The Arts Club Theatre Company brings Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music to the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage throughout this Holiday season. Opening nearly 60 years to the day of the original Broadway production (opened November 16, 1959), this production of the timeless classic runs until January 5, 2020.
For those who only know the 1965 Julie Andrews musical version of The Sound of Musical won’t be disappointed, all the beloved songs (albeit in different order) are brought to life by the brilliant Arts Club company.
As the nuns welcome the audience with the heavenly preludium, Drew Facey’s beautiful set designs bring us into the tranquility of the Abbey, before the action and Maria move to the Von Trapp mansion.
photo: Emily Cooper
Synthia Yusuf brings youthful innocence but a powerful voice to Maria, as we follow her from young postulant sent from the Abbey to become Governess and future wife of Captain Georg Von Trapp, played by the charismatic, and stellar singer, Jonathan Winsby. The seven precocious Von Trapp children are all excellent, with Jolene Bernardino, leading the children as eldest daughter, Liesl. Being 16 going on 17, Bernardino manages to balance being on the cusp of maturity, and young love, playing nicely against Jason Sakaki as Rolf. Supporting characters, Max Detwiller (Andrew Cownden) lends comic relief, while Meghan Gardiner as Elsa Schraeder (as well as Sister Sophia) adds glamour and a bump in the road to Maria and Georg’s love match. Another standout performance came from Annie Ramos, making her Arts Club debut as The Mother Abbess lifted the roof off the abbey with her powerhouse vocals.
photo: Emily Cooper
With a show as popular and well known as The Sound Of Music expectations are high, and this production lives up to every memory, while creating new special moments with this cast. The musical is everything you want it to be, sweet, fun and romantic. While it does feel odd to be applauding performances in front of a Nazi Flag, the historical context keeps it grounded, and timeless messages of love and hope all resonate today. Everyone in whole family will find something to love about this musical, making it a perfect night out during this Holiday season.
The Arts Club Theatre Company’s The Sound of Music plays until January 5, 2020 at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street. Showtimes and tickets available online at artsclub.com