Ogunquit’s ‘Sound Of Music’ Brings Joy (and a Cautionary Tale) to Portsmouth

December 3, 2023December 3, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Emilie Kouatchou and the cast of *‘The Sound Of Music’* at the Portsmouth Music Hall.
Photos by Gary Ng.

‘The Sound Of Music’ – Music By Richard Rodgers; Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein; Book By Howard Lindsay And Russel Crouse; Suggested By “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp; Directed & Choreographed by Anthony C. Daniel. Presented by Ogunquit Playhouse at the The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, NH, through December 17

by Mike Hoban

Ogunquit Playhouse closes out its 2023 season with one of musical theater’s most iconic musicals, The Sound of Music, presented in downtown Portsmouth’s historic Music Hall. The stage musical, which opened on Broadway in 1959, won five Tony Awards and was adapted into the much beloved Academy-Award-winning film in 1964, but underneath its heartwarming story of how love and music can heal a soul, its dark undercurrent resonates even more loudly in today’s increasingly grim political climate.

At North Shore Music Theatre, ‘The Sound of Music’ Makes the World Go Round

July 17, 2023 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Cast of ‘The Sound of Music at NSMT’. Photos by David Costa Photography

‘The Sound of Music’ – Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Directed by Kevin P. Hill. Music Direction by Milton Granger. Choreography by Briana Fallon. Scenic Design by Kyle Dixon. Costume Design by Kelly Baker. Lighting Design by Jose Santiago. Sound Design by Alex Berg. Wig & Hair Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. At North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA through July 23, 2023.

By Linda Chin

Let’s start at the very beginning. When crystal chandeliers in a circular formation descend from up high, Maestro Granger lifts his baton, the orchestra and nuns of Nonnberg Abbey open Act 1 with the hauntingly beautiful “Praeludium,” and the theatre comes alive with glorious sounds of music, all seems right with the world. But those familiar with The Sound of Music or European history (or who like me, learn about people and cultures from theater as well as textbooks) know that in 1938, in Nazi-occupied Austria at the cusp of World War 2, all is not harmonious.

“THE SOUND OF MUSIC” Soars at Reagle

July 15, 2019July 23, 2019 michaelhobanLeave a comment

Aimee Doherty and Cast in Reagle Music Theater’s “Sound of Music”

Reviewed by Tony Annicone

Welcome to the true story of the Von Trapp family as well as to the Mountains of Austria. This year is the 60th Anniversary of “The Sound of Music” and is also the second summer show of Reagle Music Theatre’s 51st season. “The Sound Of Music” is the last collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and is based on Maria Von Trapp’s autobiography, ”The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.” This musical takes place in Austria in 1938 and is about Maria Rainer, a postulant who is hired by Captain Georg Von Trapp to care for his seven children. Although the Captain is engaged to another woman, he and Maria eventually fall in love and marry but their happiness is soon shattered when the Nazis annex Austria. The Captain opposes the Nazis so he and his family are forced to escape to America. The original show opened on Broadway on November 16, 1959, starred Mary Martin and ran for 1443 performances becoming the second longest running show of the 1950’s. The highly successful movie starring Julie Andrews opened in 1965 and ran yearly on television. Daniel Forest Sullivan directs and choreographs this classic musical wonderfully. This heartwarming true to life 60 year old musical once again captures the hearts of every member of the audience and wins the astounding actress playing Maria a standing ovation at the curtain call.

Boch Center’s Sound of Music Charms Audiences – While Providing a Cautionary Tale

May 7, 2018May 12, 2018 michaelhobanLeave a comment

The Sound of Music – Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Book by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse; Suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp. Staged by Networks Presentations at the Boch Center, Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, MA, through May 13.

One of the most beloved movie musicals is making its return to the stage at the Boch Center, with a marvelous production that warms the heart while chilling the bone. The Sound of Music, best known for its litany of iconic songs – “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song – is a masterclass in songwriting for the theater by the team of Rodgers & Hammerstein. But it is the dark undercurrent of the rise of the Nazis that lifts this classic from inspiring love story into something much weightier, and it is particularly resonant given the current political climate.