BWW Reviews: Cabrillo's SOUND OF MUSIC Is a Winner

The Sound of Music
book by Howard Lindsay & Russell Crouse
music y Richard Rodgers; lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
directed by Lewis Wilkenfeld
Cabrillo Music Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
through July 31

Perhaps the best known musical of all time - and perhaps the best - Rodgers' and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music has remained a family favorite since the 50s. Number one, the score is to die for; secondly, the book is dramatically fulfilling with a real life family being torn asunder by the ravages of fascism. Touches of real intertwined humor add to the appeal. Cabrillo Music Theatre, under the skillful eye of Lewis Wilkenfeld, is once again reviving the show, and the production is thoroughly worth your while, if for no other reason than to catch Shannon Warne's superior performance as Maria, and for some truly glorious singing.

Warne totally submerges herself in the role and not only captivates Captain von Trapp (Tom Schmid) and his seven children, but everyone who watches and listens to the music emanating from her heart. Schmid is less harsh than other Georg von Trapps, making him more of a lost soul whose unhappiness is due to the absence of a strong and loving wife and mother. Michael G. Hawkins repeats his charming performance as Max Detweiler, and Laura Cable, although seemingly a bit too young for Elsa Schraeder, does envelop her sophistication and sings beautifully. Marilyn Anderson is a gem as The Mother Abbess reducing all to tears with her gorgeous rendition of "Climb Every Mountain". Needless to say all seven actors playing the von Trapp children can act, sing and move exceedingly well with or without that infernal whistle. They are: Alison Woods as Leisl, Michael Kennedy as Friedrich, Lyrissa Leininger as Louisa, Mason Purece as Kurt, Audrey Miller as Brigitta, Natalie Esposito as Marta and Kristina Van Horst as little Gretl. Tyler Matthew Burk is handsome, but a tad stiff as Rolf, and David Gilchrist and Gloria Bennett more than fulfill their housekeeping duties as Franz the butler and Frau Schmidt respectively. Farley Cadena, Karen Sonnenschein, and Becca Cornelius provide fun and mischief as the other Sisters of the Abbey.

Most everyone by now knows the plotline of The Sound of Music. The von Trapp family and their courageous escape from Nazi occupied Austria is legend. It's a timeless story filled with hope, spiritual fervor and love, so lacking in our world today. Cabrillo Music Theatre with Lewis Wilkenfeld at the helm puts a loving, heartfelt spin on the proceedings and pulls up another winner.