Review: THE SOUND OF MUSIC Soars at The Buell Theatre

We live in the Alps during the summer, in a little chalet with a magnificent view of the Dolomites. There is something majestic about those snow-capped peaks. From our hotel in Denver, we can see a similar view of the Rockies. When I saw that SOUND OF MUSIC was playing at the Buell I just had to see the performance, which is part of the national tour. Oh, it was stunning! No one could ask for a better production!

This show is different from the famous film, also from the traditional performances decades ago on Broadway and London's West End. This show has been enhanced with excellent improvements on the already mind-blowing original. Remember how fun they made Mary Poppins when they did the hand gestures to the Supercali scene? This performance adds gestures to Do Re Mi; it also adds a new choreography to So Long, Farewell and Lonely Goatherd. It is fresh and exciting to watch, especially in the gorgeous Buell Theatre, where the walls are constructed with grand, quarried stone.

This is a brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award® winner Jack O'Brien. His magic touch is everywhere in the show; such as turning darling Greta (Audrey Bennett) into a baby goat. Ben Davis plays Captain Von Trapp; he is younger and more handsome than the traditional versions of Georg; I love this, because it looks less like robbing the cradle as seen in some shows. Davis' voice is hauntingly beautiful; the rich baritone has starred as Javert in LES MISERABLES. Gorgeous Georg is so dashing it reminds me of Cinderella and Prince Charming.

Kerston Anderson is a marvelous Maria. Again, she is very young and very attractive. When the show begins, she is outside on a bridge with water rushing beneath her. I have no idea how they created that illusion, but it was spectacular. She is perfectly sweet and innocent; exactly the sort of character we would believe is a postulate. She comes across as wholesome as organic goat's milk and is as cute as a button. Together with Davis, this couple set the theatre on fire with excitement and class.

Those kids are adorable, every one of them. Some how, Paige Silvester was able to pull of being the 16 year old Liesl. She actually is a college graduate from the University of Michigan. That tiny little waist and delicate features allows her to portray a very young teen. Throughout the show I keep debating whether she was an adult portraying a child, or was, indeed a child actor.

Melody Betts brought the house down when she sang as The Mother Abbess. When she sang to God, it was as if the Heavens opened to hear her voice. Her performance sent chills down my spine.

You will love the staging for this show. The bedroom scene during the thunderstorm was delightfully Alpine. They captured the essence of the region perfectly. I almost felt like I was at home in the Alps.

This show rates a perfect 10. You just can't get any better performance; you will not be disappointed. For further information, kindly visit http://thesoundofmusicontour.com/#about.

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