Ohana Performing Arts

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Another raving review! The Sound of Music
A Review by

Bob Jacobs, PhD
Former Film and Drama Critic
The Santa Barbara News Press Newspaper
Santa Barbara, California

My troubled heart is seldom filled with surprise, comfort and joy these days. It was last night at the Willard Renew Church by the Ohana Performing Arts company’s glorious production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical, THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
The story of the Von Trapp family’s escape from Austria, as Hitler’s minions annexed the country and the horror which was to follow, was told in sweet music, sweet young actor/singers, and sweetest of all, love conquering evil.
Told from the moment a lovely postulant from the abbey in Salzburg- Maria, is sent away by the Mother Abbess to find herself as governess to the seven children of Captain Georg Von Trapp, a forlorn widower who lost his music along with his wife, the play cascades through the revelation of the hidden great talents of the children, the rejuvenation and reconciliation of the captain with his family, the blossoming of true love between he and Maria culminating in their marriage played out in front of the impending N**I doom coming toward them. As that monstrous calamity is literally enveloping both family and community, the Von Trapps, one and all, escape to freedom and the worldwide fame awaiting them as The VonTrapp Family Singers. A totally true story brought to life and gladdening hearts and souls in this youth production.
And therein lies amazement. With one or two upper teenage exceptions, if one counts 18 as ‘adult’, every one of the fifty+ cast members are children from 5 years old through 17. And that includes the eight very gifted backstage crew that managed complex set and scene changes, and there were many, flawlessly in the dark!
The quite large cast including diminutive characters playing trees, birds, Edelweiss, breeze and a mountain stream, and then older cast members became townsfolk, a barroom party, abbey nuns in full habit, a dancing goat, a gruesome N**I admiral and cowardly traitors, completed the whole, lively spectacle that brought the story to life. Too many to name, but they were, everyone, remarkable, memorable players.
The fifteen musical production numbers, staged, directed and choreographed brilliantly by Ohana founder/epic director, Diann Ruesch, along with choreographer Angie Hatch and vocal directors Jill Bryant and Ruth Robertson brought out the stars of the show. The leads were Taylor Chapman as Maria and Gavin Erickson as Captain Von Trapp.
Chapman has the singing voice of an angel and the inner spirit of a prize fighter which she displayed in her first confrontation with the stubborn Captain. She won that encounter handily! She was for me the embodiment of Maria with a singing range and timbre far beyond her years.
The retired, very distinguished and disciplined VonTrapp, a heavy character in any professional hands, was played with truly astonishing ease by a budding actor at 16. He was mature., handsome, and strong, as well as amiable and a man of many parts as he transitioned from domineering to caring and loving. Bravo Gavin Erickson.
The seven Von Trapp children, scene stealers all, just have to be named here as they are the reason for the whole story. No kids, no Maria, no Captain. So, Liesl- 16 going on 17 was Alizee Pfister, Friedrich hitting high G note in his solo and shocking the audience is Scene Stealer number 1- Brock Erickson, Louisa, by Millie Chapman, Kurt- Emmet Hatch, Brigitta is Megan Hatch, Marta was Clara Pfister, and tiny very cute- Gretl was Rachel Ruesch.
I can’t forget the character of Rolph who courts Liesl than gives in to become a N**I played by Eli Ruesch and the inimitable Max Detweiler, old, show-promoting friend of the Captain’s who arranges the family’s escape in the end performed with verve by Walter Grout.
There are many other standouts in this incredible, cast of singing, dancing, young professionals. Among them are Mother Abbess Lanie Rice who thrilled me with Climb Every Mountain, Sister Berthe played on alternating shows by Abigail Boyd and Addie Bryant.
Masterful use of the church space as multiple scenes outdoors in the Alps, interior of the Abbey, the Von Trapp mansion, he Salzburg Concert Stage and final dark passage over the mountain are a credit to all the amazing parents of these wunderkinds who gave hours and hours of their time and talent to construction, lighting, props, costumes and stage tech. This is truly, family theater.
I have reviewed dozens of professional plays and several musicals. This one stands alone as a most impressive achievement. I advise theatre goers to GO enjoy it!

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