by Swapna Mirashi
“The hills are alive with the sound of music” and so is The Carnegie. The historic theater itself reopens, with this musical, after nearly two years and restoration. “Sound of Music,” is set against the backdrop of Anschluss, is a story of love and conviction, with music as an integral part of both. The classic songs “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Sixteen, Going on Seventeen,” “Edelweiss,” and more are beautifully rendered LIVE on stage by the 18 member cast through the 2 hours 45 minutes of the performance in two Acts. The performances run on weekends (Fridays 7;30 pm, Saturdays 2 pm and 7:30 pm and Sundays 3 pm) till February 13 at The Carnegie.
Maria (Abigail Tucker), a postulant in an abbey but more popular there as a ‘problem’, is sent as a temporary governess to the seven Von Trapp children (promising young performers all). There, she brings love and joy through music and nature to the otherwise regimented life of the kids under their disciplinarian father, the widowed Captain Georg von Trapp (Evan Koons). Eventually the Captain and Maria fall in love and marry. The story, based on Maria von Trapp’s memoir, is set in Austria before World War II and as Nazis take over Austria, all is not good outside their home for this happy family. Well, not yet.
Brilliantly directed and choreographed by Leslie Goddard Baum, The Carnegie production shines due to the outstanding teamwork by one and all, even the youngest of the 7 von Trapp children. The Austrian folk dance (Ländler) by the lead pair and the one by younger couple, Liesl (Alyssa Hart) and Rolf (Andrew Burke) were outstanding in execution. “Climb Every Mountain” by Helen Anneliesa Raymond-Goer (as the firm yet loving mentor Mother Abbess) is heavenly. Steve Goers’ music direction with Sound by Eric Bardes and the impeccable acoustics of the theater elevate the audience experience. Tyler Gabbard’s minimalist scene design is aesthetic and smart. His backdrop is the spectacular ‘Der Watzmann’, a19th century German romanticism masterpiece by Caspar David Friedrich. Literally and figuratively the mountain takes center stage, as it does in the story and in Maria’s life.
You cannot go wrong with this one. Take the whole family or gather some friends and head over to The Carnegie. If you are not a particular football fan, then enjoy today’s (Sunday January 30) 3 pm show with your tribe. I’m told, lots of great seats are available for this show for obvious reasons 😉
“The Sound of Music” is a charming production that’s sure to delight everyone in the family. Saturday’s opening performance received a thunderous applause and standing ovation.
Music by Richard Rodgers,
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
Playing January 29 – February 13, 2022, @ The Carnegie theater
t: 859.957.1940
Swapna Mirashi is a published writer of over 20 years. She has been actively involved in theater (expat Marathi language and children’s) as an actor and director since 2014.
