Sound Of Music - Ahmanson Theater

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 9/30/15 at 2:26am

Hadn't read much about this revival of Sound Of Music which is currently in previews in LA but decided to check it out, I've never had the opportunity to see this classic live on stage.

Casting of the three leads (Kersten Anderson as Maria, Ben Davis as  Capt. Von Trapp and Ashley Brown as Mother Abess) is spot on and each brings a unique, youthful approach to their respective iconic characters.  Their voices soar.

The same cannot be said for this production - I felt like the set design and costume design was severely lacking - in fact the marketing materials from CTG call the show "lavish" but the entire production seems steeped not so much in artistic vision but more plain ol' simple ready for bus and truck.  It's actually shocking that the show looks as cheap as it does.

Majorly disappointed in this production and that Center Theater Group allowed such a flimsy production on it's stage.  Curious to see how the critics feel about the show...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bk]

Posted: 9/30/15 at 4:10am

I would disagree about the set, which I liked but would agree about the lighting which I did not like.  Ashley Brown was terrific, didn't love the Captain, and I think the Maria will get better and I don't really blame her or any of the actors for what I found to be shortcomings - those I lay at the foot of the director.  But it's nice to see the actual show (save for An Ordinary Couple) without the movie additions (save for Something Good, which, for me, is just as bad a song as Ordinary Couple).  I'm not a fan of "artistic vision" and I'm also not a fan of subtext played as text.  The audience reaction was mild until Climb Ev'ry Mountain, which brought out, for the first time, the usual schoolish hooting and hollering.  When the Captain and Maria finally kissed there were a bunch of adults in the audience who reacted like grammar school children.  But nothing about audiences surprises me any more these days.

The orchestra is sixteen pieces, so it's not quite the sound of the Sound of Music, but they sounded good.  I thought the kids were directed to play it low energy and "real" - that's admirable but it doesn't make for any fun at all and therefore it's a bad choice.