The Fourth Walsh

Broadway in Chicago presents THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

Maria is torn between the freedom of expression and the life of a cloistered nun. Although she grew up singing in the mountains, Maria feels her destiny lies in God’s service at the Abbey. The sisters disagree. They believe the fun-loving postulant isn’t quite right for the devout religious order. When fate and the Mother Abbess intervene, Maria is sent on a worldly assignment. She becomes temporary governess to seven unruly children and opposition to their rigid father.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC hit Broadway in 1959 capturing five Tony Awards including Best Musical. The 1965 film version, starring Julie Andrews, garnered five Academy Awards including Best Picture. THE SOUND OF MUSIC,  based on the memoirs of Maria Augusta Trapp, has been one of the world’s ‘favorite things’ for over sixty-five years. The beloved score by Oscar Hammerstein II (lyrics) and Richard Rodgers (music) has produced timeless classics like the inspirational “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the delightful “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” and the iconic “The Sound of Music.”

In today’s political climate, the book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse is particularly relevant. Beyond the Abbey and household skirmishes, the real threat is Hitler’s invasion of Austria. The accelerating Nazi presence is both in foreign oppressors and domestic sympathizers. Lindsay and Crouse’s script has characters grappling to be complaisant, complicit or defiant. A pivotal scene has a disturbed Kevin Earley (Captain) singing an emotional “Edelweiss” in front of a propaganda backdrop of Nazi flags. The related-able emotional conflict is palpable.           

DirectorJack O’Brien orchestrates this musical with mountainous flow. With the help of Douglas W. Schmidt’s scenic designs, fortress walls give way to nature and a mansion flips easily from inside to out. The first act is particularly tight. In the lead, the winsome Cayleigh Capaldi (Maria) charms everyone… the nuns, the kids, the guests, the staff and eventually the Captain. Capaldi makes her first appearance with an amazing rendition of “The Sound of Music.” Her solo is the perfect balance of wistful and commanding. Later, she duets with a playful Christiane Noll (Mother Abbess) in “My Favorite Things.” And nod out to Noll’s riveting showstopper “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”

At the heart of the show is Capaldi with the kids. In a word, ‘adorbs!’ Their resistance melts away after a few rounds of “Do-Re-Mi.” She likes them. They like her. The affection feels especially real as Capaldi interacts with a lovelorn Ariana Ferch (Liesl) and precocious Haddie Mac (Brigitta). The romance with Earley has this surprising yet satisfying matter-of-fact vibe. Initially, their dance is an intimate flirtation. They then part ways and go to their respective corners. Their next encounter is a I-know-you-love-me-let’s-get-married inevitability. They seal their love with a passionate kiss and duet of “Something Good.”           

The whole show is one big love fest! If you’re looking for the perfect escape from tyranny, pull a Von Trapp… gather the family and run for the hills! Chicago is alive with THE SOUND OF MUSIC for a week and a half. Get to the Nederlander before these adorable kids sing their last “So Long, Farewell!”

Running Time: Two hours and forty-five minutes includes an intermission

At James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph Street

Suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Tripp

Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Music by Richard Rodgers

Directed by Jack O’Brien

Choreography by Danny Medford

Music Supervision and additional orchestrations by Andy Einhorn

Performances are:

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7pm

Saturdays at 2 pm  and 7:30pm

Sundays at 1 pm

Additional performances: Oct 26 at 6:30pm and Oct 29 at 1pm

Thru November 2

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Jeremy Daniel

For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago