Day 402- The Pittsburgh Hills are Alive with CLO’s Sound of Music

 

The Sound of Music is one of those musicals that most have seen either in a school production, or on  TV during the holiday run of the movie with Julie Andrews. The 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is a masterpiece. Even with so much play, this show never loses its appeal because it is about love, strength and hope. This CLO production hits the mark of perfection with its set, vocals, and characters, bringing Pittsburgh alive with the Sound of Music.

The children actors are as charming as the vocals.

Reflection

There are some historical truths to the story that takes place in 1938 Austria during the rise of Nazism in the country. Maria becomes a governess to the seven Von Trapp children following the death of their mother. She is in training to become a nun but falls in love with the children and eventually Captain Von Trapp. They become the Trapp Family Singers and flee the country when the Captain is ordered to accept a commission in the German Army.

Maria(Hanley Smith) has the vocal energy and spunk of the loving governess 

The overture, Nuns in the Abby, Maria and the Von Trapp children will have you singing along with “My Favorite Things,” “Do Re Mi” and “Maria.”  The children are as charming as their voices. Maria (Hanley Smith) has the vocal energy and spunk of a loving governess. The Captain (Will Ray) is dapper with a smooth tone to his voice. Mother Abbess (Danielle Dalli)  stops the show at the end of the first half, eliciting wild applause with her powerful pipes in “Climb Every Mountain.”

“Edelweiss,” a heartfelt farewell to Austria as the country succumbs to the Nazi party, gave me goosebumps. No matter how many times I see this show, I always cheer on the Von Trapp's escape. It makes you rejoice, “the hills are alive with the sound of music” but this time it is Pittsburgh that is alive, thanks to the CLO.

(The CLO offers quality  summer Pittsburgh  musical theater at reasonable seating prices which gives more  the opportunity to experience the joy of musicals. The Sound of Music runs July 11-16. For tickets and to learn more about  CLO's 2023 summer season go to https://www.pittsburghclo.org/ or Trustarts.org)

Other sources

Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvQ4t-Nk128

* My favorite Things-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IagRZBvLtw

*Do Re Mi-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drnBMAEA3AM

*Climb Every Mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OtZ2h2swik

* link to movie version of songs 

Photo Credit- Kgtunney Photography