil!”
At the Abbey, Mother Abbess (Tiffany Choe) commands the stage during “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” effortlessly uttering her awe-achieving solo with resounding power, inspiring a sense of self-worth into Maria’s tumultuous state. The nuns also function as a fluid and pitch-perfect ensemble, complementing the other actors with their melodious harmonies.
With a smooth stage crew headed by Savannah Riley, “The Sound of Music” at St. Margaret’s truly does make the audience’s heart sing as the Von Trapp family hits all the right notes towards happiness.
Gwen Thomas attends SOCSA Dana Hills.
