The Sound of Music at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre

I had never been to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre before so I was really excited to see The Sound of Music last night (even though it was my third production of this musical this year). I ended up enjoying the show, and the venue, immensely! The story about an aspiring nun named Maria (Anya Wilson) who is sent to care for the children of Captain von Trapp (James Duncan) is one that I can see over and over again but I loved the addition of so many fun details in this particular version. Maria comes to the stage from the middle aisle during "The Sound of Music" (which is absolutely perfect because the audience is sitting on a hill). Sister Berthe (Tricia Christensen) and Sister Margaretta (Hannah Thomas) physically argue with each other during "Maria." Maria and the Mother Abbess (Sarah Neipp) are very playful in "My Favorite Things." The von Trapp children, Liesl (Savannah Carrasco), Friedrich (Cole Hixson), Louisa (Addie Armstrong), Kurt (Koen Greene), Brigitta (Hannah White), Marta (Gemma Sanders), and Gretl (Naomi Sharette), have a great rapport with Maria in "Do-Re-Mi" and "The Lonely Goatherd," especially when they imitate Maria's gestures. The choreography between Liesl and Rolf (Charles Price) is a lot of fun in "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" and involves interactions with a bench, a gazebo, and a fountain. Maria and Captain von Trapp have great chemistry while dancing at the party and during "Something Good" which is important because I sometimes think the romance between the two of them is rushed in the stage version. A word is changed in the reprise of "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" which makes the song so much more palatable for a contemporary audience (at least in my opinion because that song has always really bothered me).  Having Nazi guards patrolling the aisles during the festival and then searching the audience with flashlights when the von Trapps do not appear at the end of the concert is incredibly effective at portraying the terror felt by the family (this was also done during a production I saw at Tuacahn and several people in the audience screamed). The von Trapps start their journey to Switzerland by climbing up the hill through the middle aisle and it is so dramatic! Wilson, Neipp, and Emily Duncan (as Baroness Schraeder) have beautiful voices, the young actors playing the von Trapp children are very charismatic (especially White who really plays up Brigitta's sass), and Daniel Bradley (as Max Detweiller) oozes charm! The set is absolutely beautiful, and quite elaborate, with moving panels showing the mountains through arched windows at Nonnberg Abbey and a view of Salzburg (which is very realistic because I compared it to a photo I took on a trip there when I got home) at the von Trapp Villa. Large set pieces for the von Trapp Villa could be turned to show the interior for scenes inside (I loved the fire in the fireplace but I wish that the staircase had been more prominent) and the exterior for scenes on the terrace. The costumes are wonderful, especially the uniforms and the play clothes (made out of curtains!) for the children and Maria's wedding dress, but I felt that the costumes for the Baroness are a bit too contemporary. As I mentioned, this was my first visit to the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre (I've seen The Drowsy Chaperone and Catch Me If You Can at the indoor theatre) and I loved this venue! There are reserved seats and separate sections on the grass for people who bring their own chairs and for those who bring blankets. There are bathrooms and concessions available but you can bring your own snacks, as well. Every usher that I came in contact with was incredibly friendly and helpful (which is not always the case). I highly recommend both this show and this venue (I will be back next summer). The Sound of Music runs through August 13 (go here for tickets).

Note: I have enjoyed all three productions of this musical (including those at the Empress and the Utah Shakespeare Festival) for different reasons. I don't think I could pick a favorite!