The Sound of Music - review

[Jane Zussman]

Evolve Theatrics is celebrating their 20th Anniversary with a grand production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music — and you’d better get those tickets online asap because tonight’s full-house/standing ovation crowd will be telling their friends.

Director Helen Hart has assembled a remarkable cast of great singers to inhabit these roles. The music is impressive, utilizing a lush pre-recorded soundtrack. Music Director Josiah Scott has presided over excellent choruses of nuns and children. The choral work is wonderful. 

Delta Presbyterian Church has been a supportive ally in allowing their sanctuary to grow a platform stage with two mountain-mural flats off to each side, painted by Lynn Davis. The elevated stage bumps the church venue up a notch toward actual-theatre sight lines. Set design by Bob Hill enabled quick set changes, but this is still a long show: three hours and ten minutes (which includes a 15 minute intermission.)

Josie Isbell was a wonderful Maria, embodying the childlike effervescence of the “troublesome” would-be nun and growing into the devoted stepmother/wife — with an outstanding voice. Another stellar voice was Dr. Melanie Walker as the Mother Abbess, also making her Evolve debut. She is a classically trained soprano and voice teacher and gives her all to her soaring anthems. Marty Snitgen tackled the difficult role of Captain Georg von Trapp evolving out of his gruff beginnings. Caitlin Christianson was appropriately gushing and garish as the Georg’s would-be wife, Elsa Schrader. Mike Stewart played the charmingly compromising Max Detweiler with natural aplomb. Philip Andrew Connor “jumped in on late notice” into the role of Rolf to woo the winsome Liesl (Carlyanna Smith) making her debut with Evolve.

 

Evolve’s The Sound of Music continues July 19, 20 and 25, 26 at 7:30 pm (3pm Sunday the 20th only) 

at Delta Presbyterian church 6100 W Michigan Ave Lansing, MI  48917 just east of Creyts Road. 

All Seats are reserved and may be purchased at: 
http://www.evolvetheatrics.com/tickets

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

To review past emails as they were sent, click “About the G.L.U.T.” and choose “email list” from the drop-down menu — also check out the all-theatres calendar.

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