By Mark Nobles/Special to the Times-Review
The problem with mounting a stage production of a classic musical of stage and screen is everyone already knows the story by heart and has the music permanently tattooed on their brain as it sounded in the iconic production.
If you are going to pull off a successful production, you had better be spot on with your talent and offer something fresh in your production.
The Plaza Theatre bravely decided to mount a production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic “The Sound of Music,” and they have again managed to somehow cull the best vocal and acting talent the area has to offer and stage a sparse, crisp production that allows the talent to shine.
Directors JaceSon and Tina Barrus use only the bare necessities in props and set design, allowing their actors space and freedom to fill the room with their vocals and presence. The effect created for the audience is that you’re not so much watching the action as you are part of the action on stage.
Discussion of the cast performances has to begin with Meredith Browning’s portrayal of the young, wayward postulant Maria.
Browning’s classically trained voice is a powerful instrument. She infuses the character with charm, innocence and grace and has such vocal control that she refrains from blowing out the room and instead fills it with warmth. Browning’s duet with Tabitha Barrus, who plays Liesl, in the second act, is beautiful and hypnotic.
Jay Lewis takes complete ownership of Captain von Trapp. Lewis is a Plaza veteran most recently seen as the Rev. Moore in “Footloose.” He plays von Trapp with just the right touch of sternness and tenderness. The role calls for a wide range of emotion and Lewis is more than up to the task. His rendition of “Edelweiss” in the second act is heart-breakingly beautiful.
Milette Siler plays the Baroness Elsa Schräder with a little more heart than usual. Silar’s Baroness is more practical than calculating, and the extra heart adds to the drama and conflict all the characters feel about the inevitable overthrow of Austria by the Nazis.
Aron Lett plays the rakish, ne’er-do-well Max with childlike glee. Lett snakes in and out of the story adding just the right touch of comic relief.
Cheri Dee Mega aptly steps into the role of the wise mother abbess. Her two renditions of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” are beautiful and powerful. You will wish to listen to them over and over again, but because recording is not allowed, you’ll have see the show several times to get your fill.
As mentioned Tabitha Barrus plays the oldest of the Von Trapp children Liesl. Her duet with Stephen Singleton, who portrays Rolf is wonderfully choreographed and well executed.
A highlight of the show is the well known “My Favorite Things,” featuring Maria and all the von Trapp children: Lauren Atwell as Marta, Eloise Fletcher as Gretl, Parker Barrus as Fredrich, Melody Knight as Brigetta, Erika Pope as Louisa and Cooper Rogers as Kurt. The song is a rollicking romp in Maria’s bedroom with several of the smaller children bouncing and frolicking on the bed.
It’s great fun for the children and the audience, although some of the parents in the crowd may want to rush on stage, arms outstretched, to make sure none of the little tykes tumbles off the bed.
The Plaza has staged a strong, fresh production of this well known musical that deserves to be widely seen, no matter how familiar you may be with the story or how many times you’ve seen the movie. The vocal performances are extraordinary, top to bottom, and the pacing is brisk and energetic.
“The Sound of Music” plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, with two performances Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. through Nov. 22.
For information, call 817-202-0600 or visit www.plaza-theatre.com.
