BY LORI SPEISER
The Sound of Music is currently running at the CM Performing Arts Center as part of their 50th season! This well-loved story has been performed many times over the years. I went hoping it would be good, and I ended up being blown away by the talent and was totally enthralled.
The book, The Story of the Trapp Family was developed into a musical by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. This musical, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II has continued to be a favorite since its original Broadway production in 1959 when it won five Tony Awards and then to a broader audience in 1965 when 20th Century Fox released a film adaptation which won five Oscars.
CM Performing Arts Center’s production was successfully directed by Jordan Hue and choreographed by Dana McDonald. Costume Designer Ronald R. Green III provided great costumes from cute outfits for the children to beautiful gowns and of course the wedding dress and he also lent his talents to the beautiful sets.
The entire cast was terrific, but the star of the show was certainly Katie Ferretti who sympathetically and joyously portrayed Maria! Her beautiful voice is clear and strong whether singing softly or boisterously. She held the stage.
Steve Corbellini as Captain von Trapp easily alternated between strictness and tenderness. His lovely baritone voice especially lent itself to the tender moments.
Mary Caufield successfully portrayed Elsa Schraeder without harshness and a welcome addition of some wry humor. Max Detweiler was humorously depicted by Ronnie Green garnering some great laughs from the audience. Please note some occasional subtle humor from Jack McShane as the butler Franz.
I know some of you will be curious about the children; they were all wonderful combining sweetness, energy and cheekiness. (I saw the green cast: Michael Coppola Jr, Paige Mathers, Elliot Torbenson, Kendel Gravano, Colbie Gravano and Sadie Matthews, but am confident the blue cast will be equal to the task.) Their performances are probably a combination of their innate talent, found by great casting, and I am sure through the thoughtful direction of Jordan Hue. They were each given moments to showcase their splendid voices.
Other highlights include Courtney O’Shea as Liesel with her beautiful voice, especially in “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” with Will Brennan as Rolf. The children always entertain, particularly with “So Long, Fairwell“.
Another group generating much applause due to their notable voices are the nuns. Dara Lifschutz, Kara Vertucci, and Tiara Solorzana entertained with strong singing and clear harmonies in the hymns and the humorous “Maria“. They were joined by the extremely impressive Emily Nadler as the Mother Abbess who shines in “Climb Every Mountain“.
My conclusion? Go! Get your tickets soon as there are only 10 performances in all. You will smile, laugh, get caught up in the story and you might even tear up once or twice. A great evening out!
The Sound of Music is playing at CM Performing Arts Center from March 25th through April 16th, 2023. The theater is located at 931 Montauk Hwy, Oakdale, NY 11769. For tickets call the box office at (631) 218-2810, , or purchase them online.
