The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music
National Touring Company
June 21-26, 2016
Buell Theater
Denver, CO

The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved movies of all time. In fact, it is more famous as a film than a stage musical. Most people are familiar with the songs and the storyline. However, the stage production is different and has a charm of its own.

This touring production was well cast. Maria practically sparkled with her enthusiasm and it was believable that she was a handful with the nuns at the convent where the story begins. The Von Trapp children were talented and interacted well with each other. Captain Von Trapp’s disciplined ways were not over the top.


The staging of the show was beautiful. The hills were often present in the background – almost becoming a character in their own right. The set smoothly changed from an ancient church to a luxurious mansion. Each set drew you in to the beauty of their beloved Austria homeland.

One exception to this would be the scene in the concert hall just after the German invasion. The backdrop was made of five huge red flags with swastikas emblazoned on them. The effect made the audience uncomfortable – sharing the feelings of Captain Von Trapp.

The name of the show is The Sound of Music for good reason. The music is beautiful. Of course, the score by Rodgers and Hammerstein is among the best ever written, but the way it was performed was worthy of the material. It was fun and playful and then serious and moving. Every song perfectly fit the mood of the scene.

But no song was more powerful than “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” While the actress playing Mother Superior struggled a bit (it wouldn’t surprise me if the altitude was the culprit), but she was able bring the house down by the finale.

This production was so well staged that the many children in the audience stayed captivated by it.